Don's World

Challenge Yourself

2012-01-30T09:20:00.000-08:00

The easiest thing to do in life is nothing, but doing that carries the most harsh consequences.

Life itself is simple, there is nothing at all complex about it. It's the things that can an will present themselves to you that can be a problem....if you allow them to be. In order to be something you must first do something. Life itself should compel you to be proactive as well as reactive. Your reactions, however can and will define you either in a positive or negative way depending on how you react to the situations that arise.

We look at people that have things...that are successful and some of us automatically assume that they've got it made, that they are living it up. We don't normally see what they had to overcome to get there, what fears they may have had to conquer or what losses they may have suffered along the way. Every one of us have to give up something in order to get something. That's just the way it works. It's the circle of prosperity. You receive, then you give, you receive more, you give more....etc. It doesn't matter how big or small the thing is that you give because it will mean the world to the person receiving it. But....

First you have to commit yourself to something other than standing back and looking at what others have. Get up and use what you've been given to pull yourself out of where you are. Once you do, you will feel a great momentum shift...then you will feel a great resistance. This is when people start to give up, because the old ways will try to kick back in and that level of comfort from doing nothing will once again try to take over. This is the time when you have to push yourself. You have to take a glance back to see how far you've come and not want to see that place again. You cannot be satisfied with where you are. You must always forge ahead.

There should be nothing or no one that can talk you out of being who you are and accomplishing the things that you know were meant for you. Do what you do so well that you could do it in your sleep if you had to and never stop learning to be even better than you already are.

There's nothing holding you back but you.

Remember His Dream By Not Neglecting Your Own. Happy MLK Day.

2012-01-16T05:50:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. made it alright to dream. He shared his dream with the entire nation and gave his life in the midst of trying to realize that dream. How many of you have a dream that important to you that you're willing to lay it all on the line to achieve it?

Forget King's dream for a moment. Think about what YOUR dream is. Think about what YOU'D like to accomplish; what you'd like your life to stand for. What are you willing to do to make sure your dream becomes your reality?

What adversities would you willingly face? How far would you go before you gave up, or would you never give up no matter what comes your way?

Let's always remember how important our dreams are. Let's always remember the sacrifices that others have made just so our dreams can exist. A man that has no dreams has nothing in life to look forward to. Look forward to doing, to being, to achieving something in your life no matter how big or small. Accomplishments have no size requirements nor do they have limits. Live your dreams starting today.

Thank you Dr. King.

A Message from Don Savant

2012-01-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

Let the love for what you do inspire you to keep doing it well and as often as possible. This will inspire others to do the same.

Never believe that your goals are unattainable.

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

The sky sits above us...and knowing that He sits on His throne up there in the midst of it gives me hope...it gives me a reason to want to exist...it gives me motivation to want to do better and inspires me to move forward with my dreams...that they be His will through the gifts and talents that He blessed me with. We're told that the sky is the limit...I say with Him, and the right mindset, there are no limits because beyond the sky is where He is seated, therefore, I will think..I will live...I will truly exist beyond the sky... Let's live beyond the sky!!!

Use Your Talents/Gifts

2011-11-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

What are your talents and what are you doing with them? Is there something you can do that you feel no one else can? Are you using those things to work towards your goals and dreams or are you simply wasting them?

Our purpose in life is usually tied into the gifts and/or talents (special skills) that we have. That's why we have them because each of us was placed here to do something specific. there is a need in the world for what you can do. If it's something you love to do and you do it well, then more than likely, that's what you're supposed to be doing.

If you have goals and dreams, write them down...record what you'd like to accomplish and put a plan into action to get it done. Always go back to it and never turn your back on it. Your future is in your hands.

Try Something Different

2011-11-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Surround yourselves with like-minded people. When I say that, I don't mean the ignorant ones. Ignorance takes no talent, it takes no thought, it is mindless in every way possible. Keep people around you that challenge your intelligence, that make you think better, act better and do better. People that have ideas that are similar to yours.

If you are trying to accomplish something and you look around only to see others doing the same exact thing, you cannot assume that you will be more successful at it than they are simply because of who you are. You must learn them, learn their resources, their clientele and try to build yourself based on adding a new or different element to what you're doing so that people will choose you over them. You always have to stay relevant in any field that you're trying to make a name for yourself in. It's all a part of your branding process. Your name should be synonymous with what you do.

Always stay competitive, even if you're the only one in your market. Stay focused, stay positive and never let anyone tell you what you can't do.

Let's go!!!

Do It Now!!!

