STEPPING OUT ON FAITH

Ecclesiastes 1:9

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again.

Stepping out on faith isn't easy but sometimes, I believe God pushes us out there sometimes to give us a head start on what's to come, so that, we can walk into what He has for us.  Stepping out on faith is one admitting that you will be in the midst of the unknown but yet you rely on and are aware of the complete control that God has on your life.......Let that soak in for a minute .......

I've been placed in so many uncomfortable positions and situations in the past four years and God has opened so many doors for me to walk through, but because of fear, I chose not to walk through those doors.  It wasn't until a few weeks ago, I was pushed out of a familiar door in my life, yet another time.  I was ready to wait on God's direction, yet again.  It wasn't until this past Friday morning when I cried because I realized that God had moved me to the only option left which was to step out on faith and away from those uncomfortable positions and situations, I mentioned earlier.  I felt Him say to me, "Felicia, leave fear behind because it's holding you back from what I have in store for you!"  For more clarity, (sometimes we all feel like we need more clarity after God has spoken to us), some people in my life, spoke of those these same words to me, in various ways and conversations that further lets me know that it was God speaking to me through them (He knows I'm hard headed at times).  I am confident that God is in complete control over this NEW move I'll be making soon.

I will be cutting the cords of fear and doubt which have been my safety net and walking out on faith like never before and boldly into the unknown.  Though I'm aware that the attacks from the enemy is about to be an upgrade, but with God on my side, I know during those attacks, it will be as smooth as a walk in the park on a cool spring day.

If God has been pushing you out of some doors, uncomfortable places or situations, it's because He has equipped you to walk into something NEW and long lasting.  He is your safety net.....TRUST HIM!!! 

Sometimes, Just Let Your Hair Down A Bit

In case you've been wondering where I've been or what I've been doing with A New Me Foundation, Inc., I'll tell you.....LIVING MY LIFE!  That included going through an unexpected break-up from a man I loved, trying to remain sane through College Algebra (I passed both classes by the way), financial hardships with my job, enhancing my skills through professional development trainings, symposiums, workshop, etc., working on sketches for new books to publish and DATING can you believe it? Me either!!!!!


I've just been enjoying this cruel world at times.... CARE FREE!!!!! I got so caught up in my career and business as an entrepreneur, that I chose to take a hiatus for awhile to enjoy the many other outlets in my life that I may have taken for granted because I was "too busy" changing the lives of others.  Hey, I'm human and who doesn't want to live a productive life? 


I'm very proud of my fellow sisters whose businesses have grown, gained NEW partnerships and collaborations, NEW milestones they've reached and NEW communities they have provided services to in my absence.  I know some of their personal stories of fear, low self-esteem, lack of resources and this list could go on but they stuck through it all and now their visions are on the surface for the world to have access to and they are soaring with planting seeds of greatness in our communities.  


I actually enjoyed my hiatus because I simply let my hair down a bit and enjoyed my life, even survived the chaos that has hugged me tight in the last year.  It's amazing what a year can do to bring about change in a person's life.  Sometimes we plan ahead for a year and other times, just getting through it all day by day, leads us to a year later and we get a glimpse of the progress we made.  I'm excited, moving forward for the NEW great things that ANMF will be doing in our communities as well as NEW programs we will be providing services to our clients, in this year.   


It's ok to be a successful person in today's society but please, please, please, take the time to let your hair down a bit and enjoy life because in the field of social services, where you are constantly taking on case loads of other people problems, you will get burned out and overwhelmed if you don't take some "me" time everyday, take vacations, step away from the computers, laptops, cell phones, etc and just LET YOUR HAIR DOWN A BIT!!!!!!!

ANMF FEMALE MENTORING PROGRAM (Ages 13-16)

A New Me Foundation, Inc.

Greetings,

We at A New Me Foundation, Inc. offer a Female Mentoring program for teen girls, ages 13-16.  The girls will meet monthly to develop and build their self-esteem, confidence, empowerment, feminine hygiene, maintain abstinence with an option to discuss sex in a confidential setting, understand the importance of sisterhood and creatively learn how to express their concerns as teen girls while working together in group settings as well as individually. 

