In YOU and ONLY YOU. Everything of what you see around is your inner feelings about your life and yourself.
Is there anything in Michigan that you see as BEAUTIFUL ?????????????
Are there any parks and nature???????????
May GOD BLESS YOU:)

Did you miss the show on Denmark? It sounds fabulous! And just in case you'd like to travel a wee bit north, Canadians are happy too. Our well regulated banks are solid, our health care system is excellent, our manufacturing sector took a hit when the US economy tanked, but we have a well run unemployment insurance system and very neighbourly communities so that those enduring tough times are still well housed, well fed and have healthcare and monthly cash. Come for a visit. Hope is alive and well up here.

Hope for Michigan humm, well we just saw Grand Torino. What an astute comment on the "american way". There are new industries and new ideas, but they won't live in a place that is stuck on the past. Dynamism is for open minded, imaginative, risk takers. Detroit was left behind building gas guzzlers Look up 'ted' or google names like majora carter and amory lovins to see what innovative americans can do for the world and their communities. A dose of inspiration and some fresh air can do wonders to lift your funk.

You seem to be the one full of negativity and without hope. People caring for the world around them are an inspiration. They have hope and will share it with you. Perhaps you could focus on something outside of yourself and by making a contribution with your time and energy you'd generate some positivity. Whatever injustice strikes a heartstring, then get involved: from the plight of thrown away male chicks, and cruely to animals, to neglected school kids and local programs. Then you'd feel better, by making others fell better. Just avoid the kitchen when you are down in the dumps, we all know emotional eating will only harden the arteries, not open the heart.

I understand how you feel. But, you have to keep the faith and keep hope alive in your heart. I, too, know a lot of people who have lost their jobs and are full of negativity. Unemployment is the highest it has been in 26 years and we need more jobs created. But, how do you do it? I don't know, but there has to be something someone can do .... tax incentives for private employers based on job creation...more public sector jobs, or something. It is sad when I know people who want to work but can't find a job. It makes my heart cry.

Right now hope is alive and well inside me. I take it with me where ever I go. There are days when it seems to be hard to find. You have to look for it everyday. When you find it you have to hold it so the darkness of the daily grind won't steal it away from you. Once you hold hope in your heart give it to everyone you see then it seems to stick a bit closer. The more you give hope to others the more you have for yourself. Surround yourself with others who have hope. There will be plenty to go around. It is all a state of mind really: glass half full or half empty kind of mind set. Everyday you just get up and keep going. You have to prey the bus will stop for you and then run like heck to catch it. I lose my hope every now and again. Life is really hard. Those days I just decide to find it and look until I do. It is always there. Believe that you have and are all you need to get through today and you will. What goes down will eventually go up. If enough people in Michigan decide they want a better life they will create one. It is all up to us. We have the power to do what ever we want if we are willing to just take the first step and then the one after that and so on. I saw something the other day that said the universe/God will provide the net if we are prepared to make the jump. Just don't live in fear. That is no way to live.

*In side of you. You are the one that can bring it. How are things other wise. I try to push past so much. There has to be a place your talking about. Since Christmas is upon us. I have seen commercials of such beautiful dynamic festive play. Ms. Lifegetter how are you and your boys. It's been so long. Your picture looks great. I will work on getting a picture up. My aunt once asked about states like Michigan. *

*It has been so long since I heard from you. Inside of you is where the hope is alive and well. You are the one that can bring it.:x *

I have been busy feeling sorry for myself...lol....

I am almost done though. Life is going very well for me, for a while there I was going through some difficult experiences.

I had been looking for a counselor and a mentor for my 16 year old son, his doctor also was trying to help me look for a counselor and mentor for my 16 year old son.

He is too old for the "Big Brother/ Big Sister Program" he was on the waiting list, but because of the lack of male mentors he grew too old for the program and never received a mentor and he really needs one.

He has a big problem with socializing and just won't do it. He won't go to school, and I won't force him because it does no good.

This has been an on going problem since he was in the seventh grade, and I just can't put him through that sort of stress anymore.

I have tried, and tried to get him to go to a public school, hoping that things will change for him, but they don't.

Anyways, his doctor suggested perhaps CPS would have some idea for any type of services that maybe available for him. I thought it couldn't hurt to try. I never dreamed that I was inviting a nightmare.

CPS did come to my home, and after speaking with me and with my son, they wrote a report that our family was the worse case they had ever investigated. They made a false report that there were cat feces everywhere in our home. They said that I had piles of dirty dishes. I admit there was one dirty pan in the sink, and that was because I had just finished cooking some soup for lunch. We were about to have lunch when they came over. I do have two cats and one dog. I have two litter box and they get cleaned as soon as one of the cats uses a box.

Our home was clean, except for that one pan in the sink.

They had ordered that I find a counselor and a mentor for my son, and I told them that is why my son's doctor and I had contacted them for help in finding a counselor and a mentor.

