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                    STEPPING STONES (TM)
 
                           Issue #29 
 
                     September, 2005
 
Welcome to "Stepping Stones" (TM), the newsletter of
Her Mentor Center (TM).  Here we highlight issues
important to mid-life women and identify information  
that you might find valuable in your own life.  We are 
excited to be sharing experiences and information 
as we all journey through mid-life.
 
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This month at a glance:
 
I.     Mother Nature and Human Nature
 
III.   Our Invitation to You
 
IV.    About Us
 
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       Mother Nature and Human Nature
 

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina we all are struck by the 
realization that change can come in many ways.  It can be 
gradual and gentle or sudden and violent.  It can come from 
the actions of other human beings or from the forces of nature.  
It can be planned and anticipated or unexpected and out of our 
control.
 
If any of our newsletter subscribers have been affected by 
this tragedy, please be in touch with us.  Let us know how 
you and your loved ones are doing and if we can help in any 
way.  We are here for you.
 
When we see the degree of devastation heaped on our fellow 
Americans in the Gulf Coast, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.  
We think about ourselves and are either grateful for our 
good fortune or worried that we might suffer such a 
misfortune.  However it is common, after initial personal 
feelings, for individuals to realize that they can reach out 
and make a difference.  Whenever any of our neighbors 
experience the effects of the violent and uncontrolled forces 
of nature, each of us has the ability to bring some control 
to this event, and to our own feelings, by our actions and 
reactions. 
 
Rosemary and Phyllis have been working with the Red Cross to 
provide brief counseling and support to residents of Louisiana 
and Mississippi who have made their way to Los Angeles.  We 
have been deeply touched by the stories we have heard of the 
difficult journeys these evacuees have made.  We have talked 
with those who have lost homes, jobs, family members, friends, 
clothes, other possessions, educational opportunities, pets, 
and the basic security that we take for granted.  
 
As in grieving any loss, the evacuees are experiencing mixed
emotions.  Initially, many were grateful for having survived
the catastrophe.  For some, the support of family and faith
have been a great comfort.  For others, feelings of shock
and denial are giving way to disappointment and anger.
 
We have seen first hand how the survivors have supported each 
other.  People who may not have even known each other before 
have felt the camaraderie that comes from sharing – 
sharing a loss, a need, or even food and very limited space.  
Knowing that someone else truly understands their own 
experiences and feelings has drawn these people – young and old, 
rich and poor, black and white – together.  This joint effort 
has helped bring about some of the resiliency we are now seeing.  
The ability to once again feel hopeful and positive about the 
future is a powerful motivator. 
 
Some folks are longing to return home, despite the hardship.  
Others are saddened by the fact tht they cannot go back or are
frustrated by all the delays.  Still others are using this 
terrible experience as an opportunity to begin their lives 
again in a new environment.  None of this is making light of 
the fact that these people have a long way to go before 
feeling safe and comfortable again.  
 
Even though we may be out of harm’s way ourselves, we can all 
understand the need for nurturing in the midst of the dramatic 
changes our neighbors are facing.  Americans, and our friends 
across the world, have been pouring out help at an 
unprecedented rate. We understand that the recovery, both 
physical and emotional, will take a long time.  If you wish, 
you can contact service agencies in your community to learn 
what you can do to help. Even now, three weeks after the 
"hell and high water," anything any of us can do to assist
is valuable.
 
Perhaps some of you may think, what resources do I have?  
But we have been amazed by stories of the courage and 
creativity of ordinary folks who just wanted to do what 
they could to help. 
 
The American Psychological Association has provided  
information which you or someone you know may find useful.  
You will find them at .  Available for 
reading and downloading are: 
 
Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina
Managing Traumatic Stress: Hurricane Katrina and Children 
Managing Traumatic Stress: Dealing with Hurricane Katrina from Afar  
 
This last document notes several suggestions to help you deal 
with the feelings of vulnerability you may be experiencing:
 
• Take a break from the news.    
• Be kind to yourself.
• Keep the situation in perspective.
• Find a productive way to help if you can.
• Control what you can in your life.
• Look for opportunities for self-discovery.
• Recognize your strengths.
 

Rosemary and Phyllis continue to work with both the evacuees
and volunteers who have returned from working in the shelters 
in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.  We look forward 
to sharing our experiences with you in a future newsletter.  
Please let us hear from you as you deal with the aftereffects 
of Katrina yourselves.
 
 
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                  III. Our Invitation to You
 
Do you have your own transition story?  We invite you to
share it with our readers for the benefit of women who
themselves may be dealing with similar changes.  The skills you
used may be Stepping Stones for others.  If you are interested,
please e-mail us at 
mentors@HerMentorCenter.com. .  

If you have not yet responded to our
"About You" questionniare
on the website, please tell us about yourself and we will 
include the data in our research. 

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                         IV. About Us
 
HerMentorCenter.com provides information, support and
direction for women undergoing mid-life transitions.  Having
made these transitions ourselves, we are available to mentor
you and to be your partners in mid-life.

Her Mentor Center (TM) does not provide psychotherapy,
consulting, or any other psychological or medical services
or treatment.  If you feel the need for psychological help,
you should contact your local mental health professional
associations.

To subscribe to "Stepping Stones" (TM), our free monthly
newsletter, sign up at:

http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/newsletter.html

To unsubscribe, go to 
http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/ 
newsletter.html and click "unsubscribe." 

To contact us, write to us at our e-mail address, 
mentors@HerMentorCenter.com, 
or by telephone at (818) 773-7795 

Newsletters are available in our archives at: 

http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/archives.html


(c) HerMentorCenter, 2005.  All rights reserved.  The above
material may not be copied to another web site without the
express permission of HerMentorCenter.com.   
  
 
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