VOSAS MAGAZINE VOL 2 Issue 4 by VOSAS MAGAZINE

Letter from...

The Editor PERSONAL RETREAT How often do you really spend time alone? Be honest! Do you even have time to spend alone? Do you even want to spend time by yourself? These are all questions that I had to answer for myself. I’m an empty nester now so it is easy for me to take the time I need, but looking back on my life I now realize how much I could have bene ted taking time away just to myself.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life such as children, work, activities, housework, the list can go on and on. So much that the thought of taking time away seems laughable. Here’s the reality, constant motion is sometimes a cover up to keep busy so you don’t have to face internal issues. I lived in survival mode. It was always one thing after another. Not only did I physically stay busy, but I was mentally busy as well to the point of neglecting myself emotionally. I didn’t have time to gure out who I was, or so I thought. I continued that pattern up until all of my children were grown and out of the house. It wasn’t until I went to therapy did I realize I didn’t have to live in the noise. Peace is a gift you should give to yourself.

Don’t wait until you think you’ll have the time, you can create the time right now! Even if it’s ve minutes in the bathroom, me time is so important. The time can be spent conversing with God, meditating, journaling, exercising, or whatever you choose. Spending quality alone time allows you to gain mental clarity. The constant day to day activities, bills, home repairs, or other things can sometimes clog your thinking. That’s why taking a mini break is good for the soul.

Your homework assignment is to t a Personal Retreat day into your schedule each month. This is April, so you have 8 more moths to take at least one hour a month all to yourself. You owe it to you! Trust me when I say you will thank yourself. No longer will I neglect myself and give all of my time away to everything else. I deserve to have peace in my life. You and your family will be the better for it!

Dee Marie Chief Editor President/CEO

Survivors’ Story

Jorre Hadley, Vice President; Jynivah Grant, Secretary; Destanie Watson, President; Ayreana Shephard, Social Media Chair and Public Relations; and Naysa Adams, Treasure

SURVIVING SOULS r

EDUCATE, INFORM, EMOWER, and CREATE COMMUNITY Before I introduce my organization, I would rst like to introduce myself. Surviving Souls started as a survivor story from my own sexual assault experience at MSU (Missouri State University). I found the courage to share my story from a page on Instagram, known as honeyorg, which is an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual trauma through online programs and in-person spaces. Once sharing my story, I received so much support that it fueled me to decide to use my voice to help shed light on these experiences like mine, and to heal for myself and others.

Surviving Souls is a new organization here at MSU that is dedicated to educating people about sexual abuse and the impact of going through that experience. Our main goals within our organization are to educate, inform, empower, and to create a community for survivors. We do this by discussing topics that are hard, but necessary. Some of our previous topics have included, elements of misogyny, trauma, victim blaming, feminism, and support. Breaking the stigma of hiding this topic away by providing a safe, supporting environment through our meetings, is very crucial to us.

We strive to be inclusive and want everyone to have their voice heard. We have weekly meetings, from 7:00-8:30 pm every Tuesday at Missouri State in the Plaster Student Union. We also o er zoom during our meetings! If you want to stay up to date with everything we are doing and discussing, follow us on Instagram @surviving.souls!

Destanie Watson

Andrea Jackson, CIT , contributor Supervised by:Jean Moretto, PhD, LPC

Andrea completed her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling May 2017 from Lindenwood University. Andrea believes that a primary means of change lies in developing a strong therapeutic and collaborative relationship. She utilizes a strengths based approach in working with clients to develop a unique t to their personal needs and draws from several modalities including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy and solution based work.

Andrea has worked with clients of all ages and has dealt extensively with depression, anxiety, sexual abuse and behavioral issues. When requested by the client, Andrea nds that seeking God authentically in session results in healing and can lead to life forming changes.

Andrea is a member and also on the board at Moving4ward Ministries, a 501c3 organization created to provide the community of St. Louis and St. Charles counties of Missouri, a place where adult survivors of sexual abuse ages 18 and older, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, can feel safe sharing experiences that has caused lasting e ects on professional resources so healing can begin. Andrea is Youth Mental Health First Aid Certi ed.Andrea is also a member of the International Honor Society of Counseling Professionals, Chi Sigma Iota.

THE COUNSELOR’S CORNER

HELP WITH OBSESSIONS / COMPULSIONS

Obsessions are persistent, unwanted thoughts. Usually obsessions are xated on a particular topic or goal.

