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welcome! to emotional feelings, 4!
after looking things over here at emotional feelings, 4,
try out "the layer down under," (part of the emotional feelings
network of sites) & read a special "i just gotta say it" column concerning porn addiction by clicking here! Be sure to scroll down towards the bottom of the right hand column to find it!
just
another great suggestion... visit the homepage! you can read more about the emotional feelings network of sites there, as well
as, a heads up about who is feeling what emotions within the network each month!

I was personally very touched by this inspiring story as I watched it on
television last night (2/27/07); especially after I experienced a life altering injury which took me 2 years to recover from.
What I want to ask you is...
If you can't help out with the helmets, below for our military men, can
you volunteer or help our returning soldiers who are recovering with extreme traumatic brain injury?
Here are some links!
Check them out, I know that my family will be searching for a way we can help! Remember that those with traumatic injuries might develop mental health problems.
What is Operation Helmet?
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Robert H. Meaders whose grandson is an active duty Marine in Iraq, Operation Helmet is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated
to providing safer helmet pad upgrade kits to the troops in Iraq & Afghanistan.
To date, more than 6,000 kits have been shipped to the troops in the field.

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How this site works best for you!
You'll
notice that there are many underlined link words in each article below. The reason for this is that you have reached not only, "emotional
feelings, 4," but the emotional feelings network of sites. There are many sites included
within the network that'll be visited by clicking on these underlined link words.
If you can't find what you came
here looking for, visit the homepage for the emotional feelings network of sites by clicking above & read the options on
the homepage for the networks index of sites. Try to be specific when looking for an emotion or feeling word & click on the site you need!
It's very simple & very
interesting to follow your way thru the layers of your buried or stuffed emotions & feelings that have accumulated throughout the years!
when you've reached this point, or this website, you know you're making
progress!!!! this part gets difficult because now is the time to look within & become emotionally honest with yourself!!!
Best of luck & if you're
still stuck, send me an e-mail anytime, by clicking here & I'll be glad to send you an immediate personal response!
Sincerely,
Kathleen



When we Believe - Miracles Do Happen
by
Sharon L. Holliday
I'm aware of many miracles in my life today!
The first is my 19-year-old
daughter, who has grown into a wonderful, loving young woman. I'm grateful for the gift of her unconditional love.
We often speak about how she's
learned from my experiences. In my recovery, she's been my anchor & I believe that with her insight & her understanding,
I'm able to receive yet another miracle today.
Choices Some years ago, I arrived in California with the intention of getting well & then returning to my family. I had to choose between
staying here to remain well or returning home & risking that the cycle would start again. I searched my soul & decided
to stay & continue with my self-recovery & self-discovery.
When I didn't return, my husband became outraged & he divorced me. He made communication with my son impossible.
My daughter (from
my first marriage) was struggling with the pressure she felt. He questioned her loyalties & played mind games with her.
She became confused & depressed. The situation became unbearable for my children & I couldn't allow it to continue. My daughter felt she
had no other choice but to move out.
Unfortunately, my son was to remain with his father. I wasn't able to speak with him during this time.
After
several years of constant turmoil with my son's father, I returned to the Midwest to appear in court & fight for custody.
I was able to receive an immediate visit with supervision before court. When I arrived at court, joint custody was the ruling
with one condition - I return to the Midwest.
I felt if I moved back, I'd be jeopardizing myself,
my recovery & my children's future. I knew that being new to recovery & not having a support system in the Midwest, I'd be treading dangerous ground. I cried to God, for help!
I feared I'd lose my son forever & this broke my heart! I needed to find a way to share in my son's life & still keep my sanity. I returned to California, seeking safety & serenity in order to make my decision.
Acceptance
When I reflected on the visit with my son, I had feelings of comfort & relief. I was able to express my love for him & let him know that my feelings would never change, regardless of where I live. However, once I returned to California, the games began again.
All I knew at this point was that my son's well-being was suffering & I was miserable. I became depressed & I felt defeated. Hearing his pain when I called was too much to bear. He, too, had become
the trophy & the insanity had to stop.
I turned it over to God & found peace. I accepted that I had to take care of me in order to be prepared for the time when my son would be back in my life. I realized right then
that I hadn't been defeated.
What has helped my children thru the years is being able to spend time together. My daughter is able to express my love to him & this gives all of us comfort & hope.
Another year has passed since I last spoke with my son & just recently, my daughter
shared a conversation she had with her stepfather. He asked her to contact me. He wished to speak with me, concerning my son.
I was fearful, but I had to know if my son was all right.
Truth
I took the risk & contacted my ex-husband. I heard peace in his voice replacing the anger that used to be there. He realizes now that my son's needs are what are important. He wants our son to be happy & knows that, without his mother sharing his life, he will not be.
We both agreed that with time, patience & honest communication, we'd be able to work together for our son.
I then spoke with my son & hearing
his voice, my heart soared. I finally felt complete. My hope is to rebuild a relationship with my son. I know I can't get back the years we've missed, however, we can start
with today.
For whatever reason he was able to reach out to my daughter, I'll always be grateful.
I always believed that when I was ready to share in my son's life, God would help me find a way! This gave me the courage I needed to continue working in my recovery. I believed that I'd always done what was best for my children. God walked me thru the footwork & I believed. I remember now that when I'm consistent with my behavior, miracles can happen if I'm present to receive them.

