The Compassionate Friends

honor the memories of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon.

The death of a child is traumatic, and parents grieve no matter the age of their son or daughter, whether infants or adults forty and older. A parent never recovers from the loss of a child; it’s not the natural order of life.

There were also many sorts of deaths, but there is no judgment only understanding. Everybody who attends is in a different phase of their grief journey. Some are new to the group and have just recently experienced the loss; others have attended meetings for years, helping others to cope with their loss. Many of the longtime attendees become the leaders of the groups, who welcome the new people, and read the names of those children whose birthdays are that particular month.

There are guidelines to participation. Nobody is obliged to speak, but when it is your turn to speak, others must listen. You are asked to speak only of your own experience and not to offer solutions to others. If your faith has been helpful that is fine, but some people have a difficult time and experience anger at God or their higher power. At meetings it’s fine to cry, and it’s also fine to laugh. Many people attending say that The Compassionate Friends has been a life saver for them. If you, or someone you know, has lost a child, sibling, or grandchild, please let them know there is a caring support group available to help guide them through their grief.

The mission of TCF is to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process. I know that it has been a great help to me.

More information at www.tcfatlanta.org or www.compassionatefriends.org

Small Business Spotlight: Three Ways to Support Local Small Businesses

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

There are millions of small businesses in the United States and so many in our community owned by passionate people working hard to make their dreams a reality. Rather than buying from a big retailer the next time you need something, consider supporting the locally owned businesses around you. When you support a small business, you’re not only helping build your community, but also directly impacting someone’s life. Every customer counts when it comes to small business, which means your dollars can help that small business owner thrive.

For example, as the nation’s largest insurer, State Farm® has more than 19,000 agents who are small business owners themselves, and who are committed to restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods, and investing in the communities where they live and work. This desire to help started 100 years ago when the company was founded by a farmer who was concerned that big city insurance companies would not serve the specific needs of his business and community.

Here are three simple ways to support small businesses and have a positive impact:

1) Get to know your community through its businesses

Your support matters all year long. For many people, this means shifting their mindset to thinking about local options first and getting to know the types of products and services your local businesses are providing. Whether you are purchasing items for yourself or someone else, start to understand how these local businesses can fill your needs. Don’t forget, many small businesses offer gift cards, which are wonderful ways to show ongoing support.

2) Support small business service providers

Small businesses aren’t just for tangible goods. Many provide important services, such as your local mechanic, dentist, or plumbing company. So, no matter your needs, try and find businesses that are active in the community. You can spot these businesses by seeing how they engage with their neighbors. Look for the providers that are going above and beyond to support the neighborhood and other small businesses. By supporting those that have a strong investment in your community, you are helping them create a greater impact.

3) Share your experiences

Many small businesses rely on satisfied customers to tell others so they can grow their client base. People trust word of mouth, so your effort makes a difference. In fact, more than eight out of 10 people around the world said they completely or somewhat trust the recommendations of friends and family, according to Nielsen. Plus, two-thirds said they trust online opinions from consumers. So, tell a friend in person, share a post on social media, or leave a positive review online.

If you’re a small business owner, consider using your platform to build up other entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. The next time you have a need arise, think of how a small business can help. Every effort counts to build your community, show your support, and ensure you continue to have thriving small businesses near you. (BPT) there for them. Though some of the stigma is finally fading around issues of mental health, and there is actually a new 24-hour mental crisis prevention hotline, 9-8-8, many may still be overwhelmed by a sudden hostile turn of events.

I am speaking of the damage that can be wrought by an unexpected divorce, loss of a job, or sudden death of a partner or family member. Having attempted to be there for friends and family experiencing each of these circumstances during 2022, I can also attest that at times the offer of assistance/support is not readily accepted. Still, I can assure you that the offer of a helping hand is noted, and at least inside their heart and mind, it is appreciated.

We don’t get to choose the cards we get dealt, only how we react and play that hand. Many view adversity and conflict as insurmountable obstacles. They are not. In my mid-40s, after a productive decade with a global public relations firm, a personality conflict with my supervisor could no longer be avoided. I took a leap of faith and left the enterprise. There were some really challenging early years building out our small firm, but I have never looked back. And the successes since, economically and otherwise, would never have arrived in that other structure and environment.

Our youngest child was not planned, but once expected, we prepared as we understood hers might be a life with some cognitive

Continued from page 16 they use volunteers from the community, like the ROTC members from Parkview High School.

