EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

This time of the year, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, is one of happiness and joy; but for many it is one of sadness. No doubt you may be thinking about the pain of the abuse you suffered. And even though you are starting your life over, the memories remain, both good and bad. You will remember the Thanksgiving Day when there were no fights. The joyous Christmas mornings when there was peace and love flowing at home. The squeals of joy from your children when they opened their presents. Most assuredly, you will remember that New Year's Day when all hell broke loose. I know, been there.

Please don't think this post is about making light of your painful memories. Remember, I have them as well. But what I hope to accomplish is getting you to think about the days ahead. You may want to go to college, get that degree in law, or just get your GED. With our economy the way it is presently, you may have considered starting your own business. Work at home opportunities are just waiting to be created by someone as smart and determined as yourself.

So with these challenges in mind, I want to pause and bring you a music video for your down days. We all have them, and domestic violence will cause them to resurface over and over again, if we focus on them. Just in case this happens to be one of those days that you are wondering how you are going to make it, just stop thinking about it for a moment. I know that sounds easier said than done. But you know what? It works!

When my brain is on overload, I have to do something to ease the pressure. Watching this video isn't enough. I want you to get up from your seat, and shake some booty. It doesn't matter if your can't dance, so what! Just get up and shake it off anyhow.

Things may not be all that you would like them to be right now, but with faith and trust in God, your situation will get better. You have to believe this.

I promise you this really cute video of dancing penguins will put a smile on your face. Music is a great healer. But do yourself a favor and stay away from those "somebody done somebody wrong songs." They will only make you depressed and think about things that you want to forget. Looking back will only arrest your development. It serves no purpose. Try listening to a different kind of music like soft jazz.

If the kids are down too, get them up and on the dance floor to dance with you. You have a lot to celebrate. You've made it through a really tough time, and you are still alive. Your better days are ahead, not behind you. There are many opportunities that await you, you just have to stay strong and positive. Don't forget this very real fact, there is life after the rain; life after the pain.

So promise me that you will GET UP AND SHAKE THAT BOOTY! Like the song says, "Everybody Dance Now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdyTEWEQYHQ

FREE SPRINT CapTel INTERNET CALLS

After years of suffering abuse, my mother lost the ability to hear out of her left ear. She never sought any help for her hearing loss, and I suppose she didn’t want to explain just how it happened. It isn’t easy for a person to admit to being a victim of domestic violence. But one thing is for sure; the violence does leave various permanent scars. Hearing loss is just one of the many results of physical abuse. But there is help out there if you are really in need of alternative hearing options.

There are many people who are ashamed to admit that they are suffering from hearing loss. And because of the shame, they don’t seek or take advantage of the many services that are available to them. Perhaps one reason is that our American society places much emphasis on physical perfection. Another reason may be that many people associate hearing loss with age, and hardly anyone wants to admit to getting older. Well news flash - hearing loss happens for many reasons, and does not necessarily have anything to do with age, and none of us are perfect.

Living with hearing loss is quite an adjustment, especially when there is no explanation for the loss. I don’t know how my hearing loss came about five years ago; neither my Audiologist nor I can explain it, and it is very frustrating. Prior to losing my hearing, I used to talk on the phone a lot. I knew that in order to stay connected to the people that I love, and to the world in general, I had to research my options. One such option was my TTY phone, but I found that the screen was a bit too small for me. You could only read so much text at one time, and I wasn’t very interested in learning the TTY lingo. This style of communicating wasn't for me.

Since I am on my computer a lot, I signed up for “free” Internet captioning calls with Sprint CapTel, and Hamilton CapTel. Sprint CapTel, allows enables you to have a “free” captioned, word-for-word telephone conversation over the Internet. There is no special equipment required, for you just talk on your phone and read what the other person is saying on your computer screen. Mind you, there is a third party involved, a professional captioner who is “fully trained” to provide this service. You won’t hear the conversation via your computer, just through your phone, but you will see what the captioner is typing in real-time. You can use your home phone or cell phone. I made a call from my cell phone, and it really works.

Whether you use a PC or MAC, it will work with both. Also, when you sign up for this service, you will provide your telephone number, the phone that you will be calling from. However, your callers will be provided with an 800 number to dial into Sprint CapTel. Sprint also offers “Call Me” cards that you can give out to people with your 800 number. With the 800 number, you can receive captioned calls from anyone; however, you will have to be at your computer to receive them. I do believe that there will be a log for the calls that you missed. I haven’t gotten that far yet. The calling cards are the size of a business card and they are beautiful. You could print them out on glossy card stock, and they are in a PDF format. Sounds great? Well, here is the link to the Sprint CapTel site for more information: https://www.sprintcaptel.com/index.asp.

One final note, please read the "Acceptable User Policy and Agreement." This service is free, however, you still have to abide by the rules. Some of the policies include, not using their service for other purposes and most importantly, "By using Sprint IP Relay or Sprint WebCaptel for emergency calling you agree that Sprint and it’s subcontractors and suppliers are not responsible for any damages resulting from errors, defects, malfunctions, interruptions or failures in accessing or attempting to access emergency services through Sprint IP Relay whether caused by the negligence of Sprint or otherwise."

If you have an emergency and you need to make a 911 call, please use the traditional means, your home telephone or cell phone. The calls will be dialed directly this way, and it is the safest way.

AFTER THE RAIN

Didn’t know how I was gonna make it,
All I could see was the rain.
Didn’t have many happy thoughts,
My life was filled with pain.

I took that chance to change my life,
Had to leave the fighting and the strife.
Made up my mind, “Enough is enough!”
Didn’t care that the leaving would be tough.

So here I am, and on my own,
Wasn’t my choice that I’d be alone.
But I am strong, and I will maintain,
For now I believe, in life after the rain.

Got a new attitude, a new point of view,
Everyday is a good day to learn something new.
The thought of you will still remain.
But I thank God always, no more you, no more pain.
(Copyright-2008)- Terry Loving

Speak for Success Women's Leadership Institute