My story about Anorexia
Ninety pounds. Finishing the muffin I had for lunch, I sit in the corner of the couch with a blanket covering my body.
My dad walks past to the kitchen without noticing (look for the power of noticing) me. This happens frequently; he just
doesn't see me.
A cool wind blows past stuck with it a scent of emotion. My body can't get comfortable on the seat, with my bones so cold & poking my skin. I'm lost, hidden in my own off-world. Everything is
okay in my off-world; it's warm & comforting.
Dinner time. Again? I'm not hungry.
I lay in bed, trying to sleep. Tossing & turning, curling up into a fetal ball, I can't get warm. My legs &
arms fall asleep therefore I stretch myself out on my back. I lay there with my hands resting in the slope between my hips
& stomach, my arms tight to my side.
Each breath & heartbeat, is slow & mucky. I quickly get up to run to the resort for the third time.
Breakfast. I can't eat now, too nervous.
I step on the scale, naked & shivering. Eighty-nine pounds. Not too bad, still have that stomach though! Walking
the long path to the building I pant &
feel exhausted, wanting to sleep right there on the sidewalk, if only it were warm.
I glance in the 3 way mirror. I can see my back, my ribs & spine all looking back at me. My butt sagging. I look
close to the mirror, my skin translucent. There are purple circles around my eyes. I've lost more than half my hair. What's
happened?
I can't eat without staring at the food. I pick it apart & push it around my plate. I can't keep up with all the
rules I have for myself. I constantly break them anyway. I'm horrid even to myself. I did this, I deserve the punishment.
It's all my fault. How [the hell] will I tell my parents?
I sit on the cold hard metal medical bed with a sheet of paper covering it, rehearsing over & over what I'll say
to the doctor. A woman comes in to weigh me & take my blood pressure. One hundred pounds. "When was your last period?"
She asked.
"Eight months ago." She proceeded to ask if I'd been pregnant or sick. "God, you're not throwing up are you?" Of course
not, that never worked.
I sit & wait more for the doctor, rehearsing again what I'd tell her, feeling quite defeated by the comments of the previous woman. Finally she comes & tells me, yes, it's Anorexia Nervosa.


Recovering from Job Loss by
Phil Rich, Ed.D., MSW
The New Reality of Job Loss
We've seen many
changes in the work environment over the past decade &
beyond, with multiple layoffs as companies have "down sized" & "right sized." Jobs once secure for life now rarely
exist & people entering the work force today are likely to experience multiple job changes during their careers.
The Impact of Job Loss
Much of the material
on job loss & getting back into the work force touches upon the need to "re-mount," instructing the reader to design a
plan & get back into the action. Appropriately, they
direct the reader to not fall into despair, self pity or anger. Many friends & family members will also urge
the reader to find a way to move on.
But all the pep
talks in the world can't necessarily overcome the real & deep reaching impact of job loss. It's important for newly fired people to not feel that there's something
wrong with them just because they can't follow the advice of family, friends & books & simply move on.

The Consequences of Job Loss
There are at least 2 primary
aspects to job loss:
- "practical" reality
- "emotional" reality
In the first case, job loss also means loss of income & benefits. In the second, there are equally real
emotional consequences:
The Work of Recovery & Rebuilding
The chances are that people will
find a new job. It may not be their 1st choice, but it'll resolve the practical realities.
But a new job doesn't necessarily lead to a satisfactory outcome, financially
or emotionally. Regardless of the new job, emotional issues may not be at all resolved.
Unresolved issues may significantly affect the way in which people see themselves.
In turn, this will directly influence the way they approach finding a new job, what they'll accept for employment & how they settle into their new job &
lifestyle. Accordingly, part of the work in job loss recovery is dealing with the emotional consequences.
Seeking & finding a job without
recognizing, understanding & addressing emotional consequences may
undermine successful recovery.

Recovering & Rebuilding After Job Loss
"Recovery" describes the ability to work thru a challenging time without becoming overcome by circumstances, swept away by emotions or feeling
defeated. It means coming thru intact & solvent & finding yourself,
not just back in the saddle, but emotionally
satisfied & perhaps stronger &
wiser.
The Stages of Recovery & Rebuilding
Viewing recovery as
a series of stages, each with a goal & tasks, is useful. It helps people understand their experience as a process that develops & changes over time & can help them to maintain their composure even when they may
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