The organization’s newest project is Taste of Lilburn planned for April 29th at Heritage Hall. They are inviting restaurants to share their tastings with the community.

The club is hoping for about twenty-five vendors, along with a few craft vendors as well. If all goes well, the club hopes to make the Taste of Lilburn an annual event in the spring.

“We think Lilburn is looking for this,” she said. “Tastings are a really fun community event, and a nice event to add to the things we already do.”

Allred has been a part of the club for about five years now. When she joined, she was looking to have more of a connection with her community. She said it was her husband who encouraged her to check out the Lilburn Woman’s Group. Now she serves as the club’s president, and she really loves it.

“I love the people,” Allred said. “And I’ve learned so much from them. Working with one another you learn from one another and support one another. And I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people and welcoming their gifts – the things they have to offer. It’s just a really neat experience.”

For anyone interested in joining the club, prospective members are asked to attend at least a couple of the general meetings and a couple of different program meetings, so they can get a good idea about how the club works. This also allows members to get to know prospects as well. Members are required to be registered voters.

“We are looking for citizenship,” Allred said. “People who are likeminded who want to work with us and are interested in serving in the community.”

The GFWC Lilburn Woman’s Club is a nonprofit organization. Other ways to help include making a donation to support one of the many projects, or come out and support one of the many community events the club holds.

“If people want to support us, it helps a lot to have the financial support,” Allred said. “But the community participation helps, too. We enjoy it and that’s why we’re here.” and other health challenges. Our Olivia also turned out to be both the glue and the sunlight in our small family, particularly in those early years. My lucky number, 13, is considered bad luck and even a bad omen by many; yet time and again, in Las Vegas and elsewhere, it has delivered for me – again – those choices of how you play the hand.

More information at www.lilburnwomansclub.org.

Entering this year, with some familial rebounds underway, I can’t help but feel and believe that 2023 will bring us some wonderful surprises. Those too, require an appropriate attitude, gratitude, and response. I have again witnessed quite a few others blow some wonderful opportunities, primarily due to the sudden nature of the offered change of life and pace.

Don’t be afraid as you see those curve balls coming across the plate to seek advice and counsel from those whose opinions and thinking you admire most. Friends and family sincerely want to help you. The best of those have also learned the lesson of withholding their advice until it is sought, versus always having the best ideas to offer and suggest, unasked.

Enough parables for this column and day, but seriously as you go through 2023, remember how much easier it is to smile versus frown – two muscles versus a few dozen – to offer a handshake versus a stiff arm and raised palm. Never having been much of a great athlete, I typically missed those curve balls back in the day, but I did learn pretty quickly if you see them coming and lean in, the ball may glance or strike you, and you get that free base walk. Again, it’s all about those choices. Take care out there.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Continued from page 17 partners to break ground on the Rowen knowledge community, another gleaming example of intentional collaboration that will unlock opportunity for Gwinnett and beyond. Built atop a portion of the land being supported by our Eastern Regional Infrastructure project – which is bringing water, sewer, and trails to 8,500 acres in east Gwinnett –Rowen will be home to innovation in the agricultural, environmental and medical fields.”

Of the overall contractors, Rowen is prioritizing economic equity with a goal of 30% of the contractors being small, women, and minority-owned businesses.

R.U.T. – A Word for Your Day

trying to accomplish.

Continued from page 12

5. Take ACTION. After practicing the other four A’s, it is now time to put all that to work and pull yourself out of that R.U.T!

If you’ve been counting these five on your hand, you’ll notice your hand has opened up to show your palm. Take a look at your palm and notice that all your fingers are connected and held up so that you can function properly. With your palm wide open, there is one more A to add to the list: ACCOUNTABILITY. We all need accountability, whether we are self-disciplined to hold ourselves accountable or whether we need an outside resource. Create an accountability plan for yourself that can be your go-to next time you’re in a R.U.T. As a coach, that’s one of the benefits I offer, or any other coach offers. Not only are we your encourager and supporter, we are also steady accountability partners.

Today, I challenge you to do a R.U.T. audit. Are you Reinforcing Unrealistic Thoughts? If you are headed down a path or trajectory and are not able to accomplish it, this may be an indicator that you are in a R.U.T. Practice these five A’s, with accountability, to help you shift from Reinforcing Unrealistic Thoughts to Realistic Planning.

For more information visit www.janebishop.live