GRACE & HOPE CONSULTING, LLC
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder
    • Blog
    • CONTACT
    • COURSES
    • Recommended Reading
    • Resources
    • Testimonials
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Christian Counseling
    • Group Counseling
    • Resilience Coaching
    • Stress RELIEF Coaching
    • Supports Broker Services
    • Person-Centered Parenting
    • Support For Caregivers
    • Women Achieving Mental and Emotional Wellness
    • Recommended Reading
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
    • Person-Centered Thinking Training
    • Stress Management Training & Coaching
  • Churches
    • Christian Counseling
    • Inclusion Support for Churches
    • Women Conferences
  • SPEAKING
    • Seminars/Workshops
    • Women Conferences
  • WRITING
    • BOOKS BY CHOU
    • PUBLISHING
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition #2 >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Hope Naysha
      • Author-Louis Bianco
      • Author-Donnel Brown
      • Author-Kirsten Marie Peterson
      • Author-Domonique Jackson-Rodriguez
      • Author-Jeanne Cesena
      • Author-Tracy Loken Weber
      • Author-Kristine Irwin
      • Author-Rhonda Cee
      • Author-Kate Adams
    • Made to Overcome - Single Parenting Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Nichole Wilson
      • Author-Wendy Park
      • Author-JoAnna Gardner
      • Author-Kate Adams
      • Author-Jasmine Merill
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author-Erin Adams
      • Author-Debbi Stricler
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author- G
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Dani Adams
      • Author-Justin Birckbichler
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author-Dan Esterly
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author- Al Levin
      • Author-Holly Miller
      • Author- Karsten Penkacik
      • Author- Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author - Thomas Newman Powell
      • Author-Carrie Reichartz
      • Author- Cherie Faus Smith
      • Author- Carol Strang
      • Author- Karima Leslie
    • Made To Overcome - Chronic Illness Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Christina Abernethy
      • Author-Lisa Baker
      • Author-Rhonda Clemmer
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author - L.A. Weems
      • Author - Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author-Sara Mohr
      • Author- Karima Leslie
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author-Rafe Shearer
      • Author-LaShonn Edmunds
      • Author-Jennifer McPherson
      • Author-Julie P. Watson
    • We All Belong
    • Made to Overcome Caregivers Edition
    • I QUIT


BLOG
Spreading Hope
Sharing Resources
Empowering You
Doing Life Together

You Are Where You Are Meant To Be...

9/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

I know this title might cause some raised eyebrows but I want to share something that has been on my heart for the past few months and I hope it will be encouraging for someone else as well.

Three months ago, I decided that I needed to move. I have been thinking of a particular town for the past two years and some upsetting things happened in June and I said, “That’s it! I am out of here!” Before you said that was an impulsive reaction, please read on. As I just mentioned, I have been planning a move for two years and just waiting for the “perfect timing” and the incident that occurred made me think it was time to move. But…
I am still living at the same place. My children are safe and we have recovered from this incident, although we still have our guards up. I looked for houses in the desired area both online and by driving around. I made a few phone calls and discussed it with a few trusted friends. Yet, three months later, no boxes are packed and my address is still the same. So why didn’t I moved after all?

Well, sometimes feeling stuck is good for us. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of being stagnant is not appealing but sometimes, just sometimes, if we are stuck long enough we start to find flowers where thorns once grew. We begin to see a path where once was wilderness. That’s why I am still here. After two years of preparation and 3 months of actively looking. I am still here and I am starting to think here is where I need to be. Maybe not for long, but certainly for now.

Not moving meant registering my son back in the same preschool, the one he dreaded to go to last year. What’s different this year? Maybe the new teacher, maybe all the hard work we did this summer is finally starting to pay off? Maybe both he and I learned to better cope with our frustrations about the chaotic morning routines and the long anxious nights? But perhaps, we learned something else. Running away is not always the best way out. Having limited options forced us to be creative. Our mornings are still not the best but there are definitely getting easier than they were last year. We are doing certain things differently and those small modifications are making a huge difference.

Not moving also meant that my daughter went back to the same school. Yes, she got a new teacher and she is in a new classroom. Instead of thinking, “oh boy! We have to fight again to get more support for her”, I decided if here is where we are, then we need to make it work. I scheduled evaluations outside of the school system and we are finding out some things that might be impacting her learning and the way she copes with the stress of it all. So we might be getting somewhere…finally!

Why do I tell you all of this? Because I think too often we are quick to change schools, jobs, neighborhoods, etc because we can. Having options is great but when we are stuck we might discover that we are stronger than we thought we were. Not moving also means that the incident that happened in June can happen again but instead of focusing on the “what ifs”, I choose to focus on the “here and now”.  I took precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy but I cannot enjoy life if I continue to live in fear.

So if you are stuck and just don’t see a way out, remember these few things:
1- The grass is not always greener on the other side. No matter which decision you take, you will have things to work out, that’s just how life goes. Therefore, don’t run…just yet…because you are not guaranteed an easier way wherever it is that you are running to.  

