A shout out to a fellow writer/blogger over at "The Writing Life"

I've joined several online writing groups both to connect with other writers as well as to get inspiration from them. After all, we all share a love for writing but what we draw from to bring our words out varies. This week, I found great inspiration from a fellow blogger and thought of those following this blog when I read her post.

She wrote a powerful post called Give It A Rest where she bravely talks about her struggles with anxiety and how she's worked hard to deal with and overcome it without shame.

There are many of us who are living with anxiety (myself included!) who often hide away from the world, fearful of being judged or rediculed, rather than just getting out there and living. Please do as this blogger has done and choose the latter. Life has too many beautiful things for us to enjoy to hide from it.

Thank you for this post and for allowing me to share it with our followers! I'm sure you will touch many with your thoughts.

Welcome! And Taking Another Step to the New Me!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you're having a great kick off to this long weekend (at least here in Canada!)

First I wanted to send a big 'WELCOME' to all of our new friends who have chosen to follow the 'White Elephants' blog. We plan to work on the blog as the weeks go by making this a more friendly and interactive place. That's my hope. So, thank you for joining us! Feel free to leave comments, ask questions and share our blog with others who may need a place to connect through.

The other thing I'd like to share is that I had some minor corrective laser surgery on my face yesterday. I had to correct some damage done from silly Sun Worshipping I did in my youth but I also got really messy spider veins removed. It's going to take a few treatments but it felt good. The spider veins are partly a result of giving birth (four times)--very tough births. But they were also the result of a near-deadly eating disorder I suffered with for many years and other things I've left behind long ago.

I'm a bit swollen, bruised and sore but it feels good. It's like closing another chapter from my past that I've dealt with but haven't completely been allowed to leave behind. Once my face heals, I'll be able to look at a clean, fresh face as part of my clean, fresh start to my life.

How have all of you done this or continue trying to do this? It's important never to forget the past but equally as important not to let it stay in our present. We learn from it; we don't let it define us. Feel free to share your thoughts and insight!

A Book To Help Caregivers Talk To Their Child About Sexual Abuse

My Body Belongs To Me by Jill Starishevsky (Safety Star Media, September 1, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0-9821216-0-3

As our children grow up, there are many issues we need to talk them about: Looking both ways before crossing the street, dangers in the house we need to be careful of, not talking to strangers, appropriate ways to behave and treat others, and sex. But one of the most difficult talks we need to have with our children is talking about appropriate and inappropriate touching. How does one even begin a talk like that? How does a parent approach this uncomfortable but very important discussion? I've come across a wonderful tool.

TUNE IN Tuesdays: Working Through the Rough Times

Like all of you, I've gone through some rough times in my life--I still do! I've worked very hard to become a proactive person who turns to more effective ways of coping than to using crutches. It's so easy to lean back onto those crutches, isn't it? And it doesn't matter what you lean on--drugs, food, sex, shopping, the Internet--it only gives you temporary comfort.

Defining Yourself

In my last post, I talked about the importance of defining ourselves in life. It doesn't matter what we've gone through, what's been done to us or what hardships we've had to face, those experiences to not define who we are or what we become in life.

One thing I promised myself many years ago was that I'd never allow myself to be the statistic that society says I should be. Just because I've been abused, it doesn't mean I will abuse or that I'll become addicted to drugs or alcohol or that I'll be afraid to achieve anything less than success. That's not to say it's been easy. There have been times when those tapes start playing in my head--you know the ones filled with negative statements or that beat me up--and it's difficult to turn them off. But I have to. And so do you.

You may remember in early June we had author Madeline Sharples visit us with a guest post on her experience of raising, and losing, her child who lived with bipolar and other mental health issues. She didn't allow that experience to define her life or to change her. She used it to move forward and help others. That's what I hope to do too. I am honored to be a guest over at her incredible blog, CHOICES, discussing the importance of defining ourselves. I'd love for you to check it out, leave a comment and/or share it with anyone you think may need that support right now.

Until next time...

Resource in the Spotlight: Zebra House Child Protection Centre

Zebras are curious creatures: They look like horses, they sound like donkeys and they have the most unique coloring in nature. The most significant thing about this beautiful animal is how protective they are of their young. When faced with danger, the entire zebra community forms a circle around its youngest member, assuring their safety. And that's the premise behind today's Resource in the Spotlight:

Zebra House Child Protection Centre