• Coping with Cancer
• Coping with Long-term Illness
• Healthy Habits for the Holidays 
• Shaping Up for Spring
• The Gift of Caregiving (seeker-friendly)

Note: There are also topics related to abortion, miscarriage, and emotional issues (including depression) in Closet Issues.

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Coping With Cancer

Related Article: A Ray of Hope http://www.christianwomentoday.com/growth/judyrae.html

Cancer–it is estimated that over 1 million new cases will be diagnosed this year in the United States alone. To hear this diagnosis can cause your entire world to stand still; then all kinds of thoughts and questions can begin to flood your mind as the road you travel takes an unexpected turn. How can we respond to cancer when it hits home? You may have faced some of the challenges of coping with cancer either personally or with someone you love. Please come and share with us today as we explore this challenge together.

• What feelings come forward when you think of the word “cancer”?How do people generally respond when they hear someone has cancer?
• What is the best response when we hear someone we care dearly for has cancer?
• When loved ones are suffering with cancer, what are some ways to demonstrate our love?
• If you are the one suffering, how can you move from despair to delight, is it possible?
• How does facing cancer affect your outlook on life?
• How can we best address the spiritual needs when suffering with cancer?
• Where does one find hope amidst the suffering?

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Coping with Long Term Illness

Related Article: Courage in the Shadows http://www.christianwomentoday.com/growth/claudettegoings.html

Dealing with a long-term illness is a difficult stress to impact a family. Whether that is dealing with an aging parent, a special-needs child, or a disease such as cancer for any member of the family, serious illness brings a set of challenges into the home. You may be the patient or a caregiver. The illness may be life-threatening or it may be a chronic condition that you must deal with each day. Join us as we discuss the reality of living with illness and some of the ways we can face the challenge.

• Coping with illness brings challenges into our lives, what sorts of stresses are faced during these situations?
• How can one balance our own needs with those coping with the challenges of the illness?
• How does one deal with feelings of anger when facing such challenges in life?
• When life doesn’t seem fair, how does one gain a healthy perspective and stay positive?
• Where does one draw strength when coping with draining situations?

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Healthy Habits for the Holidays

Holidays are a joyous time of year. There is so much to do, and many of us find ourselves involved with numerous special activities as the year nears its end. The hurry scurry pace can be invigorating if we have reserves to handle it, but it can also become overwhelming. We try to balance so many demands. Are there steps we can take to prevent burnout during this busy time? Are there healthy habits we could embrace this year? Let’s talk together about practical steps in "Healthy Habits for the Holidays."

• What are some of the extra demands we face on our time and attention as we near a major holiday?
• Are there any ideas you’ve used to help your family maintain physical and emotional health during a busy season?
• Depression seems to rise for some people near a major holiday. How would your recognize and adjust for that?
• Is there a way to keep our meals at least somewhat healthy while not losing out on the festivities?
• What healthy habits do you want to keep (or start) this holiday season? (Are there unhealthy habits that you want to avoid?)
• How do you keep your spiritual walk growing and vibrant during this season?

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Shaping Up for Spring

Related Article: No Pain, No Gain http://www.christianwomentoday.com/health/nopain.html

Exercise: exhilarating or excruciating? Spring is here .and everywhere you look someone is running, biking, roller-blading or doing something that requires energy - and lots of it. Please join us as we discuss some practical techniques as to how you too can leave your laundry and to-do list behind to energize yourself by getting in shape.

• What are some practical ways to add exercise into a busy lifestyle?
• Where does one find balance between work, family and taking care of one’s physical body?
• How can we keep our emotional health in good shape?
• How does one exercise good spiritual health?

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The Gift Of Caregiving (seeker-friendly)

Caring for others is a major part of life for many women. It may range from preparing for and dreaming of the child you now carry…to caring for a spouse who has suddenly fallen ill or has been injured…to caring for aging parents. No matter who you are caring for, the challenges and opportunities abound. How may we as women prepare ourselves to better care for others? Where can we turn when the demands are overwhelming? Let’s explore together "The Gift of Caregiving."

• What are some of the challenges we face as a caregiver?
•  How do you deal with feelings of guilt or resentment as you face the responsibilities as a caregiver?
• How can one remain balanced in meeting the needs of one’s own family as well as care giving a parent or person in need?
• When does one go looking to make informed decisions concerning care giving?
• How can care giving improve our relationships with those whom we are helping?
• How can we get other family members involved in the care giving process?
• Where can we turn ourselves to receive positive help and input?