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From bankrupt to entrepreneur: How my financial life was lifted “I was in more than £20,000 debt. I needed to pay back credit cards and loans, but instead I spent almost a year pretending my debts didn’t exist. I was inundated with letters and felt pressured by creditors. It was putting me down because it seemed too much to handle alone. I accepted an invitation to the UCKG HelpCentre where I later found the courage to face my fears and tackle my problem. It all began in my mind as I rejected the idea of living in debt. I received confidence to get advice from solicitors and to stop burying my head in the sand. I made a debt plan and I faced the courts. It was a challenge and I was given the option to declare myself bankrupt to start afresh. I took up the option, although it wasn’t easy because my career in the financial world came to an end and I was not permitted to return. It was even harder as I was hoping to work in finance again. The support I got at the UCKG HelpCentre lifted me up and encouraged me to stay positive. I decided to study something else. It’s been nine years since I started over, and today I am working in a field that I love and I also run my own business. The progress in my life has been amazing. The UCKG HelpCentre helped me lift my life to the next level.” Yolanda Napoli How to cope with your financial worries No matter what we may say or think, we all can agree that money plays an important role in our day to day life. It is a tool we use to take care of our basic needs, like food, shelter and clothing. So, it is not surprising that a lack of money causes financial worries and depression. Its mismanagement can easily leave a person feeling down and out. Sources: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20541338,00.html#accept-your-situation-for-now-0 • http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/coping-with-financial-worries.aspx What causes financial worries? Different events and scenarios can put a strain on your mind. You may find yourself repeatedly thinking about your money problems to the point where you become anxious. A lack of finances can have negative consequences on your life and allowing this worry to get the better of you can leave you stuck in a cycle. For example, when a person loses their job, their bills cannot be put on hold until they find a new source of income. Every month, their rent or direct debits will still need to be paid. This is the same with debts: the longer they are left unresolved, the greater the likelihood of them increasing and of the person going to court. Change your attitude There are two phases to beating your financial problems: the first is to lift yourself up, and the second is prevention. In this sense, the battle is action based. Whatever the state of your financial situation, understand that it is only temporary, if you are willing to take the necessary steps to instigate change! In an article on Health.com, psychologist Stephen Josephson explains the importance of not overthinking the negatives. ‘‘We can’t necessarily get rid of pain, including the pain of losing a job or having to move’’, Josephson says, ‘‘but we can get rid of suffering, and suffering is failing to accept what is’’. This is what we are proposing at the Lifted Event: To Stop Suffering. Good Friday marks the end of suffering and this event can be the start of a brand new life for you too. Come and join us on Friday 30th March 2018. Your chance to rise GOOD FRIDAY|3PM also at 7am, 10am and 7.30pm | u c k g . o rg 4