Dealing with Negativity
Belle Dam Merci by John Waterhouse.
A life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses.
There is nothing, except for major physical trauma (quick or ongoing), that affects our energy as much as negative thoughts and relationships or lack of relationships with others. This is especially true for Highly Sensitive Women who often draw the wrong people and experiences into their lives due to their sensitivities and their particular needs. The more negativity you face, the longer you face it, and the more you repress it, the better the chance you will be heading to the doctor's office with symptoms that probably won't reveal much in the lab. In reverse, there is nothing better for you than positive relationships, self-talk and emotional expression.
For a list of symptoms that correspond with the impact of negativity, visit the TCL web page, Signs of Stress.
Are You In Hot Water? The Story of The Froggy Princess
If you throw a frog in hot water, she will surely jump out and run. However, if you place her in cool water and slowly heat it to boiling, she'll stay put, stew and die. I suppose when the frog princess reaches heaven and looks back in hindsight, she will have known at what point she should have leapt out of the pan, but here on earth it was hard to determine the exact moment. So it is with humans and human relationships. We enter them when they are cool and as they heat up we often stay anyway, allowing them to drain us of our precious energy, sometimes killing us from the dis-ease they leave behind. The moral of the story? Check the temperature of your relationships and situations often. Emotional or physical suffering of any kind may be a clue that you are in hot water!
Faces of Negativity - Aches & Pains
Any time you are dealing with negativity, you are dealing with pressure, resistance and, sometimes, oppression (more pressure). When you feel stressed, something is pressing in on you to change things somehow. We can also be oppressed by others who are trying to keep us down or by our very own personal thoughts and behaviors, which contribute toward a negative attitude. This kind of negativity, especially when repressed, can be felt in our 'gut' as a stomach ache, or as muscle pain, headache, back pain and other physical symptoms, even though we do not always recognize it as such.
Some negativity in life is healthy. It helps us to make decisions, take action, learn who we are, and to grow. Too much negativity, however, can create fear, halt us in our tracks, rob our souls of energy, and stunt our ability to move ahead toward our goals and dreams.
Happiness does not depend on who you are or what you have;
it depends on what you think.
- Dale Carnegie
Negative Attitudes Attract Negativity
You will not be able to evade negative situations, people and emotions in life. What is important here is that you realize that 'like attracts like'. This means that the more you think doom and gloom the more doom and gloom you will experience. A negative attitude can begin simply with calling yourself stupid over something and can end by spiraling down a never-ending black tunnel of pessimism, doubt and gloom. You can reverse this by thinking more positive thoughts. The more positive you think, the more positive you will be and feel. The body follows the mind.
If there is a problem that is following you around like a black cloud, imagine that 10 years have gone by. Look back and see how you handled the situation that is bothering you. What decisions did you make? Why? Are you satisfied with the outcome. No? Do some more imagining. Change things. If nothing else, realize that in 10 years, this will all be behind you.
A Bit of Anatomy & Physiology
The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo DaVinci
The body's nervous system is comprised of two main parts, the sympathetic and the para-sympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system corresponds to arousal, flight or fight response. The parasympathetic nervous system corresponds to openness, calm and acceptance. If we have enough response from the parasympathetic nervous system during a heart attack, it could even prevent it, or at least prevent damage. That is how powerful it is!
The adrenal glands are the control centers for our major hormones. When we are stressed, and in flight or fight mode, certain hormones kick in to help save us from danger. Our appetite shuts down, our heart speeds up, adrenaline rushes through our blood, and our muscles tense for battle. We can even see and hear better. This is helpful, as it can save us. But, when we stay in that mode for too long, without any real danger, our bodies suffer and often the result is anxiety, panic, or depression. Too often, in today's world, we are in fight or fight mode too often without good cause. It is important to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system by learning to remain calm, being more open and more accepting of ourselves and others.
Negative People & Relationships
Negative people are not always as obvious as you may think. It is easy to recognize a temper tantrum or certain forms of sarcasm as being negative. But, sometimes that sweet guy you married or that co-worker who always offers to help you out on their break can be very negative characters. There are those who have hidden agendas and allow their 'negativities' to build up before blowing up on others or by engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors. Either way, negativity is the enemy of the soul and if you or someone you closely know are negative on a regular basis you will begin to feel it in your body.
