The Night I Slayed My Enemy in a Church Parking Lot then Learned to Live by The LORI Factor

BY LORI BRUTON

o without me. Suicide is on the rise. Too many people feel lost, lonely, and hopeless, and su er in silence as I did.

I found it imperative to reinvent myself and reclaim my life. I have learned to heal from the pain and not bury it. I have learned to forgive myself and the people who have hurt me. I know how to love and value myself now. I realize that life is God’s gi to us, and how we live our lives is our gi to God. at Lori who was drunk under a truck in a church parking lot is gone.

I embarked on a journey of rebirth, discovering and developing myself to become the best version of myself. is transformation resulted in extraordinary gi s emerging through faith, awareness, and belief. No longer was I under the dark spell that had me sleepwalking through life.

I ran from religion and rituals into the arms of God. When I let go of God, it led to destruction. My relationship with Him and seeing myself as God sees me restored my mind, body, and soul and restored my health.

sidewalk in a rage until I came to a liquor store. How can I numb this intense pain? Forcing a smile and hiding my tears, I purchased a big bottle of liquor.

ere was a cold chill inside my mind and body. Brown bag in hand, I walked back to my car oblivious of my surroundings. Sitting in the driver’s seat, I unscrewed the bottle and let the alcohol pour into me, hoping to numb the pain. e enemy consumed me and took control. I was going nowhere in my parked car. e only thing driving now was the alcohol as I stumbled out of my car and fell onto the stones. I crawled until I passed out drunk under a truck in that church parking lot.

Prior to that night, I believed I would bring love and hope to others when I signed up for the ministry training class at that church. Instead, darkness fell upon me and opened doors from my past that I thought were closed. Each week, the instructor covered topics including death, divorce, abusive relationships, alcohol abuse, addictions, domestic violence, and more.

What happened to me that night in the parking lot was the culmination of what the instructor said and the years of hurt buried inside me. My own experiences were triggered, including my parent’s divorce and witnessing domestic violence. I looked out the tiny basement window and saw a rainstorm brewing. I was about to encounter the storm brewing in my mind, which was much worse. I had a beautiful loving home with a good husband and two wonderful sons. I loved my family. I was living the life I wanted. Unexpectedly, the darkness of my past crept in and devoured my happy home.

My father le our home when I was about thirteen and that was one of the hardest things to accept. I made poor decisions, looking for love in all the wrong places.

One night during class, the instructor asked me to leave instead of showing compassion. e weight and humiliation of banishment broke me into a million pieces.

e hurt was so intense. at is how I ended up a broken, intoxicated mess passed out drunk under his truck in the church parking lot that ominous night.

e shame ate me up, and engaging in toxic relationships became my norm. I attempted to end my life. I thought everyone would be better is transformation lled me with hope. at’s when people began to call me the Queen of Hope. What I do now is celebrate myself, my wins, and stay thankful. Laughter, fun, and travel are essential for mental and physical health.

I love this quote by Les Brown: “When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up.” I got up and am living life by what I call e LORI Factor.

L – LOOK through the Lord’s loving eyes to see a larger vision of your life and create a vision of yourself beyond your circumstances and mental conditioning.

O – OPTIMISM: Have an optimistic spirit and retain the possibility that you can change your life.

R – REINVENT yourself. Be willing to make radical changes in your behavior to live a purposeful life.

I – INVEST in yourself. Bet on you. You’re an asset to the planet. You have something special. You have greatness in you. You’re a masterpiece because you are a piece of the Master.

I wrote a book about it. Beyond that, I enjoy showing others how to live the life they were born to live. My hope is that my story empowers others and saves lives.

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Kitchen

DESIGN

With

HEALTH AND ERGONOMICS

In Mind

(NAPSI)—Whether you’re among the 50 million Americans over 65 (90 percent of whom hope to continue to age at home), the 60 percent of families with children at home, have other ability issues or safety concerns or think you could someday, incorporating ergonomic elements that promote a seamless experience in the kitchen can make it a more comfortable place for everyone for many years to come.

Smart Sinks Given the amount of time spent in front of the sink, selecting one that considers your lifestyle and how you cook should be a priority. Details such as the durability and hygienic qualities of a sink’s material along with its style and size can impact efficiency and comfort.

For example, the latest sink from BLANCO, a manufacturer of finely crafted sinks, is designed to enhance workflow and accommodate all users. A first of its kind, the IKON® 33” Apron 1 3/4 Bowl with Low Divide sink is made with the brand’s exclusive SILGRANIT granite composite material. Easy to clean and scratch resistant, patented SILGRANIT material is a repellent, nonporous surface that eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals when cleaning.

The IKON sink also has a convenient low divide that sits just 5 1/2” from the sink bottom, making it easier to handle large pots and baking sheets while still dividing the sink into cleaning and prepping bowls. The apron front or farmhouse design, minimizes the need to lean over as much and so helps reduce strain.

Optional accessories further enhance comfort and workflow. A floating grid provides an extra level within the sink so handling hot and heavy pots can be safer and easier. A Floating Cutting Board that fits right on top of the sink instantly creates another workspace beyond the countertop.

Faucets Semi-professional and pull-down faucet models help make clean-up more efficient with their easy-to-maneuver design and powerful dual spray features. To make washing hands, food and dishes easier, consider a faucet with sensor technology such as the BLANCO SOLENTA™ Senso Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet that lets you turn on the water with a wave of your hand. You don’t have to touch the faucet with your hands to get them clean—or if they’re full. Other ways to enhance the ergonomics in your kitchen include:

• Use drawers instead of cabinets for storage so there’s less reaching

• Install different countertop heights to accommodate various users

• Raise the height of the dishwasher and oven if you can

• Select nonporous counter materials like quartz that are easy to keep clean

• Use LED lights for more brightness from less energy and that are cool to the touch

• Consider an easy-to-clean induction cooking surface—it can reduce energy costs, too Learn More: For further facts about sinks and faucets that can make your kitchen safer, more efficient and even better looking, visit blancoamerica.com.

Exercising outdoors in winter can be exhilarating, but athletes must prioritize staying warm and safe for the duration of their workouts.

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