They told me I had to find them on my own, but I had a week to find them or they would consider me to be uncooperative and take me to court to have my son removed. Adding more stress for my son, to worry about being taken out of our home.

I have never abused any of my children, they have never been neglected.

On top of all of this, my car had died. It was like one of Murphy's laws, "What Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong".

I had so many unexpected expenses that I didn't know how I was going to get through, and the timing of it all could not have been more wrong.

And even though I have shared my many woos here on Oprah's community, I feel as if Oprah's community is almost the same as sharing with the cosmic void. I don't really know anyone in here, and nobody in here really knows me, so I feel safe in sharing.

I don't however, feel safe in sharing in my public life, such as sharing with my church.

When my car died, I had to ask for rides to church, (I don't have a problem asking for rides for church, I just have a problem with asking for help with everything else).

I did have to explain to my church that my car had died and I was trying to find away to get another used car. I explained to them that I was about to start a back to work program offered by our state through the "Rehabilitation Program" I had not worked full time since 1997 and I was a "Switchboard Operator/ Receptionist back then.

I was surprised when my church approached me with news that they had taken up a very special collection and the collection was enough to me purchase a new used car. I broke down, and confessed about everything that was going on in my home. I told them that I didn't want to let anyone know.

They helped me find a therapist for my 16 year old son, and are still trying to help me find him a mentor.

I now have a really nice new used car, I have a new job (I start training in two weeks) my new job title is a "Job Coach". I will be coaching special needs people on their jobs.

Things are looking up for me.

Now, I am after is a relationship.

I want a relationship. I have not dated since I left my ex-husband in 2000 and I truly want a new partner. I am more then ready. I know my life is not perfect, but who has a perfect life?

I may need a make over, but I am working on that myself, but at the sametime, maybe there is someone who will accept me as I am?

Sorry, I got a little long winded.

It sure isn't OHIO.

Of course, the level of hypocrisy is perhaps deeper here than up in Michigan, but don't let it fool you.

Ohio really is THE PITS!

GOD BLESS YOU MY SISTER. The weight of the world does rain. Some how we get the courage and strength that comes from GOD ALMIGHTY TO KEEP GOING ON. Thank you for responding to me. I often focus on what my haters know about me. Literally they are monitoring my every move with the help of authorities and all that are trying to condemn me. They all say I can't prove it. There waiting for me to do something drastic so it will be captured on video. Can you imagine living in a bubble. Mrs. Lifegetter stay strong things will get better. I know because there are leaps I made because of God sending people to help me. I can't get my online assignments knowing that my computer is hacked and that my own relatives are in on this espionage stuff. My excop sister knows people. They are wishing that I would snap. I appreciate that you took the time to write me back.

"Beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport, for lust, for greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, lest he make a wasteland of your home and his. Shun him. Drive him deep into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of Death."

Our Lord has already taken care of my situations, CPS is no longer involved. My church surprised me by taking up a special collection and helped me to buy a new car, and I start a new job as a "Job Coach" Monday, November 23rd.

God is wonderful, I love him with my whole heart and soul.

You don't have to prove anything of what you say. Jesus didn't have to prove what he said, we all just had to have faith.

Those without faith can't believe.

Please hang in there. Sometimes we have to let go of the families we were born or raised into and adopt a new family. I have a whole church full of new mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, all are of Christ.

I still love the family I was born into, and I honestly have forgiven them all. They all know this and now it is up to them.

God/Jesus are my protector. Even as stubborn as I am.

God will be your protector as well. I don't fear anymore. I truly fear nothing. When this Earth ends I will still live. I will live in Heaven with my creator, my Heavenly Father in Heaven and I will embrace Jesus. I will be seated next to God.

I have nothing to fear. I will also be blessed to forget all those who chose not to have faith, and chose not to believe.

We can only share our information, it is up to the receiver to study the word. If they chose not to study the truth, then that is their choice.

Why not try going to the Library to do your assignments?

In all honesty, who are your true relatives? The ones in Christ, or the ones you were born or raised in? Who would you rather be your relatives?

Email me privately and we can talk.

Find Peace.

There sure is..it's in Michigan. I just got permanently laid off from my job of 10 years at Chrysler Financial where I worked as a manager in Finance. I have 2 kids ages 3 and 4 and a husband. My mortgage is over $1100 a month and we have 2 car payments. Money was tight before and it's even tighter now. I could sit and sulk. The job market is terrible. Unemployment in the state is 15+ % and will probably remain around there for some time. Eventually the unemployment that I didn't want to take will run out. I know there are people who have it harder than I do, but things happen for a reason. It's all how you deal with what is thrown at you. I am extremely blessed to have time now to be with my children while they are at such a young age. I can share moments and make memories that I wouldn't have had time to if I was working. I have a huge support group of family and friends who are there if I need to talk and I have faith in God that this was in the "plan" for me.

Whether I find work sooner or later, I have a ton of hope that there is far more good than bad, not only in Michigan, but across the country, from house to house, family to family, and if you look a little closer, you will see it-

Beth