New Beginnings Women's Help Center

02/07/2026

I got a pocket full of ________. How would you complete this sentence?
A. Sunshine
B. Troubles
C. My past
What we find in our pockets of life says much of what maybe weighing us down. If we carry a pocket full of troubles like bricks filled full, life becomes harder. Then there is the pocket full of our past experience of good or trials. Neither are very heavy if we have dealt with each through reflection and healing. There is still room for sunshine, flowers, and glittery things. Not knowing what is in our pockets stays there collecting lint and dirt. Today is the day to check your pockets of life and the contents it holds.

02/06/2026

02/04/2026

Tears of pain, sadness, and loss flow free expressing the heart's language of love. We are told to count our blessings, but have you ever thought to count your tears? Both blessings and tears are connected to lived experiences. Each are important as they speak from the depth of feelings in each circumstance. It's when we fight back tears that we are robbed of the healing and insight they can bring. Next time you find tears streaming down your face or even the internal urge to cry, ask yourself, what am I feeling deep down? Do not apologize for tears or crying, because they speak a message that your heart is sending. It is a signal to follow the trail of tears down to what is behind them. Each of life's pain, sadness, and loss is a teardrop in time to mark something significant. Tears that flow will know what the heart holds.

02/03/2026

If you have ever played a game of hide and seek as a child, you will remember trying not to make a sound when hiding only to start giggling when the person found you. It was a fun game to play, especially when you were the one getting to hide and be found. With this being Groundhog Day, where if a shadow is seen then more winter is to come, we all will continue to hide in hibernation mode. It matters what attitudes and circumstances cause us to hide and NOT want to be found. If we see shadowy trials looming, our attitude can shift into a gear of negativity. This becomes a circular path of habit in which our eyes only see worst case scenarios and words of gloom spill out. How can one, who is hiding be found? It takes the one hiding to start making some noise so others can find them. This noise may come out as complaining, negativity, and more. Most of us, who are not hiding, tend to shy away from those making noise due to the complaining. A key tip to know is that we as seekers of those hiding, are not responsible to rescue them, just to walk alongside. Instead of shying away from one who complains, listen with a whole ton of grace. Maybe the hider just wants to be heard by anyone who will listen. If they continue to complain repeatedly, then gently challenge them to consider a few good things in their life no matter how small. We all can use some helpful advice on how to play life version of hide and seek.

01/29/2026

Nature is a way to reconnect with your inner self. If I had something like this in my backyard, I would certainly be utilizing it. Once you get into that comfy chair with a trellis, would you (a) fall asleep, (b) look around, or (c) self-reflect? So many of us are living life at a speed beyond the sound barrier, that when we get a chance to sit down our bodies naturally fall asleep because this is the greatest need at the moment. In this new year, the pace of life will continue moving but we can choose a slower pace. This slower pace will allow for times of rest, enjoying the beauty around us, and to practice some self-reflection. It is important to purposefully plan this time. Buy a journal, set a reminder/timer on your phone, and pick a solitary place. Then begin with asking yourself this question: What word would I use to describe life at this moment? Write that word down in your journal. Next ask yourself: What do I need right now? Before getting up, be still and think through the answers you wrote down. Repeat this every day and take notes. Then at the end of the month, you can review all your notes to get an overall sense of where your inner self is currently.

01/27/2026

Every year that ends and begins has a story to tell. Every story has the elements of conflict, struggle, and breakdowns. It is in these moments of looking back on our life's story that reveals the roles that these elements played in our hearts. Think back over 2025 and identify the internal struggles that were experienced. Now look for how these elements of conflict, struggle, and breakdowns created glitters of growth. Maybe the glitter of growth was in discovering strength you didn't know was there. The glimmer of glitter could be a person that helped you in your struggle. Glitter can even appear in ways that we didn't even expect. Even difficult chapters can add pops of colorful beauty. We just need to reflect on all the circumstances that happened and the outcomes. A good story can keep you guessing until the very last page of how it will turn out. Our life story is imperfect, but we can always look for the glimmer of growth in difficulties. If 2025 was a book, what would be your title and theme? Who were the ones that helped you to grow? What ways did you see pops of growth? Journal your answers of reflection and think of ways to bring recognition to your year's story.

01/24/2026

Shadows of the outward self-follow us everywhere when the sky is void of clouds and the sun's rays shine bright. The outside shadow of self occurs to everyone, so we are not to bothered by it. It's the inner shadows that can either consume or help us grow. In order to understand, one must start to reflect and practice slowing down long enough to notice, what is really happening in our lives. Shadows that consume are ones that tear down, trip up, or cause shame. Many run from these types of shadows because it causes upheaval of thoughts and emotions. This year is the time to reflect without self-condemnation. Asks yourself this question to change the perspective on your shadows. What can I learn from the patterns of these shadows? Whether we like these shadows or not, there is something to learn about ourselves. Instead of running from our shadows, let us start to recognize the patterns that grow and the ones that don't. Let 2026 be a year of inward reflection on all of our shadows.