Monthly Archives: January 2017

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What are you afraid of?

Do you have a counselor?  Whether it’s sports, career, marriage or life in general, the role of a counselor is a necessary component for success!  I spoke with a few individuals this weekend about relationships and the necessity of getting some guidance to help them succeed and the response more often than not was, “We don’t need a counselor.”.  My question today is, “What are you afraid of?”.

What I’ve experienced in the counseling field is that people are apprehensive of seeking counseling for several reasons:

  • Not willing to deal with their reality
  • Exposing hidden truths
  • Lack of coping tools
  • Co-dependency
  • No self-worth
  • Lack of understanding

Why do  you go to the doctor?  You go because something is physically not right with your body.  It is that same reason that you should seek out a trusted professional to aid you when your life is out of alignment.  I gained so much insight about myself during my studies in Temperament Counseling that I’ve become a Licensed Counselor.  The benefits is brought not just to me but my marriage, my relationship with my children and even my career path has been greatly impacted by receiving the truth concerning my inborn and how God created me to cope.

Today, I want to challenge you to seek out the help that you need for any area of your life that you may be struggling in.  Anything that you’re facing at this moment should not keep you captive from moving forward and being a success.   Stop being afraid of the unknown; find a trusted counselor, face your situation, develop a strategy for change, and EMPOWER yourself to succeed!

#E2EO

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“Your” Grief Process

Last year, both of my parents passed away; my father in July and my mother in September. With them not being married, or even a couple, this caused for pools of emotions from two separate sets of siblings and at times became a bit challenging.  As a counselor, I found myself offering assistance in that capacity but not dealing with their passing on a personal level of being daughter, sister, mom or auntie.  As time has passed, I’m now seeing and feeling the loss in a different way; not just my experience but also the experiences of my siblings.

We all grieve in our own way.  Some have taken on compulsive habits that are addictive and harmful, some have become so occupied that they don’t have time to think about what’s taken place while others drift amiss, hoping that portions of this is a dream that they will soon awaken from. Regardless of the steps we take, we all have a grief process that we must go through in order to be healed from the loss.  I want to empower you today with a few thoughts:

  • don’t attempt to make others fit into “your” grief process, everyone grieves differently
  • don’t put a time limit on when one should move forward in life, such as with a new relationship
  • don’t tell someone that they’ve grieved long enough – that’s so harsh
  • be patient in your process, take each step as a teaching and healing tool
  • stay optimistic about life, a loss should not keep you in a depressed state, especially if it was someone who had a relationship with God
  • prepare to live again!

Life happens, death is inevitable – grief is real but we must for your own sanity understand your grief process and be willing to go through it your way.

Be Empowered,

Valerie  #E2EO

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And the Journey Begins!

Hello, my name is Valerie Burrell, and I am your Life Coach. Typing that even felt a little funny, as I was speaking it out of my mouth as I was typing it.  This is a defining moment in my life!!!  For several years, I had struggled with understanding my purpose in the earth, expecting that who I am and what I was supposed to do looked just like Susie – yet I didn’t measure up.  I had been driven by the instructions of others based on thier need of me and was miserable.  I have a relationship with Christ yet I hadn’t made him Lord over my life, nor was I relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance.  I was just going with the flow, accepting most of what people shared with me concerning my life and was stagnant and unproducive.

Today, my husband and I are launching out, striking while it’s hot, moving forward in the work that has been assigned to us on the earth.  Today, we are the moving vessel called The Empowerment Place!  You might say to yourself, “Valerie, you’ve been doing this for a few years now – what’s defferent and defining about this moment?” Good question! For the past two years, I have been studying.  Studying the Word of God, completing my Master’s degree and  becoming a Certified Christian Counselor.  I have poured into myself according to what the Holy Spirit was speaking to prepare me for this moment.  I am fully engaged in my purpose – that’s the defining moment!  For many of us, we go through the motions, we claim that we know who we are and what we’re supposed to do, yet we make no movement towards fulfillment of purpose.

Today, would you be brave enough to put fear, guilt, shame, unforgiveness or whatever it is that has held you captive – and start your journey on PURPOSE?  I was reminded last week that life isn’t supposed to be hard, it gets that way when we try to navigate our situations instead of relying on the one that was sent to comfort and guide us.  Benny and I are strategically BECOMING all that God has intended we be and it begins today.  My friends, move forward in what God has called you to.  Fulfill your purpose!  Aim high!  Win!! Be Empowered!  #E2EO