The most damaging of situations to your energy field is the abusive relationship. Highly Sensitive Women are often attracted to men who are not highly sensitive. No doubt, there is a certain security to be felt in being with someone you feel you can lean on to help you through your sensitivities, but sooner or later you will realize the only one who can make you secure is you. If you are in a relationship where you feel that you and your mate are living in two different worlds, even though you are together, you are probably unequally yolked to someone who is not highly sensitive and really has no real understanding of what it means to be you. Your mate must understand what it means to be highly sensitive for your relationship to work, and love you regardless, or your relationship, which may have started out beautifully enough may end up creating two souls who always believe in the worst, act out of selfishness, or become immobilized by insecurity, usually both, with retaliation as a main theme.
In positive relationships being highly sensitive doesn't interfere with the foundation of the relationship. In fact, it can even spark some healthy conversation, but in negative or abusive relationships (relationships based on insecurity and fear), it takes its toll, especially for the Highly Sensitive Woman who feels that much more deeply and whose health, sanity and esteem are affected by her deep feelings and thoughts.
Negative people will surprise us with jabs when our guards are down. They are good at it. The next time this happens, cross your arms over your upper stomach and lower chest to help protect your Solar Plexus and Heart chakras. These are the feeling centers of your body. You can also protect your aura (your energy field) by surrounding yourself in a bubble of white light. When you really need protection, run into your imaginary castle court yard (in your mind) and draw up the draw bridge!
Understanding and intimacy are vital factors in developing healthy relationships. Intimacy is the ability to be close, to be yourself, and to feel safe in that closeness as you reveal yourself to another. This takes understanding and kindness. You cannot have intimacy without understanding and kindness.
To continually be the light and lift someone else's negativity, or be the garbage can for it, is draining. It is true that positive breeds positive and light lifts away darkness. But, it is a hard road to travel and why should you? Your very soul suffers, it is tiring, you lose energy, and you become dis-eased.
You cannot live an unhealthy lifestyle and expect to become healthy. If your mate and your friends are not supportive of you emotionally, their neglect will weigh you down. In fact, it can be increasingly difficult to get away from these people and situations because you are so continually drained.
Fools & Relationships
There are times when being a Highly Sensitive Woman may lead you to believe that everyone who is not highly sensitive must be asleep in their lives, or be an absolute fool, but this isn't so. We need the 'others' and they need us in order to fulfill our purposes while we are here on earth. However, there are real fools in our midst...
...and it is the 'fool' that we could all live without.
The bible talks a lot about fools and offers advice. Check out Proverbs. There is absolutely nothing we can do with, for, or about a fool to make things any better. A true fool resists any good advice, will not hear criticism (no mater how nicely it is presented), is impatient, crude, rude, angry, sometimes violent, often addicted (to caffeine, sex, gambling, alcohol, etc.), never says he is sorry, has no compassion, believes he is right about everything, justifies all of his thoughts and actions with nonsense, and can be completely charming. He is never truly sorry. Hr rarely feels shame, guilt, or remorse. He can experience regret, sadness, and fear, but only when it applies to himself. And furthermore, he can be intelligent and irresistible over and over again. By the way, when ongoing, this is also the definition of a psychopath.
Not everyone who appears overly charming, controlling, or unable to learn from past mistakes is a psychopath. A true psychopath shows a lifetime pattern of these kinds of attitudes and behaviors. We all act foolish from time to time, have personal failings of one kind or another, so don't go around calling someone a psychopath until you know for sure. Usually, we learn from our foolishness and move on. Still, do your homework if you think you might be involved with one.
Negativity in Relationships F.Y.I.
If someone will not respect your needs after telling them what they are, is it worth staying? Consider this. Constant worrying or arguing with a mate will keep you in the 'flight or fight' response mode. It is like being in danger all of the time, which affects your digestive system. This can begin to make you feel sick and will eventually effect your immune system.
Is your relationship worth feeling sick over or worth possibly dying for? Because once we start to have digestion problems, we begin to have a myriad of other problems.
We cannot live an unhealthy lifestyle and remain healthy. We can't. It is an impossibility. If you think or hear bad thoughts long enough, you'll end up with bad chemistry (stress affects our hormones as well), which falls under...psychoneuroimmunology.
Stop worrying about what you cannot do, or cannot change about yourself, and focus on what you can. Start with your thoughts. If the world has become a scary place for you, start by being thankful for what you have instead of what you don't have. You may not have money, but maybe you can walk. You may not have clothes, but you can see. You might not have a great marriage and you may have to leave it behind, but your children put their arms around you tonight and told you that they love you. Be glad for the small things. Little by little, your positive thoughts will change your world to a place where you can live, love, and laugh again!
