THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

Alternative dispute resolution for divorces is sweeping the nation.  Bruce Matez, Esquire is a divorce and family law attorney, mediator, and trained collaborative divorce attorney practicing in Southern New Jersey.

If you or anyone you know is considering divorce, or already in the process of divorcing, don’t miss this informative and important workshop. 

When:  Saturday, March 10, 2012

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where: The Starting Point, Inc.

 215 Highland Avenue

Westmont, NJ 08108

Presenter:  Bruce P. Matez, Esq.

(Certified by the NJ Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Attorney)

 Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce are generally  faster, less expensive and more respectful than typical divorce. Come learn more about how to divorce with dignity and respect, and without spending your life savings!

DIVORCE DOES NOT DESTROY FAMILIES;

THE WAY PEOPLE DIVORCE DESTROYS FAMILIES.

THERE IS A BETTER WAY! 

SEE YOU AT THE WORKSHOP!

(No fee required.  Basket will be passed to support The Starting Point.

No sign ups required)

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH – February

THE FOUR SEASONS OF LIFE

By:  Vince DiPasquale

Living on the East Coast we are given the great experience of the four seasons of life.  Winter is a time of the womb; Spring the time of birth; Summer a time of growth; Fall is the golden years of beauty.  Take the time during the special month of February to reflect on the journey of life.  God gives us so many lessons that we can learn from nature.  The early Indians and Pilgrims understood their deep connection to nature.  Even the animals understood God’s plan.  Winter was a time to hibernate, rest, and get ready for birth.  As I look out at the barren beach in the cold morning it’s as though Mother Nature is getting us ready for new birth and a new beginning.

Winter tells us to take time to pull back, reflect, restart and work on our spirit.  We are God’s creatures getting ready for the journey.  Winter reminds me that at the end of each day we go to sleep and retreat back to the womb for rest and a real sense of letting go and trusting in our Creator.  Sleep is a time for our next journey.  Our 12-Step programs tell us in the 10^th Step to do a daily inventory, turn the day over to our Creator and say good night with prayers of gratitude for the day.  Let’s look at winter in a positive way.  We all need time to hibernate in our caves and be open to learn the lessons of each day.   Winter is definitely telling us to Let Go and Let God.

Spring is a time of new birth.  It is nature’s coming out party.  Everything around us seems to come alive and help us to look at the wonderful message of God’s creation.  We are told to wake up and smell the roses.  For the early settlers it was a time to plant and nurture the land for their future food supply.  They were living off the land as God intended us to do.  For those in recovery it’s a time to wake up and begin our day with prayer and meditation.  Try to wake refreshed and with a spirit of gratitude and humility and hopefully to be open to God’s plan for us.  Spring reminds us to spring forward.  We are taught in our 3^rd, 7^th and 11^th Step prayers to be grateful for the gift of life each day and to be open to whatever God’s will is for us.  Try to begin each day with an attitude of gratitude and the spirit of humility and learning.  Each day is the first day of the rest of your life.

Summer is a time of growth, play and celebration.  As a child it was a time to be outdoors, go to the beach and enjoy life.  To the early settlers it was a time to watch the earth begin to blossom and to enjoy the fruits of their labors.  It was a time for picnics with neighbors and to enjoy each other.  In recovery we are reminded to continue to grow and discover the wonderful gifts of life.  To grow in knowledge and learning is our birthright so we face our history and learn to accept the gift of self.  Also it’s a time to remind us to play and celebrate with our friends and family once again.   We all have so much to celebrate.  We have been given so many rewards because we have faced our pain and earned our lessons through the experiences of life.  Enjoy the spirit of summer.  Life is to be lived and to develop the willingness to enjoy the rewards of our work.

Fall with its changes and beautiful colors, reminds us that everything has a beginning and an end.  In nature we experience the harvest and the preparation for winter.  It’s a time to remind us that we are all given so many lessons in life.  Fall reminds us of the

sadness of ending and closure.  It reminds us of the golden years.  They are a chance to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  In recovery we are taught we will receive so many rewards if we are only willing to be open to change and to grow.  We are all God’s children.  We have so many miracles inside of us.  The fall season reminds us to celebrate all life’s gifts, a time to do closure, make settlement and bring things to a conclusion.  It’s a time to remind us to mature and celebrate the mysteries of life.  Let’s take all that we’ve learned and nurture it each day.  Make it a time to enjoy life and its rewards.