2011-11-21T06:33:00.000-08:00

Too many times, we take for granted that the things we need to do in our lives can wait until later because "I'm just chillin right now" or "I'll get back to it after I live life a little". The things is, life is very unpredictable, especially in this day and time. Any of us can experience tragedy at any given moment so I encourage you right now to not put off your dreams. If you have something you want to do, goals and dreams to reach for, do it now. Everything else can wait.

Forget about those things that aren't important, stay away from those things that you know are bad for you. Get involved with yourself and get those things done that you know will elevate you to the next level of your existence. Keep yourself surrounded with positive people...positive thoughts and influences. Read and apply things that will assist you in a positive way and if someone asks for your help along the journey, don't hesitate to do so because in life we learn in order to grow for ourselves and to gain the knowledge and wisdom to pass along to others.

Always remember to be charitable. Let's get ready to prosper!!!

Poem

2011-11-19T20:55:00.001-08:00

In My Heart

I would like
to share with you
every
part of me and to
show you exactly
how deep my feelings for you are

but when I
look into your eyes
I don't see
love...
I see
contentment as if
I'm satisfactory to you
in this passing moment and
as soon as you're ready
you'll be
on to the next one

I didn't mean
to feel this way but
there's just...
something about you that
makes me
want to be more than I am...to
do more that I do and to
love harder
that I ever have before

so far I've
only given you a piece...
just a little touch...
of what I call
the outskirts
of my love but
I want to
give my all
I don't want to
hold back anymore
and to be honest...I'm not

I'm moving forward
no fear
no fear
no fear!!!
because I
just feel that
this is right and that
you are mine...
sent to me by God Himself
to love like
no other has ever loved before and
if I'm wrong then
so be it
because I guarantee
you'll never find a true
and complete love
that comes close
to the love that God has placed in me
for you

Written by: Don Savant

©2011

Life Is About Action: So Why Are You Standing Still???

2011-11-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

Every one of us walks on a different path in our lives. That is because we all have a different and specific purpose. That purpose lies in the things that we have the most passion for, or place the most value on; the things that we do and enjoy doing the most. The road we travel in our lives will have speed bumps, there will be obstacles along the way in the form of people and things that will try to hinder us from being where we need to be.

Sometimes we can stand in our own way regarding our growth and prosperity. No matter who you are and what you have going on in your life, the situation can be made positive. It may not be easy but it's very far from impossible. Don't allow yourself to be overcome by negative things and people. Claim the things you desire as if you already have them, as if your goals have already been reached and you're moving on to the next set. Once you start living your dreams, never be satisfied with where you are because we can always do better, reach higher, stand taller and dream bigger.

Let's do this my people.

Sticks and Stones

2011-11-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

No matter what you've been told, or how many times you've heard the old "sticks and stones" saying, there has never been anything further from the truth.

Words are powerful. With the words we speak, so many things, so may lives can be altered. A lot of shifts in attitudes are the direct result of something someone said. Word can be hurtful, spiteful, demeaning, controlling and lot of other things. On the other hand, they can also be uplifting, motivating and can literally make the difference between life and death.

Always be careful which words you choose to speak because they can not only be harmful to the person or persons they are directed towards; they can also be harmful to you.

Be a blessing by speaking blessings.

Love y'all,

Don Savant

A Word From Don Savant

2011-11-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

Struggles are designed to strengthen you. They are designed to teach you something in order to increase your knowledge and awareness in the event that the same or a similar situation arises again. We acquire the necessary tools to move forward through those struggles. It is in no way an indication that we are to give up on our dreams. Push harder with every hurdle that's placed in front of you. Never take no for an answer when it comes to your goals.

If you have a love and a passion for it then by all means do it. There is a quote by an unknown author that says "If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you'll get the best. Begin to live as you wish to live." Speak that, live that...let it give you the power to move forward.

Let can't and won't become lost from your vocabulary and from your mindset.

Let's get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do I Need Permission????

2011-11-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

Do I need permission
to do what i do
to
be who I am
and to live MY life
the way I was intended???

This world has got me
twisted
thinking I'm supposed to
follow the crowd and
conform to
whatever is the "norm"
at any given moment or
what ever passing craze is "in"
at any particular moment

NO!!!

I don't hear you world...
you call but
I refuse to answer
simply because
I don't speak your language

HEAR THIS!!!