Place yourself among positive people who really care about you personally. If this isn't possible, attend some positive seminars, start a new class somewhere, join a church. Get a new job or career. Be where the energy is filling, not draining. Become selective of the company you keep.
Older women have a harder time with the feeling of loss. As we get older, we lose things in our life. We lose parents, pets, friends, our youth, and if we are not careful, our hope. At the same time, there is a yearning to let go of all that is unimportant in our lives and to move on to a place of simplicity and authenticity. Menopause is often a precursor to this new way of thinking. Consider you values and what is meaningful to you. Live that.
Negativity On the Job
Highly Sensitive Women must lend extra consideration in choosing their careers and places of employment, as highly sensitive people truly value being of help and service to others. In fact, anything less won't do and accepting less can make the HSW become ill. For HSWs variety is definitely the spice of life. Repetitious work can become boring rather quickly, and being bored leads to emotional and physical stress. It is important for HSW to be challenged in a positive ways and yet be able to work calm and stable environments (the closer to nature the better), to be able to set one's own pace, and to own the ability to make independent decisions.
Most HSW are idealists, seeing the world not how it is, but how it could be. This can cause stress on the job, as HSWs are organizers and fixers, constantly striving to improve things. It is important to choose work where this gift is recognized and appreciated. Unfortunately, most companies are wrote, meaning they want things done the way they've always been done. Coloring outside of the lines is not encouraged, causing frustration (on both sides), and can even be the cause of dismissal when the HSW is perceived as rocking the boat.
If you are unhappy in your job, consider what it is you really want to do with your talent and begin taking steps to get there. Beef up your resume, take an online class, or go back to school part time. Don't stay in a job that you know is killing you.
Fearful Relationships Hurt
Fear is a trauma based emotion. Whether you are dealing with phobias, an abusive relationship or post traumatic stress, fear will greatly impact the body if it is not dealt with. If you have been the victim of years of trauma, no matter how old you were (or are now), you may not even know what it is like to live without fear. You may not even remember what caused it in the first place.
How often do you feel nervous or panicky? Do you feel you have to 'walk on egg shells' all of the time? Do you jump or startle easily? Are your muscles tense? Do you get stomach pain or a headaches easily when under normal stress? Do you grow silent or cry easily when confronted? If so, you are likely experiencing trauma related fear.
When you were in the trauma situation it was normal to feel fear or terror. Unless you are still in a situation that is dangerous for you, it is important to learn to work through your fear and then leave it in the past where it belongs. If you are still in danger, it is important for you to try to get out of that situation and protect yourself. Constantly being fearful is unhealthy.
Do not make the mistake of thinking it is easier, or safer, to stay where you are.
This may be easier said than done for the Highly Sensitive Woman who often prefers the safety of the 'known' and for whom 'the unknown' can bring on physical symptoms of stress. Fear of the unknown can stop us you in your tracks, make you drop anchor and tell yourself you are content, for whatever reason, right where you are. Avoiding fear and anxiety will prevent you from overcoming it. It can keep you bound to safe people and safe places (agoraphobia), which are just structures of false security. As impossible as it may seem, you can still achieve victory! Remember to take action! Feeling follows action and positive action creates positive feelings.
One of the worst forms of abuse has nothing to do with violence, but will lead to it if it is not put in check. Some people do not consider themselves abused because they are not physically hit, pushed, shoved, or kicked by their mates. Verbal abuse causes soul murder long before the abuser physically harms them. As a part of your 'taking action', if you even remotely think your mate is abusive or cruel, if you do nothing else, I recommend you purchase and read the book by Patricia Evans, The Verbally Abusive Relationship.
If you have a relationship you feel is worth saving, take action to make your significant other feel special. This may be something as simple as listening. Do the things you used to do in the beginning when all that mattered was showing how much you cared.
If, on the other hand, if you are in a relationship that is dominated by negative feelings or is abusive, you may have to take smaller actions and 'baby-step' your way out of it. You may have to take action as far as doing what is necessary to become more independent. If there is the potential for violence in your relationship, be careful. It may be best to keep your ideas to yourself or between yourself, a trusted friend, or an organization for now.
Worry can kill you. Worry causes stress and stress can harm you. If you find yourself worrying about 'what-ifs', it is time to face your fear. Identify it. What are you afraid of, exactly? Take a piece of paper. Write down all of the 'What Ifs" that frighten you. Under that, write the question "Why?" and then write down the worst case scenario. Continue writing this way until you reach the truth, the real fear under all of your worry. It doesn't matter if your fear is selfish or not. Most fears are, unless they are fears for someone else's safety. Once you define your fear, face it constructively and begin to make a plan for what you will do should the worst case scenario ever happen. This takes the worry out of the fear. The fear may still be there, but the worry will not.
