Stop and Stretch...
By Bella GraceHow was it? Did you feel anything? Do you feel better?
Ok, Now try this:
STRETCH your mind...go way out from your day to day flow.
STRETCH your way of thinking...remove your thoughts and apply your dream(s).
STRETCH your eyelids over your eyes...begin to see your dream(s) in a reality state of being.
STRETCH your mouth...and let positive words flow from it.
STRETCH your words and let life, not death flow from it.
STRETCH your perception of time...understand that your delay is not a denial. Go forward and make that dream a reality.
Now I ask you how do you feel?
Stop sitting around waiting on someone else to make you feel better. Get up and get moving. Put your faith at work. And once you get to moving, don't look back. I love you so much but more importantly God does.
Be encouraged. Be inspired. Be who He created you to be.
Love,
Bella Grace
What is a Thriver?
By Jenny“Sisterhood is many things. It’s a warm smile on a cold and rainy day, a friendly hug, a cheerful hello… It’s all that a good and lasting friendship is, only better. It’s treasured. It’s sacred. It’s knowing that there will always be someone there for you. It’s dreams shared, and goals achieved. It’s counting on others and being counted on. It is real.”
This post dedicated to all my Archangel Sisters. I love each and every one of you!
This morning I was charged with the task of defining what “thriver” means to me. I compiled a list of the first words that came to mind: self knowing, embracing life, living to the fullest, empowered, open, secure, unbroken, girl power, liberated, and vibrant. It was a good start. However, truly grasping the essence of thriving is not something that can be broken down and explained on paper. It’s something that needs to be felt.
The most wonderful thing happens when you attend the My Avenging Angel Workshops and follow-up sessions. You become part of a sisterhood: a loving, accepting, flaw embracing community of women committed to improving not only their own lives, but also the lives of others. That is where the thriver energy emanates. It comes from each and every woman.
The Angels are a diverse group- coming in every shape, size, age, color, and religion- a reminder that domestic violence does not discriminate. Yet, we do not dwell on our past. Instead, we celebrate the beauty of our differences and bond over a common experience. Surprisingly, it’s not the trauma or past suffering that brings us together. It is the desire to bring about change- in ourselves and in the world that binds us. Together, we see a future filled with limitless possibilities. In each of us there is hope, faith, and the courage to embark on a journey to a more fruitful and fulfilling life. We give each other strength. Our ties cross town and state lines across this country. We are feminism at its best- an abuser’s worst nightmare! Are motto: “Living well is the best revenge”.
Being a thriver is more than becoming a self-aware, self-loving individual. It is about belonging and becoming part of a community. The community is necessary to impact other lives. It’s the sense of sisterhood that helps to empower us. I could not imagine what a difficult journey it would be, or it even being possible to thrive without a strong support network. No one individual is self-sufficient enough not to need a shoulder to cry or lean on during hard times. A house is only as good as the foundation it is built upon, and the individual is no different. You are only as solid as your base. In this respect I have been very lucky (not only to have the Angels, but also the unconditional love of my amazing family, friends, and boyfriend who always back me 100% - equally in success and failure).
I am so grateful to belong to such an awe-inspiring group of women. Each is a blessing in a my life, a window to the possibilities of how the future could be. I am fortunate to not only have such a tremendous family (both by blood and bond), but to be part of one. Knowing that I play a role helping and healing others is more healing and empowering than anything I could achieve on my own.
If you reside in or near Connecticut and are interested in moving beyond survivor to thriver please visit Susan Omilian’s website for more information on the FREE My Avenging Angels Workshops. You can also email me at runningthriver@gmail.com.
If you do not live near Connecticut and are still interested in joining the Thriver community, check out the Thriver Workbook. In it you will find many of the exercises Susan uses in her workshops. You can also check out The Thriverzone.
As always, thank you for reading! Please feel free to share
any of the information here if you know someone who can benefit
from it (just give credit back to the site please 
) Comments and feedback are always welcome
and appreciated. Good luck in your Thriver Journey!!!
Purple Running
By Jenny“Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.”
- Unknown
I have officially launched my Running for the Color Purple Campaign! I will be running in the upcoming Half Diva Marathon in Long Island Oct. 2, followed by the Hartford Marathon Oct. 15 in an effort to raise money for CT-ALIVE (CT Alliance of Victims of Violence and their Families). October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so the timing could not be better for both raising funds and awareness. I also intend on using my future marathon running to continue this campaign.
I would strongly encourage other runners not currently running for charity to consider doing the same. You don’t need to necessarily support domestic violence, but can find an organization that is important to you.
One in four women in this country has or will experience
domestic abuse in her lifetime.
Approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted
by an intimate partner annually in the US
Approximately one in five female high school students
reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating
partner.
On average, more than three women are murdered by their
intimate partners in this country every day.
Only one third of injured female rape and physical
assault victims recieve medical treatment
Women of all races are about equally vulnerable to
violence by an intimate partner.
Intimate partner violence affects people regardless of
income.
Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personally
know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic
violence.
Forty percent of girls age 14 to 17 report knowing
someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a
boyfriend.
Studies suggest that between 3.3 – 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
As a survivor of domestic violence, this cause is very important
to me. CT-ALIVE has personally touched my life, and I can
attest to the amazing services they provide to women attempting
to put their lives back together after abuse. They offer
these programs and services free of charge to victims,
which is why fundraising is so important.
The Connecticut Alliance for Victims of Violence & Their Families Inc. (CT-ALIVE), is a Connecticut non-profit corporation which is tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Tax Code. CT-ALIVE was established in May of 2002 by a group of survivors of homicide that wanted to help other survivors heal after the horrific trauma they had experienced.
Your generous donation to CT-ALIVE will help provide services to victims of violence and their families under several of our Projects. You can also Sponsor Our Event.
To donate to CT-ALIVE’s work, events or services, click below to pay by credit card or send a check payable to “CT-ALIVE” to P.O. Box 330083, West Hartford, CT 06133. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Domestic Violence affects not just the individual, but also the family and community of the victims. It’s time to let go of the stigma associated with abuse and start talking about it. Education and awareness are crucial. Please show your support, spread the word, and DONATE!
If you are interested in joining me or learning more leave a com