The seasons of the year remind us in recovery how the 12 Steps work.  To  summarize:

Winter is the journey from denial to struggle and to surrender. The1^st Step reminds us that we are powerless over so many things and many situations in life.  Don’t be afraid of struggle, it will lead us to growth.

Spring is a time to come alive and to be open to a power greater than ourselves.  We come to believe and learn the value to Let Go and Let God.   It’s a time to experience the miracle of life through all of God’s beauty.

Summer is our journey through Steps 4-9.  It’s a time to do our work, take inventory and learn how to heal and accept our humanness.  It’s also a time of forgiveness for us and others.

Fall is the time to reap the rewards of our work.  We experience in Steps 10-12 the spirit of gratitude and openness to God’s will for us.

Enjoy the seasons of life.  We are a people in progress and growth.  Let’s all be open to life’s changes as we experience the seasons of nature.  May our journey be blessed in all that we strive to accomplish.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

January, 2012

By:  Vince DiPasquale

As we begin a new year, let’s take time to go on a journey from birth to death.  We have been sent by our Creator into this world.  We have all the tools, energy and strength to be able to walk the journey of the world.  We don’t know if we are going to be here for a short or long time.  The world we were sent to is dysfunctional.  We, because of our humanism, are also somewhat dysfunctional.  Our spirit, who we are, is encased in a physical body with all its beauty and imperfections.  Our Creator has also given us free will so that we can make decisions and take responsibility for them.  We have choices and can use our energy in a negative or positive way.   Unfortunately because of our human nature we many times have to do it the hard way.  Growth can only come through struggle.  As my father always said, “You don’t know what it is to get up until you fall down.”  In short, we need to be able to experience both sides of ourselves, the negative and the positive.  Our goal in life is to work towards balance.  As I look at my life’s journey I realize that my Creator sent me into my family systems to learn and grow from my experiences.

Let me take you on my personal journey as I learned many of my patterns from all of my family systems:

1.  My immediate family, my parents, relatives and friends.  Were my parents dysfunctional?  Of course they were and they were my first teachers.  My Father was mister wonderful on whom everyone depended.  He was the cement that holds our family together.  He was the family hero and he taught me to be just like him.  His main defect of character was that he never did anything for himself.  The lesson I need to learn is to make sure I take care of me and still do service to others.  My Mother taught me how to handle fear and guilt.  Sometimes I still feel that I have to battle with these two demons.  I’m learning to “Let Go and Let God.”

2.  My neighborhood, cultural and community family.  Growing up in the forties in the city of Camden, NJ, a culturally divided city where differences were apparent, provided both sides .  The positive side of my Italian neighborhood and culture, was that we had the spirit of real community.  We all knew each other and helped each other.   The negative side was the fear and guilt which kept us isolated.  We lived in a closed environment.  In short, stay with your own.  Today I’m learning the real meaning of diversity and how to be open to all ways of life.  Life then becomes an adventure of learning and growth.

3.  A religious family. Growing up I was taught the God of fear and guilt.  I was given the normal examples of my family.  I’m sure when I was one month old I didn’t jump up and down in my crib saying, “Baptize me Catholic”.  My parents placed me into their belief system which then became my normal.  The God of my understanding today is a God of love and peace.  I’ve learned to take what I can use and leave the rest.  I don’t look for labels, just to open and learn to grow.  Everyone is one of God’s creations so let’s be open to all.  People ask me if I’m still Catholic since I was once a Priest.  My answer is sometimes.  Sometimes I’m Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and non-denominational.  I can learn from them all since we are all brothers and sisters.

4.  My peer family.  As a child my peer family could be tough.  As you know kids are tough on each other.  There are many things we would do just to be accepted.  As adults we have a choice to be followers or individuals.  We can give in to peer pressure and lose ourselves or we can dare to be different and become a truly independent person.  We can learn many lessons from our peers as long as they help us in our personal growth.  There are many lessons we can learn from the experiences of others.  Once again, be open and willing to learn and grow.

5.  Society Family.  As children the world seemed so simple and we got most of our messages from the community around us.  Our contact with the outside world was by radio and newspapers.  Today we are bombarded by thousands of messages, radio, TV, cell phones, newspapers, and computers.  The world is at our finger tips.  Sometimes we are exposed to so much that we have to learn to sort out the negative from what’s good and healthy for us.  We need to have a strong spiritual foundation and try to be open to the lessons we can learn.  Maybe all of this is teaching me to work hard at keeping things simple.

