6 Ways Women Can Honor Themselves During Women's History Month

In a popular song of former decades, James Brown sang: "this is a man's world; but it ain't nothin' without a woman or a girl." How true.
Women are the backbones of strong families. We are faithful servants within the church community, power players in the political arena, and "helpmates" to the men we love.
In the business arena, we are trendsetters and trailblazers. And there is great validity to the expression that a woman's work is never done.

Which is why it's so important, in all that we do, to make sure that we are also "giving" to ourselves.
So many of us wear ourselves thin with the daily demands of life,  that we devote very little time to our needs and well-being. True?

March honors National Women's History Month-- a time to celebrate and recognize our collective  strength, contributions, wisdom, and wonderfulness!

In keeping, here are six ways women can honor themselves, not just this month, but as a lifestyle practice.

1. Take care of your health.
This includes getting enough rest, managing stress levels, eating properly, exercise, and getting regular health screenings.

2. Set Boundaries.
Dr. Phil reminds us that "we teach people how to treat us by the things we accept." Respect yourself and others will follow.

3. Pamper Yourself.
Set aside a day or two for a date with yourself. Go shopping. Get a pedicure and massage. Unwind to a bubble bath and a good romantic novel. Even go off your diet for a day. You deserve it.

4. Avoid Dysfunctional, toxic relationships.
Strive to interact with folks who are positive, mentally "healthy", and worthy of your time.

5. Have a "girls-night-out" with friends.
Catch up on old times. Share common interests and issues over dinner and a glass of wine.
Having a support network helps us to feel less alone in times of stress, and improves our social, mental, and spiritual health .

6. Keep a journal.
Writing down your thoughts, dreams, and even your blessings, is a great way to express yourself, become more reflective, and chronicle some important life's lessons. Not to mention, it's very therapeutic.

We, at Ina Mae Greene Foundation, salute today's women of the world, and wish you abundant blessings during Women's History Month...and beyond.

Ina Mae Greene Foundation Joins in Honoring Teen Dating Violence Month

　
Most people recognize February as a month that celebrates love, through one of the most romantic days of the year: Valentines Day.

But, did you know, (ironically) that February also focuses on “dysfunctional relationships” through Teen Dating Violence Month?

Since 2010, Teen Dating Violence advocates and partnering organizations have dedicated this time to increase social awareness of teen violence through resources, literature, and educational workshops and programs.

All in an effort to educate today’s youth and end the cycle of abuse.

According to statistics provided by TeenDatingViolence.org, here are some important things you should know:

• Approximately 72% of 8^th and 9^th graders are dating.
• Violent behavior, most times, starts between ages 12 and 18.
• Over 1 million high school students nationwide suffer physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
• 16% of college women have been sexually abused in a dating relationship.
• 58% of college students report that they don’t know how to help someone who has been victimized by abuse.

These alarming statistics further support the need for awareness in promoting healthy relationships, and establishes why Teen Dating Violence is essentially “everybody‘s problem“.

Abuse exists in many forms.

Abuse can be:
Verbal---Such as demeaning language, profanity, inappropriate teasing, threats
Mental---Assaults on self-esteem and character, belittling, harsh criticism, stalking
Digital---Monitoring activity on social media sites, cyber-bullying, password breaches, posting negative comments on FaceBook
Important Resources

Along with TeenDatingviolence.org, another organization dedicated to abuse awareness, is Love is Respect.org. This group provides supportive services through a national helpline, (accessible 24/7), as well as informative literature and workshops.

In honor of Teen Dating Violence Month, Love is Respect.org is asking supporters to wear Orange on February 11^th as a way to show solidarity, and to promote healthy partnerships, respect and dating safety.

For information, visit their site at Loveisrespect.org, or call 1-866-331-9474.

To learn more about teen dating violence visit the IMGF website.

…Because “what you don’t know, CAN hurt you.”

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

 

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

Launched in 2004, (in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Stalking Resource Center), January marks the observance of National Stalking Awareness Month.

Webster defines stalking as: “to pursue or approach in a menacing manner”.

But for the millions of victims it has impacted over the years, stalking is more than a little unwanted attention; it’s a precursor to more violent activities, and sometimes even death.

With this in mind, our goal at Ina Mae Greene Foundation is to increase awareness of this hideous crime; serve as a resource to those seeking answers; honor the memory of the men and women who have died at the hands of their “fatal attractions,” and advocate for positive change.   

Knowledge is power.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself or a loved one:

·         According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men have been victimized by stalking during their lifetime. 

·         Stalking often goes unreported due to fear and the misguided belief that if it is ignored it will go away. It’s always better to be “safe than sorry.” If you are receiving contact or uninvited visits from anyone that seems threatening, or causes you discomfort or concern, don’t treat it lightly. Report it; it could save your life.

·         Stalking can exist in various forms—it can be done in person, or a perpetrator may “follow” and intimidate his victims online.

·         Seventy-five percent of victims are stalked by individuals they know. Many times we believe that strangers pose the most potential harm to us, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. Choose your associates wisely. Pay attention to any “red flags”. Trust your “intuition”. 

·         There is no singular profile for a stalker. A stalker can be Black or White, young or old, male or female, rich or poor, mentally unstable or genius status. Engaging in stereotypes can sometimes cloud our judgment and make us more vulnerable.

·         If you’re single and on the dating scene, a wise, protective measure is to have an unlisted phone number. Also govern your personal information when communicating online through dating services.