God
created me
to
do a specific work on this earth and
it's HIS will
that I cater to
it's HIM
that I follow
because I know that
HE
will never lead me astray

With HIM by my side
I am
learning and
growing and
leading others by example
in order that they
are blessed
just as much as I am
paying forward
all that HE has shown me
so that the cycle continues
and HIS people
are blessed in abundance
on HIS land
carrying out HIS will
forsaking the world
for the love
of HE that created me

Therefore
I do NOT
need your permission
to do that which
I was born to do

Motivation Monday!!! Part 2

2011-10-24T09:39:00.001-07:00

When we fall, we have a choice of whether to lay there and feel sorry for ourselves, going over all of our mistakes and blaming ourselves for them or, you can choose to learn from the mistake that were made, and sit back up to create an better and stronger strategy. once you've done that, it's time to stand up again and continue on that journey because you know that's where you're supposed to be. It was never said that the road wouldn't have bumps along the way so we must take them in stride and use them as tools to help us move forward. I'm ready...are you?

Let's go!!! #MotivationMonday

Motivation Monday!!!

2011-10-24T09:22:00.001-07:00

No dream is unattainable with the right amount of work put into it. It's very highly unlikely that things are just going to fall in your lap..not impossible but unlikely so in order to be that which you aspire to be, you have to put in the necessary work required to get there. Stay on top of your game and if you fall short, don't get discouraged. Get back up and try even harder.

Our dreams are usually attached to something we're good at or something we have a passion for it and the pursuit of that dream is the fun part. It may be challenging at times but again, keep moving forward.

If you feel it's worth having, go for it!!! Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do, not even yourself.

Let's go!!! #MotivationMonday

Random Ramblings...

2011-10-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Believe me when I say that life is better lived without a chip on your shoulder. Better things are received when you use love as a tool for growth and stability. We emit emotions from us like radiation and what we send out, we get back in return so try sending out love signals more often. I guarantee you'll see a difference in your life.

Love is the key.

-Don Savant

Two Point Seven Million Thoughts

2011-10-17T19:43:00.001-07:00

She makes me smile. The first time I saw her whatever I was saying before that moment was lost in translation. It was as if the entire earth slowed down as she walked past. I smiled...I smiled...and it took a while to gather myself. My GOD she's amazing. I attempted to continue my conversation but it was too late. That thought and all others were gone. This all happened at work so I wasn't sure if I'd ever see her again so I wondered to myself if I should go find her and introduce myself or if I should take the chance of our paths crossing once more. Just then I vaguely remembered seeing some sort of identification badge, which means absolutely nothing simply because people pass through wearing them all the time but no...I refused to believe that she was just passing through.

After my shift was over I casually walked around the building searching for something in particular and there she was. She was surrounded by patrons and co-workers but...she was there; a representative from another company promoting her products in our establishment. My entire body stiffened initially then released as a feeling I hadn't felt in years make its way through me from top to bottom. I smiled. As incredible as that moment already was, out of the corner of my eye, through the crowd of people surrounding her, I saw her smile back.

Two point seven million thoughts raced through my head on my ride home and thereafter. Who is she? How can I find out? Am I too old to feel this way about someone I don't know at all? Breathe in...and out...that's what I tried to do only, it happened in short spastic bursts.

I'd made up my mind that not only was I going to but I absolutely HAD to talk to her. As my luck would have it, every time I saw her, I was busy with a client yet I would always know exactly when to look up from my task to see her pass by. That smile. My God that smile. After a few days I saw her no longer and I started to give up hope and chalk it up as yet another missed opportunity. There was only one occasion where I almost caught her but...I was called away. With my heart in my hands and the closing theme from the incredible hulk series playing over and over in my head I decided to officially close the chapter that was still unnamed but as beautiful as a summer blue sky with billowing snow white clouds placed perfectly in the midst of the great expanse.

Hope is a wonderful thing, yes indeed because I never truly gave up. There was a part of me that refused to accept that she was gone and would never return to me. There was still a feeling of anticipation...and today, there she was. Just as I was leaving for the day, our eyes met and we smiled. As she was speaking to someone else those two point seven million thoughts raced through my head once more and I knew I had to do something quickly. I injected my own brand of commentary into their conversation. Not in a rude manner but just playfully enough to get her attention. Then I walked away. I could feel her. I knew she was there...right on my heels so I slowed up my pace just enough that were began to walk shoulder to shoulder and it happened.

She began speaking with me. It was as if we'd been friends forever and were "catching up". Our conversation flowed so naturally that any bystander would mistake us for long time friends. My mind took over once more...

"It's just a coincidence. We just happen to be going the same way."

"I know you're not getting off already" was the next thing that came out of her mouth.

I explained to her how long my shift was and she nodded in agreement that it was definitely time to go home. She then managed to let me know what her work hours were. I smiled as our conversation continued. She then made a comment about following me to which I replied, "I love being followed by beautiful people."