Most worry stems from not having a plan. If you are caught in a negative cycle of worry, start planning. Even if you think you will never carry out your plan, come up with a plan anyway. You might surprise yourself!
Happiness is when what you think,
what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
- Mahatma Ghandi
Negativity, Depression & Dis-ease
Some people become dis-eased from not being at-ease for too long a period. When the mind is out of balance from negative thoughts and emotions the body physiologically changes. This can cause negative emotions and wrong thinking. Our thoughts can actually recreate our cellular material causing us to become ill due to changes in brain chemistry.
Our bodies can't help but follow our thoughts. Our molecules move along at a certain speed. Positive thoughts increase vibrational speed (energy) and negative thoughts decrease them. So if we are thinking positively, or around positive people, our energy levels will rise. Have you ever felt perked up and energized when someone you liked walked into a room?
On the other hand, negative people, who have lower energy frequencies, pull energy away from us. They drain us. The thing is, energized folks can handle it. This is why it is important to be around positive people. They lift our vibrations to a higher level so we can handle the occasional negative person.
Highly Sensitive Women draw in energies, both positive and negative, like a sponge. Constantly being around even one negative person on a regular basis will keep you depleted of your life force. You will find it hard to make decisions about even the most mundane things. You will feel tired and anxious. If you can avoid a person or place that brings you dis-ease, please do so.
For more on anxiety and depression, visit the TCL Anxiety & Phobias (Depression Too!) web page.
Physical Correspondences to Emotional 'Hurts'
Eyes: Having no insight toward purpose in life while here on earth.
Neck: Heart and mind are not bridged in alignment.
Shoulders: Bearing burdens and the weight of the world on our own.
Lungs: Great, or ongoing, grief and sadness.
Liver: Carrying around anger.
Stomach: Feeling as though, or believing, we have no control.
Back & Legs: Being financially or emotionally unsupported.
Knees: Facing difficulty in surrendering to a higher will.
Feet: Having trouble standing up for what we believe in.
When Anxiety Rules
Anxiety often stems from feeling you do not have the right to be angry when you actually do have a right. Stuff your anger down inside of yourself, long enough, and you will begin to lose hope. From there you will follow the road of apathy.
Anxiety is also caused by not having a very good sense, or perspective, about risk. What this means is that when any risks are taken, no matter how large or small, fear is disproportionate to the risk and anxiety sets in. This often stems from perfectionism and fear of making a mistake.
Anxiety is also caused from not being able to handle randomness. Random events can leave one feeling powerless. In fact, not having control of situations, emotions or even your own body can cause extreme anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a form of anxiety that often has it's roots in early childhood stemming from separation from a parent or some other safe person. Fear of abandonment or separation from those we love in current relationships are often a result of this kind of early childhood trauma.
There are physical reasons for anxiety, such as pH imbalance (chemical imbalances), hypoglycemia and diabetes, injuries to the neck or spine, and allergies. It is important to rule these out. Most often, anxiety is related to negative thinking. Anxiety is energy imbalance.
Anxiety Self-Help Exercise
When we are anxious it is often because we feel we have no control over a situation and will fall apart if things go badly for us. We imagine worst-case scenarios and freak out over them, which makes mountains out of mole-hills and leads to even worse worst-case scenarios, right?
Rather than think about worst case scenarios, think of the best-case scenario in your situation. You may be facing something in your life right now that really frightens you. Grab a piece of paper and write down the worst thing that could happen to you in this situation. Then, write down the best thing that could happen to you in this same situation. Most likely, what will really happen is somewhere in the mix and you will be able to handle that. Plan for the worst. Do what you can do, but expect better.
For example, you have a speech coming up in one of your classes. You fear public speaking.
#1. Worst-case scenario is that you will shake tremble, forget your words, feel like a fool and perhaps even pass out. The ambulance will come and they won't take you because, after all, you only had an anxiety attack. Now you are sitting on the floor, sweating, with your classmates surrounding you asking you if you are OK. You are humiliated and defeated and you still have to give your speech at some point. You want to die.
#2. Best-case scenario (the one to focus on) is that you will have one of your better days and sail right through your speech. Everyone is focused on you and you find you are loving the attention of the group and the feeling of self confidence that washes over you. The teacher commends you on your articulate presentation and you walk away with an A. Afterwards, you are calm and collected as classmates comment on your fascinating topic.