We understand the challenges that arise today with our youth in their home, school and community, so we are offering them our best resources and services to remain in a safe environment by providing them with age appropriate life skills as they develop into their own being and embrace it.

The fee for this program is $50 (after 2/14/13 and $25 early registration fee), which includes:

• Individual Feminine Hygiene Kit (tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, soap, body wash, feminine wipes, etc)
• Journal Kit (journal, folder and pen)
• ANMF Female Mentoring T-shirt

We are excited to work with your teen and we are here to help assist you and your teen in any way that we can.

Thanks,

Felicia T. Simpson

Founder/Executive Director of ANMF

SUPPORT SYSTEMS.....ARE THEY IMPORTANT TO HAVE?

Support systems are not only effective in working with domestic violence clients, but also individually as a citizen that connects with society.  I look back over my experience as a victim of domestic violence and can honestly say that, I survived that experience because of the great support system I had.  Sadly, many other victims in society today and even back then, do not have support systems, partially due to their lack of knowledge and/or resources they feel are available to them.

Briefly moving past victims of domestic violence, let's look at an individual who is a professional and feels the weight of the world on his/her shoulders because they are experts in their fields which demands a lot of their time, maybe deadlines are due for reports and life is just too much for that person, momentarily and the clock is steady ticking....oh,  add a spouse and children for luxury if you want in this scenario.  

This person I'll call "Jane" from here on out, could reduce the stress in her life and possibly some of her case loads in her career, if she had a support system of techniques to use as well as key individuals or a "go to" person, and trusted people in her life, the balance of life would be her outcome.

Support systems of people help you out when in need to support you financially, emotionally, spiritually, etc.  You can't obtain a support system by sitting behind a computer wishing for some type of support, laying on the couch stressed cause you need support.....No! No! and a capital, NO!!!!!  You must get out in this big world and NETWORK with others to find out in what capacity can they support you and in return you could be of some support to them.  Sometimes, if you're blessed as myself, your family will be that front line of a support system.

Family:  My family sees  the success and failures of my life first!  So naturally they are the greatest support system for me.  I have a cousin that supports me emotionally, whenever I need it.  Rather it be to listen to my problems, concerns, issues, etc....she gives me feedback and honest honors either from her experience or someone else's knowledge that she trusts to pass on to me.  For me, that's all I usually need in a support system.  I have other family members that support me by praying for me in difficult times and never letting me know that they are praying for me, but their actions show me that they are on my side.

Friends:  I have a diverse group of friends who support anywhere from the small steps I need to get through a difficult moment to friends that see a larger picture and can advise me on down the road or journey that I'm on.  Notice I didn't say cheerleaders.... I said FRIENDS.  These friends are very similar to me in their passions, weaknesses, strengths and anything else that builds our bonds collectively.  Some of these friends I talk to daily, monthly, yearly or just whenever I'm in a specific season of my life.  It's not to say that I only need them when I'm in need, clearly we have had previous conversations that identified that they were the best fit to help me handle difficult things.

Colleagues:  Recently, I had a family emergency and needed someone to step up and fulfill my duties in my absence.  I did not want to cancel the event that I and others spent months creating and planning, for my emergency.  My Supervisor, the school liaison and my Project Officer, all showed up and supported the project and assisted where needed in my absence.  On that day, I knew I had a great support system, even amongst my colleagues in this field.

Bottom line...... identify and connect with people that can support any levels in you life, and at which paths you cross throughout your journey in life.  Whether it be a friend or family member that can pray for you, pray with you, help assist you financially or emotionally or a colleague that if God forbid, you get sick or like me, have a family emergency on the day that you have an event or presentation to facilitate, they can assist you with it or possibly take on that task, in your absence.


I'm forever grateful of the support systems I have and am always reminded that they are there any time I need them.

So my question to you is: Support systems....are they important to have?  Why or why not?


#breakthesilence

Meditation Words of the Week

Last month, I was in a very vulnerable place in my life and I was determined to not succumb to the situations that were currently surrounding me.  At the time, I couldn't see the outcome(s) ahead but I knew I wasn't allowed to give up.  Sure for a couple of days, I slept a lot because I figured that sleep would cure all things and once I woke up the nightmares of my life would be no more.  Obviously, the nightmares of my life continued and sleeping, even for me, was boring.

