Testimonials
I heard about Life Skills seven years ago; my best friend at the time was taking Phase1 with her mother and recommended that I take the class as well. I was 21 at the time and did not fully comprehend what she was learning and that her recommendation came from a place of love and understanding. She saw in me what I couldn’t, a lost young woman who needed help. Fast-forward seven years and I was at an all time low. I was 27 years old, had a series of failed relationships, working in a job that was unfulfilling, and dealing with family issues that were eating me up inside. I was lost, depressed, felt alone, and didn’t know how to handle any of it. I realized that I was in an un-healthy pattern of denial, bad decisions, low self-esteem, and a reactionary lifestyle that was affecting me in a negative way. I knew then that if I didn’t get help I wouldn’t make it. By the grace of God I remembered what my best friend had told me so many years before, “you should take Life Skills”. I immediately went on-line and started to research. I found the Life Skills website and called immediately and what luck, a Phase1 class was starting the very next day. I did not hesitate and started the class on January 6, 2009. I will never forget that day… that is the day my eyes were opened.
Life Skills has taught me so many valuable lessons. It has equipped me with tools that I apply daily. It has opened my eyes to the most basic yet unknown realities of life that I was never taught. It has shown me how to deal with everyday situations in a healthy, calm, realistic manner. It is helping me build my foundation of strength, trust, love, self-reflection, and accountability. Simply, it has and still is shaping me into the woman I want and am going to be. It has opened my heart and mind to the endless possibilities of what life can be like when you are in a healthy state of mind. I would recommend Life Skills to everyone because it is meant for everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are or at what stage in life you are at. Self-reflection and growth is not limited to the young it does not discriminate. Learning who you are and why you are that way is the most liberating feeling in the world. Learning to accept and love yourself for who God intended you to be is the greatest gift you will ever be given.
My journey is only beginning and I recognize that it might not be the easiest and that I will encounter bumps in the road, but I am confident in who I am and the knowledge and tools that I have been given to face life head on with grace, dignity and respect.
-Teresa, Age 28
I recommend the Life Skill classes to anyone who is experiencing internal struggles with self and others. Finding out about those hidden issues that stunted my emotional growth and getting the "tools" to deal with them was lifesaving.
Only accepting Christ as my personal Lord and Savior surpasses the "freedom" I received from my "Life Skills" journey.
Elizabeth Jones
When I first heard about Life Skills I thought great, I'll be able to show all the other guys in the class how much I know and how smart I am. I was at the time given the order to join by my wife who said it was a prerequisite for us getting back together as we were crashing on the rocks in our relationship and she had had enough. Just about every area of my life was messed up including my physical wellness. I have had two neck surgeries and still live in chronic pain today.
Life Skills offered something to me that at fifty years of age and 20 years of working with the Border Patrol I had never experienced before. I know now that the material that I at first begrudgingly accepted is now responsible for drastically improving my life on a daily basis. I could not defeat an enemy that I could not see. Having a clear target as to what the real problem was has made all the difference for me and my family.
Don Ransom
I was having difficulties with intimacy and communication in my marriage and with my children. Life Skill’s of San Diego provided a safe environment, in a powerful group setting; where I was able overcome the fear, frustration and despair of negative behavioral traits that I had struggled with my entire life. Finally there is a process through which I can mature past them. I am experiencing a deeper level of intimacy and communication, never experienced before. I am looking to the future with hope and not despair, a life full of satisfying relationships and meaningful service to God.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”
Douglas W. Root
I went to a Life Skills interview because a friend referred me, but I knew I was too busy to make the commitment. After speaking to the facilitator, I didn't think the course would improve my life in any significant way. Sure, I'd learn a helpful tip or two but I didn't expect it would be worth my time and money. That said, I signed up for the program and the first couple of classes were, in my mind pretty pitiful. Some classmates were crying and finding it hard to express themselves, others said nothing, and I judged. I asked myself, what am I doing here? My ego was big and my time was short but I knew I needed help.
The curriculum is designed to slowly teach you how to manage life. It gives you lots of tools for your toolbox. Everyone can benefit from this course if they set their ego aside and humble themselves enough to say, I will not judge, I will listen and learn because I need it. The people I judged in the beginning of the course have become my sisters. I love each one of them and although I don't see them often, I know they are with me each and every day, no matter what. They are strong, wise, healthy and fun and I learned a lot from them. To this day, I use the tools from Life Skills and my anger and frustration have turned into patience and understanding.
Life isn't easy, but a positive attitude and lots of tools make a huge difference. To all my dear Life Skills sisters, I thank God I met you and that we went the distance together.
JBM
One year ago on 1/27/09 my life began to change. Let me explain….
I was in physical, emotional, financial and spiritual turmoil. I felt there was little if any reason to live and I was on a path to self destruction. I started a Life Skills class in “Crisis Mode” not knowing which way to turn. I had heard from close family involved with this “Program” that it gives healing and changes your life. Well, healing I needed and change in my life was inevitable if it were to continue. Regardless of cost or location, I was going to get help!!
When I started this class I was very skeptical. After all, I didn’t trust anyone; I never had and never would. A foundation started to be built and I never had one of these before. I began to realize that I had lived 45 years and while growing older, I never matured. Sure, I got bigger, taller, married, raised a son and ran a successful construction company. But my character never matured. I couldn’t handle conflict like an adult. I acted like a child most of the time.
Changes started happening. I didn’t see them, but my family and friends started asking me “What has happened to you?” My relationship with my son started to flourish. We could talk and communicate without resentment and judgments. I was listening to people and caring about what they said. I started to understand that everyone else in this world was not the problem. IT WAS ME!! (Go figure?) My reactions turned into responses. I began to understand WHY I was the way I was. I understood I had the choice to change. I found out that I could let go, and love.
After learning that I was severely damaged and I’ve been listening to and believing lies throughout my life, I decided to listen to the truth. After all “The truth will set you free”. Well, the truth truly did set me free. I was able to understand that I am a valuable person. I can be the person I want to be. I can be whole in mind, body and spirit. I now have hope and joy and abundant life that I never thought I could have, and for this I will be eternally grateful.
As I progressed through the class I was anxious to “Just get better”. It was 26 weeks of learning and living the material I was studying. I found out that it takes time to live my life and learn. If I had all the answers at once I wouldn’t be able to learn them. So, I learned patience and understanding. I went to class each week and implemented the skills I was learning. The progress was astounding. I developed the ability to handle conflict, anger, control and many other emotions.
Now I am ½ way through my second class. I know I don’t (and probably never will) have it all figured out. What I do have is the skills and ability to handle “Life” situations that come up in all of our lives. As we live our lives conflict will arise. Working through it with a mature character will allow me to make intelligent decisions based on accurate information.
I am training to become a facilitator (i.e. Instructor) for the Life Skills program. This Bible based program that is over 25 years old has helped thousands of people understand how to use the skills it takes to handle everyday life. I would like to be one of the many who sow seeds that produce 10, 20, 50 even a thousand times the healing I have received.
Jeff Brown
