I POSTED THIS ON EN BUT THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A BETTER PLACE FOR IT.<P>This morning I went in search of a divorce support group in my area and found there were none. So I've decided to start one. <BR>I thought that since I'm not a believer in divorce, I didn't want to call it a "Divorce Support Group." So I'm calling it "New Hope - A Marriage in Crises Support Group." <P>I started making phone calls and found a retired pastor that occasionally does Marriage Recovery seminars -- he's interested in participating. I also made a whole list of possible resources including counselors, hospitals, motivational speakers, education counselors, credit counselors, domestic abuse specialists, grief counselors, realtors, bankers, lawyers, and of course, MB. <P>I'm compiling a reading list that includes the books recommended here and many others. I also started a list of possibilities. Here are just a few of my favorites:<P>1. Non-judgmental environment<BR>2. Focus 1st on marriage recovery<BR>3. Support "teams" of 2-3 people for outside of the group contact<BR>4. Social events and functions<BR>5. How to "let go" without giving up<BR>6. Getting happy and healthy again<BR>7. Surviving an affair<BR>8. Grieving<BR>9. Making a difference in other people's lives and the world<BR>10. Making good decisions and life choices<BR>11. Creating your "new" life<BR>12. Setting goals and planning for the future<BR>13. Budgeting and credit counseling<BR>14. Dating again<BR>15. Group resources - bartering and trading services<BR>16. Volunteering<BR>17. Maintaining a healthy environment for children<BR>18. Job and career focus<BR>19. Exercise, beauty, grooming, feeling good about ourselves<BR>20. National Chaptering!!!<P>I have dozens more!! I love this idea. Not only will it help me by getting it going and having a positive project to work on, but I can help other people who are going through the same things as I am. This is going to be just a fantastic recovery tool for myself and others - a unique support group that I created myself! Yahooooo! I'm so excited!<P>I would love to have your input, contributions and ideas. If anyone is interested in doing the same thing in their communities, let me know and I will share my whole list of ideas and resources to help get it started.<P>My life just got a whole lot brighter -- I'm on my way! Sometimes we have to create a place in the world for possibility and not be put off by fear and self-doubt. We are all good, strong, caring people here and <B>can</B> make a difference in the world!<P><P>------------------<BR>Love and Prayers,<BR>KristyAnn<P>Marriage is not built on convenience, success, health, or prosperity. It is a covenant between two people who are loved by God. -Dekruyter

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KristyAnn,<P>What a wonderful idea. Good does come out of the ashes of bad, and you are proving it. If you can help even one person...you have provided a great service.<P>I don't know what I could do, but please know that if I can be of any help I will. There are so many people out there who share this pain...MB posters are just the tip of the iceburg...what about all of the people that have who have not found MB or anything else to help them through.<P>Good for you, you sound really excited. Please keep up the good work.<P>allison

I am in the process of looking for a support group as you describe. Where are you located? Sounds like you have some great ideas.<P>Acacia<P>PS: Good for you. What an insprational post!

Kristy Ann-<BR>What a wonderful idea! You sound so excited and positive. Good for you. And keep us posted on how the group is going.

Dear Allison, Acacia and Cloudy,<P>Thank you for your replies! Acacia, I am in Colorado, but even if you are not close to where I am, you could do the same thing that I'm doing! Even if there is a "Divorce Support Group" this one is unique. Focusing more on recovery rather than divorce. I would love to send you some of the information I've compiled if you are interested and have your contributions -- two minds thinking along the same lines are better than one!<P>Allison, if you would like to see my info and offer some feedback, even if you are wanting to get one going, that would be okay. Just having this to work on has given my life some new meaning.<P>Thanks for all your support. Let me know if you want the skinny on my support group plans. <P><P>------------------<BR>Love and Prayers,<BR>KristyAnn<P>Marriage is not built on convenience, success, health, or prosperity. It is a covenant between two people who are loved by God. -Dekruyter

Dear Allison and Acacia,<P>I would like to share some of my ideas with you and get you thinking about making a difference in your own communities. <P>The local response I've received so far has been wonderful. It's not hard for people to get on board with an idea like this because it can be so helpful to people who are hurting and in need. Plus, your referral source (counselors, attorneys, etc.) have some business benefit that will come out of it besides creating goodwill in their personal practices. Once you get a few "team players" in place, you can start delegating some of the work that it will take to put this together. So if a feeling of being overwhelmed with the task is an issue, don't let that deter you from engaging in this experience. It is so do-able!<P>Thanks for listening. I hope to hear back from you soon.<P><P>------------------<BR>Love and Prayers,<BR>KristyAnn<P>Marriage is not built on convenience, success, health, or prosperity. It is a covenant between two people who are loved by God. -Dekruyter