So one day I decided to DO SOMETHING! I prayed and asked God for direction because I saw myself slipping into depression.  Let me tell you how fast my God works.  He spoke to my spirit immediately and said, "I want you to meditate on various words that I give you each week."  I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and here are the words that have come to my spirit so far:

• Restoration
• Rebuilding 
• Faith 
• Rejection

Now you may be wondering how these words are chosen each week and what I actually do with them.  I'll try to explain this process as best as I can.  At the beginning of each week, I pray and ask God for a new word to meditate on each week and He reveals it to me by what I may have experienced the week before, possibly in a scripture, someone else life experiences, etc.  I take these words and write them in my journal, find scriptures or stories in the Bible for these words, I sit in silence and with stillness and just meditate on these words.  I ask myself first, what does these words mean to me?  After answering my question, I Google the word and look for synonyms to help me enhance my knowledge of the word.

For me, these words have changed my life in a short amount of time and it carries me through another positive minute throughout my sometimes, chaotic days.  I suggest, if you want to start with these words or develop your own, according to what you are lead by God to use, make sure it's during times that you can spiritually hear from Him and see His visions and purposes for your life.

My life is no where near perfectly mended together and I experience pain and hurt just as my fellow brothers and sisters.  But there's a burning fire inside of me and that fire won't never let me quit nor burn out, and I'd like you to know that, that  fire is Jesus living, moving, working situations out for me and breathing on the inside of me, while directing my paths in life, on the outside.

This simple journal exercise may or may not be helpful to you at this time in your life.  If it is not helpful, I want you to find out what is helpful to the inner peace inside of your soul.

Be blessed!

My 2013 Recap: The Year of Experience

This year was the year of experience for me.  Unfortunately in some situations but a blessing in others. I experienced a NEW blessing in a NEW home for the BULLSROOM and I love fixing it up to my likings.  I experienced my hubby DROSE ultimate downfall in his career twice.  I experienced financial lost within my job since July I've been part time and don't know if/when I'll ever return full time (work in non-profit), but I've done my job with a smile each day and never stop giving my best to the youth I served in the schools.  I've experienced starting over as a sophmore in school instead of entering my senior year where I belong because my credits were deemed out dated and been doing the best I can and getting the best grades possible and offered to apply for a scholarship.  I experienced more outreach services with ANMF than motivational speaking or providing workshops that has humbled me even more and finally received my certification to be an IL Domestic Violence trainer.  I experienced days when my cabinets were empty of food for me and my family, but I still volunteered serving the homeless and battered women populations with thanksgiving in my heart.  I experienced severe writer's block and did not produce more fruit with the most precious gift God gave me....writing His word so that people can hear from Him.  I experienced depression, low self esteem and lost my confidence these last three months of my life and my cousin Erica Walton and sister Kwiannie Williams ('KIKI') have been the shoulders from a distance that I could lean on daily and reminded me of who's child I am and helped bring me back from that dark place of self destruction that I slipping into.  Finally, I experienced an unexpected loss of love within the last three weeks.  God saw what I couldn't see in 3 years but He showed me the whole time I can admit that and in one day, removed this man from my life so that the man that is out there for me, who can love me honestly, will be in alignment with God as I am and will be the one for me.  I don't know what awaits me in 2014 but I will walk into the next season trusting God and rebuilding my confidence in myself.  Happy NYE everyone be safe and blessed.

#DVAM at EPIC Academy on 10/28/13

We had an awesome time talking to the teens at EPIC Academy on 10/28/13.  The panelists shared their testimonies of personal experiences with domestic violence, the panelists also discussed several important warning signs as it relates to teen dating violence and opened the discussion, for their questions.

Although domestic violence happens in our communities often, it doesn't have to if we continue to educate ourselves as well as others and no matter the age to began the dialogue.  

The teens are honoring the observance of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, by selling the ribbons in the far right, bottom corner.  Some of the proceeds will go towards A New Me Foundation, Inc. to help continue providing FREE services to the clients they serve.

We are proud of these young ladies for learning about domestic violence and going out in the community to BREAK THE SILENCE and help end violence against women and their children.