SPOUSE SILHOUETTES by carissa j. marine

Encouragement to Start Fresh As you begin this New Year, think about starting fresh. What are you currently experiencing, dealing with from your past, or dreading in the future? What will enable you to start this year out with a positive, refreshed attitude? Whether you are dealing with a difficult situation, struggling with a relationship, working through emotions, coping with loss, nervous with anticipation, or in the perfect place right now, take a few minutes to yourself to re-evaluate. What is it that calms and relaxes you? What do you need to do to refresh your spirit? Exercise is my stress relief, but the beach is my sanity. The smell of the salty air, sound of the waves, and feel of the sand… no matter what continent, coast or ocean, the beach has always had the same refreshing effect on me. What is it that refreshes you? What do you need to do, or where do you need to go, to find your sanity and start this year out fresh? Even if it is a loud place, go alone and be quiet. Let your thoughts wander; allow your emotions to be freed. Let go of your schedule, your responsibilities (momentarily), even your New Year’s resolution! If you have a New Year’s resolution that you need to make for health, relationship or other life-altering reasons, make the decision to change your entire lifestyle and not just as a “resolution” that will most likely fade as the weeks go by. Ask your closest friends and confidants to support and check up on you. Petty resolutions will just add unnecessary stress and frustration in your life. Let your spirit be refreshed; find a few moments for yourself. Discover new energy to not only face this upcoming year but to be energized and renewed with a love of life despite any negative circumstances, and make this your greatest year yet!

Born in California, but raised in West Africa by missionary parents, columnist and author
Carissa J. Marine attended an international school in Cote d’Ivoire. Upon graduating from high school, she moved to San Diego, CA, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from PLNU in 2002. She married a United States Marine that same summer. As a military spouse, Carissa has held teaching credentials in several states, moved more times than years married, endured several of her husband’s deployments, and given birth to her children in three separate States. Carissa has a passion for military families, and her favorite aspect of being a military spouse is meeting amazing people from all walks of life. Her most trying experience so far was giving birth to her son during one of her husband’s deployments; she hopes to never have to top it.

Carissa’s first children’s book, The Little Marine and the Flag, was released in November, 2008, and she is excited to see where writing takes her and of course the people she will meet along the way. Carissa is a member of MilSpeak Foundation’s Advisory Council, and serves a children’s literature program specialist and military family program specialist.

Carissa Marine and Sally Drumm will be working together in 2010 to bring Make-A-Book, an after-school creative writing workshop program, and Memo for MilBratz, a lit mag for military children, to military children aboard bases and in hospitals.