Compulsions are repeated, irrational behaviors that individuals feel they must do. People often perform compulsions to relieve the stress caused by their obsessions.

A mental health professional helps people with these conditions objectively examine their behaviors. They reveal an individual’s negative thought patterns and o er productive alternatives to the compulsions. With help, individuals can break the cycle of their distress.

The obsessive and compulsive conditions treated by mental health professionals include:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – this involves repetitive rituals. Individuals with OCD experience intense anxiety if they do not perform these rituals.

amount of objects. The clutter takes up • Hoarding – this involves collecting a large 11

disproportionate space in the home and a ects one’s quality of living.

Since 2001, NSVRC has coordinated the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign observed every April NSVRC encourages individuals and communities to commemorate SAAM and show support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse by wearing teal — the color of sexual violence prevention — on April 6th and posting a sel e to Twitter or Instagram using #SAAM2021. Wearing teal signals that you support survivors and are a safe person to talk to if they need to reach out The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate communities on how to prevent it and bolster prevention efforts throughout the year.

SPOTLIGHT

Moving4ward Ministries is a 501c3 organization created to provide a safe space where adult survivors of sexual abuse ages 18 and older, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, can feel open sharing experiences that has caused lasting e ects on their lives. It is place that o ers support groups, advocacy, and professional resources so healing can begin. It takes courage to speak up about sexual abuse, and an additional courage to heal. We are to here to be a voice for the voiceless.

BEAUTY

Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep: Drink Your Water and Mind Your Business As a makeup artist I paint the most beautiful faces using various beauty products to create amazing makeup looks. I mean whatever cosmetic look that you could ever imagine can be created with makeup. Scars can be covered to the point where the human eye could not detect. It truly is an amazing asset that allows us to feel beautiful and as if we are ready to take on every challenge that we could face. This is all great, but what about the inner beauty that we all possess? We can buy all of the cosmetics to make sure that our outer self is presentable, but how do we make sure that our inner is as equally beautiful? Here are a few things that I share with my clients: Mental Health. This is one of the most important factors that help to develop inner beauty. You show me someone who practices healthy mental habits, and I’ll show you a person who is strong, confident, and courageous. Although adversities occur, it does not devalue her self worth because they have such a strong mental foundation, that nothing and destroy. The mind is so powerful and important in the makeup of who we are, it is imperative that we exercise daily healthy habits that strengthen our mindset. Whether is listening to podcasts that speak life, reading a self -help novel, attending Bible Study, or participating in a daily accountability call, it all helps to strengthen us in so many ways. In other words, do things that put you in a good “headspace and allow you to think positively. “ Drink Water . I’m sure we’ve all heard this quote, but it’s tried and true. Making a conscious effort to get in an adequate amount of water daily helps in so many ways. When it comes to beauty, it helps to give your skin that glow that we strive for. Hydrated and clear skin is worth as much as a pot of gold if you ask me. Water helps to lessen the amount of blemishes, which in turn lessens the chance of scars and I am here for it! So, how is this? Water helps our body’s filtration system to flush out toxins that cause irritation and breakouts. Water also helps to maintain and increase elasticity and decrease the look or development of wrinkles and so much more. Talk about nature’s remedy! Avoid the Stress. Stress can cause so many unfavorable things to happen to the body. But since this is a beauty column, I’ll speak on that area specifically. Did you know that stress can systemically affect the body and cause acne, aggravate psoriasis, cause hives, eczema flares, fever blisters, and so much more! Now that doesn’t paint a pretty picture does it? All of these conditions can cause lasting scars that can be a pain to get rid of. So, why not just protect your peace and create environments that are conducive to overall happiness and heath? Listen, the overall goal of this article is to stress the importance of “inner health,” which in turn affects outer beauty. Nourish the inside of your body and it reward you bountifully. Protect your peace, create happy environments, and only allow healthy relationships within your space. These things will work together to create a beauty that no amount of makeup ever could. Now, I’m not saying that we don’t need makeup! After all, it is what I do for a living. But it all starts on the inside, and I want all of us to feel beautiful from the inside out. So, go ahead girl, glow on ‘em like never before. After all, it’s your business! Love,

Ken Beautifully Painted Makeup Artistry- www.beautifullypainted.biz Kozmetics by Kendress - www.kozbykendress.com I can be contacted through both of these sites! Social Media- IG kendressh and @kozbykendres FB Kendress Hughes and Beautifully Painted