Let’s all learn the simple things of life, i.e., take life one day at a time; be open and willing to change and grow; “Let Go and Let God”.  Remember life is your personal adventure and your spirit is who you are.  Let’s learn how to live, laugh and look at our struggles through positive eyes.  We are not walking the journey of life alone, our Creator is right beside us.  If we ask for His help we will be guided.   In this New Year let’s all be open to God’s will for us and try to carry it out in the spirit of gratitude and learning.  Remember we are never done, we are always in progress.  May God bless all of us in this New Year of our life.

BILL  BECKER  PRESENTS

THE SEMINAR THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE for 2012

LOVE  & WEALTH

• The 10 proven steps to  SUCCESS setting and getting your goals
• How to OVERCOME procrastination
• How to ACHIEVE your personal & financial goals
• INCREASE YOUR NET WORTH NOW

Bill Becker is a self made millionaire. At this exciting series of seminars, he shares his proven methods of success. His simple yet powerful step-by-step system can and will help you meet any challenge.

Bill has shared his successful methods on investment and personal achievement with thousands through his books, radio program and lectures at major universities such as Temple and Drexel and numerous colleges throughout the Delaware Valley.

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE BILL BECKER LIVE AND IMPROVE YOUR LIFE!

ENROLL NOW- SEATING IS LIMITED!

Must RSVP

Monday, January 30^th 6:59 AM to 8:59 PM

Requested donation $10 but not mandatory all goes to charity.

For reservations call 856-854-3134 or email: Bill@mypowerwithin.com

(More details at mypowerwithin.com)

 To be held at:

Starting Point

215 Highland Ave

Westmont NJ, 08108

By:  Vince DiPasquale

Well we have reached the end of another year.  We are given so much to think about during the month and there are so many ways to celebrate life.  We have Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve and Day and within these holidays numerous ways to celebrate.  The world comes alive with lights and family gatherings.  The world turns this special time into a crazy, whirlwind time of shopping, preparing food and for some, a chance to make money.

Let’s pause and take a moment to look inside to see the real meaning of this season.  Let’s meditate on the struggle for personal freedom, the simplicity of a child, and the abundance of God’s gifts.  These are summed up in each of us embracing the spirit of life.  This season is not about external or material things.   This season is about faith, hope and the simplicity of a child.

Mothers understand fully what I am trying to say.  As a child gets ready to leave his/her mother’s womb the pain and struggle of birth is not easy but is followed by the energy of love.  During this season try to understand why fear and love go together.  Many times in life we have to face our fears, work through them, and receive the powerful energy of love.  Our Creator gave us this beautiful energy at the moment of our birth.  Yet we have to walk the journey of life through our fears to tap into the energy of love within us.  Life is such a simple journey.  The Feast of Hanukkah tries to give us this message – go within, listen and know that we are being led.  Our egos and our fears make us think we are in charge.  We’re not.  Let’s learn to stop, listen and learn.

The Feast of Christmas reminds us that there is the simplicity of a child inside all of us.  Little children function on energy.  They are true lovers because they are still connected to their Creator.  The child in us is trying to teach us to live in the moment.  In Alcoholics Anonymous there is a piece of literature that says, “Yesterday, today and tomorrow”.  Yesterday is over and becomes history.  Be open to its lessons by learning and growing from them.  Tomorrow is not yet here so don’t worry, be happy and live just for today.  “A child shall lead us”.  Children don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow.  They live for today!

Kwanzaa reminds us to face our history, embrace it and acknowledge our history in the spirit of love and growth.  Share the abundance of your gifts and love and you will receive them back a hundredfold.  Always remember your history is your greatest teacher.

Finally, we celebrate the New Year.  I would like to invite all of us to take part in a simple tradition as this year ends and a new one begins.  Take the time to reflect and make New Years Eve an occasion to meditate on the spirit of gratitude.  Reflect back on the year and make it a time to do a yearly 4th Step.  Try to look at everything that we experienced, the positives and negatives, as teachable moments.  This should be a day to rethink and reflect.  On New Year’s Day take time to pray the 11^th Step Prayer below.  What a beautiful way to start the New Year by being open to God’s will.  Thank God for the season of joy and love.  Say goodbye to the old year and welcome to the New.

However you choose to celebrate this season, have a happy, blessed and peaceful holiday season.

Relax and be happy.

HELP US KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN TO ALL!

OUR GOAL IS TO GET 1,000 PEOPLE TO GIVE $34.00 EACH TO REACH OUR GOAL OF $34,000.00,

A DOLLAR FOR EACH OF OUR 34 YEARS AIDING THOSE WHO NEED US!