#3. The most-likely scenario goes like this. You realize this is going to be a difficult day for you, so you make sure you are well prepared ahead of time. You go over your speech in the mirror. You tape it as you rehearse, and check for anything you would like to change, until you are satisfied with your presentation. The night before, you lay out your outfit for the next day and go to bed early enough to get a good night's sleep. In the morning you eat a balanced breakfast before dressing, pocket your lucky charm and head to school. On the way, you imagine everything going perfectly. When you get there and it is your turn to speak, your palms get a little sweaty, your heart beat speeds up but you take a few deep breaths and begin. Somewhere in the middle of your speech you realize you are not going to faint, no ambulances will have to come and you relax some. You keep speaking. You are sounding calm and self assured. By the end of your speech you wonder what all the fuss was about and you happily receive your A and visit with your classmates afterwards.
#1 scenario lets you know what you need to work on and plan ahead for, #2 scenario tells you what your deepest wish or need is and #3 scenario will always be a better one when you focus on #2!
Feeling Hopeless?
If you feel that everything that was valuable about your life is fading or is gone. If you feel dead inside (which is 'apathy'), ask yourself what it is that you no longer have that used to bring you joy, peace and contentment. What basic needs were not being met that landed you on this path?
Was it love? Love yourself. Show someone else you love them!
Trust? Begin listening to your gut hunches.
Affection? Turn your bathroom into a spa tonight or go hug someone.
Creativity? Paint, cook, pot a plant, move your furniture around, buy a new couch pillow.
Energy? Get some rest, talk to a friend, laugh and eat better.
Playfulness? Go swing at the park. Get a kite, ride your bike. Dance! Wrestle! Go find a rock or shell you like on the beach.
A pet? Get one. Better yet, borrow one for the day!
A nicer home or area of town? This will take some planning, but set some goals. Put up pictures around the house of where you wish to live and how you'd like to decorate.
A better job? Revamp your resume! (See 'Negativity On the Job' above.)
Your health? Get a check up and follow The Captains Lady's guidelines (with care provider permission of course!).
A better relationship with your children, family members, or friends? Listen, apologize, tell them you love them, spend time with them (not in front of a screen).
Did Someone Die?
The hardest part about being human and having a loved one die is the physical inability to use your physical senses to communicate with them. We can no longer see, hear, touch, smell, or taste them. There's no more conversations, hugs, or kisses. Regardless of your religious beliefs, you can still talk to those who have gone on. Even if you think 'dead-is-dead', you can still talk to them and imagine their answers to you. If you can imagine that 'dead-is-dead', that you will never see them again, that they are gone forever, and that you will grieve the rest of your life, then you can also imagine that they are standing by your side, hear the words you speak to them, and that they will always be there for you. Imagination is a gift. Use it.
Instead of talking, write your loved one a letter and tell them everything you never got a chance to say or would like to say now. It may not seem like much, but on some level of your being, sharing with them through words on paper is healing. You can't get them back, but you can come to a place of feeling you never really lost them. Whatever stops you from having or doing the things that made you happy, deal with that. That is where you begin. Start doing the things that used to make you happy today.
Emotional Grounding: An Exercise
What you think, you will become. It is true. If you think you are happy and satisfied, you will be. If you think you are a loser and will never amount to anything, you will be that as well. Often, we are not even aware of what we are thinking. In fact, it may not seem like we are thinking all of the time, it can seem more like we are just 'feeling' all of the time. It is important to know the thoughts behind the feelings so that we can change them if they are negative.
Writing can help us to gain perspective on what we are feeling. If you are feeling negatively, and don't know why, take out a piece of paper and write the answers to these questions/
"What am I feeling?" Write down your answer.
Then, ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this way?" Write down your answer.
Keep doing this until you have the core answer. You'll know when you have the core answer because you will have gone as far with your answers as you can go.
Then ask yourself, "Do I have any real reason to feel this way?" Explore your answers.
Then, ask yourself, "Realistically, what can I do about this right now, today, that will make me feel better?" Answer your question. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to do this?” Answer your question. If you answer is no, ask yourself why.
If you aren't ready to do it, or it is beyond your means, don't waste time feeling bad about it. It is enough to know what you are feeling and why. You will now have some idea of what you will need to do to feel better as well.
