Reaching Out

CAREER PATHS

"I dread Going back to work - it's been a long time since I've been employed. Do I have any skills?" "I want to pursue a better paying job. Where do I begin?"

Tending the Garden of Your Life

Gwenyth M. DeLee

This year John and I spent 3 weeks at a lake cottage where our children and grandchildren could visit with us. While we were away, a lot was going on at home in our garden. The plants doubled, tripled, quadrupled in size, and when I returned home, I could hardly identify what had been a lovely garden that soothed me in the midst of a very busy life, because it was being devoured by weeds and overgrown perennials. The mere sight of it jarred my insides!

A similar garden analogy can take place in our living environment as well. Take, for instance, the home. If drawers, floors, closets, cabinets and counters have become crowded with STUFF you haven't weeded out, you will feel no peace, and you will carry the burden of your STUFF with you everywhere. It's true, it follows you wherever you go! Haven't you noticed that yet? I'll bet you've been trying to figure out why you never can really relax, even when you're sitting down to relax. It's the STUFF waiting to be organized, or RE-organized. Trouble is, we keep thinking that we just don't have time to keep everything organized. I have a little insight that might be revolutionary for you. Getting organized and staying organized is relatively easy when you don't have too much STUFF! We have proven this time and again with people whose home environment is cluttered and disorganized. Get rid of the clutter, and the organization becomes simple!

What is it that threatens the beauty of your life? Is it overrun with debris? Do you have sentimental attachments to things that add no beauty or value to your life? Are you afraid to rid your life of excess STUFF that is robbing your life of its beauty? In order for a garden to have a pleasing effect, it must have some empty spaces to give the eye and mind a reprieve, a rest. The same truth applies in every other area of our life.

If you make some of the following statements on a regular basis, clutter is probably the problem: "I don't know where to begin", "I've just got to get organized", "I feel so overwhelmed!" The second clue is this: when you look around your living spaces, have all the empty spaces disappeared that would offer the eye (and the mind) some reprieve? If so, stop trying to organize all the clutter, and get rid of it anyway you can, as fast as you can! The final clue for diagnosing your problem is this: When you are in your personal living spaces, do you feel agitated, confused, tired, and discouraged? It's clutter...treat it as the enemy, because it's no friend to you; it will rob you of the ability to think clearly or get to places on time, or to delegate (who can put things away that have no home?) It will make you curse, and mutter to yourself. All very unbecoming and thoroughly disruptive to the beauty of your life's garden!

There are many ways to take control of your own life. Our seminars are geared to help you gain competence and confidence in the five most important areas: personal growth, finances, home, family and health. It's important that you gain mastery in these areas, because they affect not only you, but everyone around you as well. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to enhance the garden of your life.

Peace and love to you all,

Gwen

"Funding Corner"

The family is the most important building block of our society. My wife, Vicki, and I have always made family our top priority. When we were engaged, we read volumes on child rearing in preparation for beginning our own successful family. Our style of parenting is very interactive: We involve ourselves in our children's school activities, music, scouting, and athletics as volunteers, leaders and "cheerleaders". In our home, a high priority is placed on our spiritual life. We attend church regularly, our children belong to youth groups and periodically we go on spiritual retreats to reflect and regroup. Most importantly we pray together as a family every day and count on God's grace to bridge the gaps where our parenting falls short.

A strong family is essential to our culture; it is a safe place where a child can develop a healthy self image and their creativity and talents can be nurtured. A strong family provides the environment where children can grow into mature, confident adults who can contribute positively to society.

It is for this reason I am a member of the Home Management Board of Directors and serve on the Fund Development committee. Our task in the mission is to help Home Management Resources establish a solid financial footing for the important work of strengthening families. Although we have graduated hundreds of families from the program, we feel we have just begun here in Michiana and beyond!

Each summer, I have chaired a Notre Dame Football raffle to support the work of Home Management Resources. It's easy to purchase raffle tickets but your must HURRY! - the drawing will be held August 17, 2001. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10.00 each. Only 500 tickets will be sold. _ HYPERLINK mailto:nlotthmr@aol.com __nlotthmr@aol.com_.

So, CALL - 219-233-3486 NOW! Or order on line at www.hmresources.org.

David Niswonger

Fund Development Committee

NEW CLASS OFFERED!

Recovering alcoholics have an appropriate way of describing the force that prompted their move to get well…"I got sick and tired of being sick and tired!" That sentiment can also be echoed by many who are not alcoholics.

Are you tired most of the time?

Do you suffer from frequent headaches, constipation, asthma, allergies, sinus problems, high blood pressure, sugar problems, high cholesterol, aching joints, or depression?

Are you overweight and a candidate for heart attack, stroke, cancer or joint replacement?

Are you ready to get really healthy, full of energy and vitality?

Do you want to feel better but don't know what to do? Are you ready to do something about your situation, or need more structure and guidance in a program you've begun?

Then "Let's Get Healthy" is for you! You will find lifestyle changes you can live with in this class that will get your really well. Our program is simple to understand and if you follow it, profound in its results. There will be a food sampling in every class. The seminar is purposely affordable at only $25 for the 12-week class. Here's the catch: class size is limited to 16 people. If you're serious about becoming healthy and fit, and willing to commit 12 weeks to learn how to do it, sign up today.

If you would like to learn more, call 219-233-3486 to register for "Let's Get Healthy".

"Speaking Out"

Speaking Out is a new feature for you, our readers. Write in and tell us what changes you've made in your life. We want to hear what ideas you have tried that have improved the relationship with your kids, or the order in your home. Tell us in your own words what you care about and what you want to share with others. With each issue of "Reaching Out" turn to "Speaking Out" to find tips and practical advice on a wide range of topics, from parenting to decluttering; budgeting to personal reflections. Do you have something you want to "Speak Out" about? Write to us, or send us an e-mail and we'll share it in the next "Speaking Out"!

MOVING?

Don't miss your issue of "REACHING OUT". We use 'Bulk Mail' for our newsletter which does not get forwarded. If you're planning a move soon, be sure to send us an e-mail from our web site!

Material Needs

Do you have any of the following items that you could donate?

Blenders

Heavy Duty Standing Mixer

Dehydrator

Large set dishes

Large area rug

Office desk lamps

 

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1201 Northside Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46615
(Between IUSB and the Farmers Market)
574-233-3486, fax 574-234-7220