Throughout the month of January, there are an array of activities, workshops, and resources you can access during National Stalking Awareness Month to address your needs.

Here are a few sites worth exploring:

http://www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org/about

https://www.ncjrs.gov/stalkingawareness/

http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/resources/national-stalking-awareness-month/NSAM2012

Additionally, you’ll find very valuable information and related materials through several titles that we offer through IMGF.

“When you Live in Fear”-- By Darlene Greene

“Blood Relatives”-- By Darlene Greene

Visit our website at: http://www.inamaegreene.org/

 

Are you a Giver?

 

 

ARE YOU A GIVER?

God’s heart overflows with generosity and mercy. And as believers in a loving God, we must, to the best of our abilities, imitate our Heavenly Father. Because God has been so incredibly generous with us, we, in turn must be generous with others.

Jesus has much to teach us about generosity. He teaches that the most esteemed men and women are not the self-congratulatory leaders of society but are, instead, the humblest of servants.

If you were being graded on generosity, how would you score? Would you earn an A in philanthropy and humility, hopefully so. But if your grades could stand a little Improvement, today is the perfect day to begin.

Today, you may feel the urge to hoard your blessings. Don’t do it. Instead, give generously to your neighbors, and do so without fanfare. Find a need and fill it…humbly. Lend a helping hand and share a word of kindness…anonymously. This is God’s way.

How would you rate your humility and generosity today? However your rate, as humans most of us have room for improvement. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to start fresh, New Year, new attitude!

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.    Matthew 23:11

More words of wisdom from365 Daily Devotions

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on the finish for the New Year!

Dear Supporters

With another year behind me I am looking forward to new opportunities; to meet new people, experience new challenges and execute new ideas. 2012 had many highs and lows for me, but I met them all with my “focus on the finish”. When I find that I am being engulfed by that feeling that I get when life brings too many challenges, I look to God to help me through the madness, when I reach out to Jesus he reminds me that I am never alone.  As my gift to you, as a token of Sisterhood, I want to share a prayer that I found in the “Prayers of a Godly Woman” Devotions and Prayers. This book never fails to inspire me and help me to face any new life struggles that might come my way; I hope it helps you as much as it help me! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both begins and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed, that exhilarating finish in and with God, he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”
Hebrews 12:2

Ina Mae Greene Foundation-For My Sisters

......because the road to safety should not be a dead-end!

 

 

Our Heart is Broken!

                                                Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images

Pray for the families who lost precious loved ones in the Connecticut shooting.

Let us also pray for change!

Are you facing the HOLIDAY BLUES?

I love Christmas it has always been my favorite time of the year. I like eggnog, all the baking and visiting with family and friends!  Getting together Christmas Eve and going to church, then Christmas day; dinner at my house and opening presents. I love it! But it seems that there are many events that are taking away from the spirit of this holiday and how we celebrate Christmas. For instance, we are politically incorrect to say Merry Christmas, it is Happy Holiday?  There cannot be a depiction of Christ birth in the manger in front of a church or in an office building because we do not want to insult the atheist in our community? The incessant searching for the “Real” date of the birth of Christ, and that December 25^th is not the correct day to celebrate Christ?

Well, and please note that this is me speaking for me, we all have our own opinions and traditions, but I celebrate Christ birth every day, I don’t need a national holiday for that. Christmas, or the idea if it, is to celebrate the blessing of life, and share with the people you love your time, your blessings of good food and a few gifts that don’t need to be expensive to be enjoyed.

I know this is a new age with modern ideas, but can we not just hold on to this one simple pleasure, without the media hype and the arguing and bickering about what we are celebrating?

In the work we do at the Ina Mae Greene Foundation, we run across too many families that need help from generous people, otherwise on this day or any other day, they might not have a nice meal with family, or have the option to exchange gifts with friends because they have no home to celebrate in! These women are forced to leave their families behind simply to stay alive, so just being in a warm and safe place is sadly all they can hope for.

So if you find that you are allowing yourself to get caught up in the hype and you are beginning to feel that Christmas is not a time for celebration, please let us remember to be grateful for what we have; the people around us who love us, a home, and hope for the future!

 AND please remember that we all have the love of God, no matter what. God is good and His love endures; He has promised His children the gift of eternal life!

So during this holiday although it can be hectic, confusing and discouraging, I want to remind you how precious life is, when in doubt please consider the words of Jesus.

 It was Christ who promised. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. This world is indeed a place of trials and tribulations, but as believers, we are secure. God has promised us peace, joy and eternal life. And of course, God always keeps His promises! So as you go through your day, coping with this busy holiday season, remember God’s words and reach out to someone who is less fortunate than you are, buy toys and donate them to a women’s shelter for the children who will not be in their own homes this Christmas. Have your church group, or women’s group purchase household goods for a women’s shelters, things like, laundry detergent, dish detergent, body wash, bath towels etc.

Many shelters have a wish list posted on their website that tells you what they need.

 If you have more questions about what to donate to shelter, please contact us at 214-412-3896, we will be happy to help you with a list of suggested items to donate. Your kindness will mean so much to the women and children who will spend their holiday away from family and friends. I promise you will feel better about the holidays. Working to help others makes me feel less stressed. Try it and see if you don’t feel better right away.  Let me know how you make it through this Christmas, drop me a note, http://www.inamaegreene.org/, I would love to hear from you.