2- If all the doors are closing on you, look for windows. People might not agree with your ideas. The school might not approve the accommodations you requested. The bank declined your loan request. You lose the contract that you worked so hard for. Can there be a few windows that you missed to see, simply because you were too focused on the door? What are small opportunities that you are missing out on because you were just aiming on your end goal? Can something good come out of the closed doors? I dare to believe so!  

3- Flourish where you are. We’ve all heard “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I like to say it in another way: When you turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones, you find joy in the journey. You are not where you want to be, but it is your choice to either be miserable or content where you are. Things might not be what you want them to be but you can make the best of things.  

Stay encouraged my friend! I might not know what you are going through but I know this: we all want a break from all the turmoil we face on this earth. Whatever you may be going through, I hope you find joy on the journey. You might not be there yet – wherever “there” is for you – but rest assured that sometimes being stuck helps us get stronger for the “theres” in our life. Use the present to prepare for the future. Don’t waste this experience just because it is unpleasant, learn and grown from it.
 
From there (past) to there (future) is here (present) and Here is where you are meant to be!
 

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Chou is a best-selling Author, a Transformational Speaker,  Certified Life Coach, Counselor and Consultant on a mission to inspire people to rise above their circumstances. She is passionate about helping others achieve emotional wellness, reach their full potential, and live fulfilling lives. You can contact Chou at chou@graceandhopeconsulting.com

    Categories

    All
    ADD
    ADHD
    Anxiety
    Autism
    Behavior
    Children
    Community
    Counseling
    Depression
    Disabilities
    Faith
    Family
    Health
    Mental Health
    Parenting
    Personal Growth
    Person Centered
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self Help
    Stress
    Stroke
    Suicide
    Trauma
    Women

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016

Picture

Pennsylvania
​

20 South 36Th Street, 1st Floor
Camp Hill, PA 17011


MARYLAND

6340 SECURITY BOULEVARD - SUITE 100
BALTIMORE (WOODLAWN), MD 21207

​
TEL: 717-216-0230 (also available on Whatsapp)
​CHOU@GRACEANDHOPECONSULTING.COM

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​COPYRIGHT 2016-2020
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Meet Our Founder
    • Blog
    • CONTACT
    • COURSES
    • Recommended Reading
    • Resources
    • Testimonials
  • INDIVIDUALS
    • Christian Counseling
    • Group Counseling
    • Resilience Coaching
    • Stress RELIEF Coaching
    • Supports Broker Services
    • Person-Centered Parenting
    • Support For Caregivers
    • Women Achieving Mental and Emotional Wellness
    • Recommended Reading
  • ORGANIZATIONS
    • Inclusion Support
    • Mental Health Consultation
    • Person-Centered Thinking Training
    • Stress Management Training & Coaching
  • Churches
    • Christian Counseling
    • Inclusion Support for Churches
    • Women Conferences
  • SPEAKING
    • Seminars/Workshops
    • Women Conferences
  • WRITING
    • BOOKS BY CHOU
    • PUBLISHING
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition #2 >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Hope Naysha
      • Author-Louis Bianco
      • Author-Donnel Brown
      • Author-Kirsten Marie Peterson
      • Author-Domonique Jackson-Rodriguez
      • Author-Jeanne Cesena
      • Author-Tracy Loken Weber
      • Author-Kristine Irwin
      • Author-Rhonda Cee
      • Author-Kate Adams
    • Made to Overcome - Single Parenting Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Nichole Wilson
      • Author-Wendy Park
      • Author-JoAnna Gardner
      • Author-Kate Adams
      • Author-Jasmine Merill
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author-Erin Adams
      • Author-Debbi Stricler
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author- G
    • Made to Overcome - Mental Health Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author- Dani Adams
      • Author-Justin Birckbichler
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author-Dan Esterly
      • Author-Catherine Hughes
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author- Al Levin
      • Author-Holly Miller
      • Author- Karsten Penkacik
      • Author- Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author - Thomas Newman Powell
      • Author-Carrie Reichartz
      • Author- Cherie Faus Smith
      • Author- Carol Strang
      • Author- Karima Leslie
    • Made To Overcome - Chronic Illness Edition >
      • Author- Chou Hallegra
      • Author-Christina Abernethy
      • Author-Lisa Baker
      • Author-Rhonda Clemmer
      • Author- Nikki Burgess
      • Author - L.A. Weems
      • Author - Shawnee Penkacik
      • Author- Dana Lambert Hodge
      • Author-Sara Mohr
      • Author- Karima Leslie
      • Author- Dr. Leanne Montoya
      • Author-Rafe Shearer
      • Author-LaShonn Edmunds
      • Author-Jennifer McPherson
      • Author-Julie P. Watson
    • We All Belong
    • Made to Overcome Caregivers Edition
    • I QUIT