PLEASE HELP US BY CONTRIBUTING AND COLORING IN ONE OF THE 1,000 SQUARES ON THE SIGN AT THE STARTING POINT.

THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS, FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND SUPPORT!

Please fill out this form and mail in the enclosed self-addressed envelope with your gift.

Capital Campaign letter

All donations are tax deductable.

Thank you!

DISCOVERING YOUR

POWER WITHIN

ONCE DISCOVERED, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT…??

HOW DO YOU USE IT…??

Most people will waste this enormous Power…

You won’t, you must not, you will not once you learn how to use it…

Find out how to make yourself successful and enhance your self-esteem.

Discover The Power Within methods that you can utilize every day to help improve your life.

Come and hear Bill Becker, internationally known real estate entrepreneur and personal development speaker.

Thursday evening December 29th 6:59 PM sharp to 8:59 PM not so sharp

At The Starting Point Building 215 Highland Ave Westmont NJ 08108

You can register to attend one of the workshops by calling or going to his website mypowerwithin.com 856 854 3134 or e-mail Bill@mypowerwithin.com

If you miss this opportunity to “Discover The Power Within”, you will also miss the chance to find out how your Power Within thoughts can help you to conquer life’s challenges.

*Donations accepted*

Note; All proceeds go to charities

Bill Becker

215 Highland Ave

Westmont NJ 08108

As we enter the month of November, our thoughts turn to the holiday season. We watch the leaves change colors and feel the brisk fall air. What a beautiful time to observe Mother Nature putting on her finest show. Even nature understands the meaning of gratitude and service. We are always being taught these wonderful gifts, gratitude and service, are the foundation of life.

Gratitude: There are so many things in life to feel good about. As we walk the journey of life hopefully each moment is a teachable one for us. The greatest of all gifts God gives us is the gift of life. Each day is so special. When you awaken in the morning get on your knees and say thank you for the gift of life. Each morning check the obituary column in the paper. If your name isn’t on it you are having the most wonderful day where everything else can be dealt with. We should have gratitude for three daily gifts. First, God gives us the gift of powerlessness. There is so much in life that is not in our control. Let’s learn to let go and let God. Secondly, we are given the gift of struggle. Everything in life that’s worthwhile involves struggle. Remember the slogan, “No pain, no gain”. The fruits of our labor are a gift to earn and pay through hard work. When we work or invest our time in something we will get rewards. The promises of our program, teaches us that life is an adventure that is never done. Thirdly, be open to the journey and the gift of humility. Each experience in life is a teachable moment. Are we open to the lessons? Remember nothing happens by accident. We are all part of the universe’s plan. Let’s pray that we will always have an open mind and know that we are all in the process of life’s adventure. Gratitude is the process by which we slowly discover our gifts and continue each day to celebrate the wonder of life. If we truly live the spirit of gratitude and continue growing, we are then ready for the spirit of service.

The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous teaches us that if we are truly open to the spirit of growth we will carry the spirit to those around us. Service is the gift of sharing ourselves, our spirit, our love, our gifts and our knowledge to all those we touch. If we are truly in touch with our spirit the energy in us will flow out to others. We are not islands, we need each other. We are all teachers and pupils every day. We will only grow when in the spirit of generosity, we share gifts with others. Have faith and trust that we have so many gifts and talents that only come out when we don’t try to control them. We are connected to our Creator. God speaks to the world through us. Just pray and be open to the spirit. We all have so much to give. Just think about the first Thanksgiving and how everyone came together and shared. It was truly a time of peace and celebration. November is the month of gratitude and sharing.

I would like to share with you my vision of life. Each one of us is a book in the process of being written. Each day is a new chapter. Each one of us is part of the world library. Whenever we come together and share our story and listen to the stories of others we become part of each other. The founders of our program had such wisdom when they asked us to come together to share our experiences, strengths and hopes. That is the true spirit of humility, gratitude and service.

Let’s make this holiday season a time of renewal to reawaken all of us to be kind, lovable and gentle to ourselves and to others. May this Thanksgiving be a time of gratitude for the past, today and for whatever will be in the future. May God bless you!

We had another successful fund raiser and want to thank all those who contributed.

Here’s a list of our generous sponsors:

Starting Point Golf Classic Sponsors

VINCE DI PASQUALE’S

 CODEPENDENCY ACOA WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th

 NOON TO 3:00PM

Introduction to the Recovery Process

Healing the Child Within

Donation $15.00

No Preregistration Required