If, during your writing, you discovered that you are bad talking yourself, (I'm so stupid, I could never do this or that, I screwed up, I'm too scared...etc.), make a commitment to give yourself pep talks and compliments the rest of the week. Be your own best friend. You will begin to feel better, I promise!
If you are able to do something about the way you feel, and want to, do it. If you are not able, are stuck or want to hold off, I suggest making a 'Prayer or Wish Box'. This box is where you keep your written down prayer, wish or trouble put away for a bit. Often, when you come back to them, you will find prayers have been answered and problems have been solved!
Get Your Hugs In!
Touch is important. Without regular doses of love and affection our 'feel good' brain chemical levels drop. As a result, depression can develop, which can cause all manner of symptoms, including chronic pain! This applies to everyone from 1 to 100+! Get your hugs in, ladies! You will not live as long without them. Go in search of those you can hug. Makes no difference who's getting or giving as long as they are received.
Pay attention to your hugs. I think we, as humans, are far too distracted during a hug. We talk during hugs. Our insecurities get in the way of hugs. Even if we don't think about them, we may feel them. Am I hugging to hard? Am I hugging too long? Am I standing too close? Is anyone watching me? In the midst of a hug we are already walking or pushing away and we often don't stop to look at the person we have hugged. Part of hugging is living in the moment and making eye contact (at some point), being there, actively giving and accepting. Don't miss the moment!
Commit to Doing at Least One Wonderful Thing Daily!
If you wait to feel like doing something, you may never do it.
If you feel awful, do something wonderful, or something that needs doing. You will feel better! It will work. Why? Because it takes far less energy to get up and do something than it does to sit around worrying about things. If there is nothing else to do, get up and do some maintenance activities. Do the dishes, paint your toes, or tackle the hall closet. Decide you are going outdoors today to find a pet rock. Maybe you could call or write someone that needs you. Who or what have you neglected lately? Get the focus off of you.
Boosting Your Self-Esteem as a HSW
Sometimes, when we have low energy, it is all we can do to crawl out of bed in the morning, brush our teeth, and try to put a smile on our face for our coworkers, spouses and friends. Some of us get very good at going through the motions, but inside we know that life is not right.
This feeling of internal stand still leads to inaction and apathy. If we are not careful, it can also lead to thoughts of no longer 'being'. If this is you, take heart. It is vital is to have a plan, to boost your self-esteem, regardless of your situation, which is outlined and explained in the TCL e-book, The Building Self-Esteem Daily Energy Wellness Guide.
Mari,
I wanted to say that I came to your site from the HHA site and found your comments and assistance to others to be very insightful. After coming to your site, I know why. Right now I am assisting in two chakra painting, healing classes and your site is so helpful. My journey began approximately one year ago, although I have always felt I was trying to reach for something, not knowing what that something was. It took my mother passing and her nudging me in a particular direction to open my eyes. I have always been in service to others. Right now I am surrounded with others that are of a like mind and have been able to assist others better because I see things in a different way. Thank you for your site, love and light to you as you have given this love and light to others.
- Sharon
Boreas by John Waterhouse
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse or rape...
...RAINN has an Online Hotline that provides free, live and confidential help, 24/7 at http://www.rainn.org. It doesn't matter if the assault took place yesterday, last year, 10 years ago, or even 40 years ago. They are there to help anyone who has been affected by sexual violence. For more information, their number is 1.800.656.HOPE.
Tacoma Emergency Hotlines & Shelters
Sometimes, we need a life preserver to stay afloat.
Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-562-6025
Suicide Prevention - 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Line - 253-798-4333
Sexual Assault Center - 253-474-7273
Crisis Pregnancy Center - 253-383-2988
Runaway Hotline - 1-800-786-2929
Shelter for single women and families:
Salvation Army Emergency Shelter - 1521 6th Avenue, 253-627-3962
Tacoma Rescue Mission - 609 south 15th Street, 253-272-1974
Shelter for battered women and families (boys up to age 12):
YWCA Women's Support Shelter - 405 Broadway, 253-383-2593
Family Renewal Shelter - 253-475-9010
Shelter for teens:
Gateways Project Safe Place - 10223 Gravelly lake Dr. SW, 253-584-8064
Shelter for single men or women with children:
Agape - 2901 South 8th Street, 253-572-4357
Shelter for men and women:
Martin Luther King Center - 1424 Tacoma Avenue, 253-682-1359
When you live out your values
and feel satisfied with your relationships,
you will feel secure.
-Gary Null
May Love & Energy Be Yours!
www.thecaptainslady.com
