A book review of Still Standing, by Minister, Author and Psychotherapist, Jean M. Gayle.

Surviving abuse takes determination. If one is not willing to delve into the past, and confront the issues that caused so much pain, they will only continue to have power over your present life, and dictate how you live.

The numbers are high, and they continue to escalate. They live in our homes. They work beside us. They sit on the pews next to us during Sunday service and Mass. They are survivors. Those who have made it through to the other side of abuse...and are not afraid to talk about it.

How well do you cope with grief? There are various ways in which we deal with grief. Sometimes, it depends upon what we are grieving. No matter what it is: grief is grief. And some of us are just not good at handling it.

Maybe you were one of the fortunate ones who have never experienced the devastating affects of domestic violence. If that is you, then you are fortunate. But you may be surprised to know just how many people you know, that have and are experiencing domestic violence, and you may never know.

There are many things that are happening in our lives that we don't like, don't understand, and wish never happened. In deed there are some circumstances that are out of our control. But when do we stop and begin to be accountable for the things which we do have control over?

It's that time of the year again. Children are back to school. The weather is getting chilly. Here is a delightful, fragrant and economical recipe for curry chicken stew. Food for the soul.

It's time to do a gut check. It's time to look in the mirror and take responsibility for the things that we choose to do. It's a thin line between staying above the bottom, and diving head first into irresponsibility; creating havoc not only in our lives, but in the lives of those around us.

There are times when women can be the best of friends, and other times the worse of enemies. What is it about women—Black women in particular, that can have us reaching for the phone one minute, pouring out our souls, and the next tearing one another down?

There is power in the words that we speak. What do your words say about you? Do you speak life and hope? Or, death and despair?