She paused...smiled...thanked me and placed her hand on my arm very tenderly then walked her fingertips down towards my elbow.

"My name is Mikayla."

I nearly melted as once again those two point seven million thought traipsed through my imagination again. We stood by the break room door and engaged one another for another minute or two and the man in me wanted more, he wanted to take the plunge but the gentleman in me said wait, you know who she is, and where she is so now you can take your time and do this correctly.

Before parting she asked if she'd see me tomorrow, and my answer was yes. The smile across her lips was enough to let me know that this could possibly be the beginning of something. It also blinded me to the fact that I had an audience of male co-workers observing what had transpired. I was greeted with a thumbs up and several looks of amazement that said "you are that dude", and to be honest, I feel like that dude.

Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.

Motivation

2011-10-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

What God has for me is for me, and there is no one or nothing on this Earth that can keep me from it but me. Now, I've personalized this because it that's what it is, personal. The things that happen between you and God are just that. He brings you through things to give you a testimony. You may then use that testimony to inspire others that may be going through something similar. Your testimony also gives you an appreciation for the things that you've been through that are now a part of your past.

To me that's the ultimate motivation. It's always been said that trouble doesn't last forever. In order to see for yourself that this is true, you have got to give whatever it is you're going through to God so that He can work it out for you. Trying to face your troubles on your own does nothing but prolong them. Always remember that as you're on your journey through your life, on your personal walk with Him. He will always lead you the right way. Trust that if you trust nothing else.

Much Love,

Don Savant

Frustrations: Letting Go

2011-09-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

I believe with all my heart in Luke 6:31 - Do to others as you would have them do to you. I find it difficult to uphold this within my current situation because I'm having to deal with someone who is blatantly disrespectful on every level, is extremely contradictory and is demeaning to everyone that he encounters. In the case of this particular situation, I try to live by Matthew 5:39 - But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Anger and revenge are two of the easiest ways to deal with undesirable situations but...I've learned that life is not about what is easy. Anything worth having is most definitely worth working for. I believe this with all my heart. It is because of this that I try to remain positive through everything that comes my way. It is the only way to truly grow and prosper.

I'm not saying that everything you do will be difficult or is designed to be that way but, usually if things do start to become that way, it's one of life's many endurance exercises designed to teach you how to overcome and continue to move forward.

Stay prayed up, call on God during your good and bad times, and always let Him deal with your struggles. Do these things and all will be well. I love y'all. Be blessed and prosperous.

-Don Savant

Bully (A Poem Written by Don Savant)

2011-08-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Bully

When you're growing up
You experience life...
And you learn that
Everyone that calls you friend
Really isn't and
Everyone that swears you're an enemy
Never gave themselves a chance to know you

There's always been that
Entity...
That
Metaphorical beast in your life from
Your first days on the playground
Until you've grown and gone corporate

Kids are
Pushed down in the sand box and
Kicked at the playground

Teenagers are
Pressured into sex and
Drugs and
Different types of sex and
More types of drugs

Adults are
Ridiculed and
Talked down upon and
Treated as inferior
By those who are a few rungs higher
On that corporate ladder but

No matter
Who you are or
What your age may be
A Bully
Is a Bully and
Speaking directly for self I
Plan to stand on my own from this day forth
and claim my independence
From the world...
The biggest bully of all

Stand up and be who you are regardless of who talks about you or what someone may try to do to or against you. Stay strong in your faith and continue your forward progression no matter what.

-Don Savant

Short Prayer

2011-08-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Father, you are my everything. You are my source of strength, inspiration and motivation. Without you, I can do nothing but with you, there's nothing I can't do. I love you because of who you are...

-Don Savant

Affirmation

2011-08-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

God really works things out in our lives. His will is such an immaculate thing. A few weeks back, my sister informed me of a seminar that would be coming close to my hometown. In that seminar they had several people scheduled to speak and serve as motivators for those in attendance. It was a Get Motivated seminar. Bill Cosby was in that list of speakers. I have wanted to see him speak live for years and I thought my opportunity to do so had slipped away due to my mind slipping and forgetting about it.

That's when God stepped in and did His thing. Just as only He would have it, my cousin mentioned that she had tickets to this seminar and asked if I'd like to go. The only dilemma I had was that it's on a Wednesday. I let her know that I'd check my schedule and get back with her.

I told you God is good right?

I checked my schedule and was off on the day of the event. I VERY VERY RARELY have Wednesdays off. It was absolutely nothing but God. Nothing but God!!!

Not only did I get to hear and see Mr. Cosby speak, but I was also blessed to see and hear a host of other wonderful motivational speakers. Now I've had some people say to me that they are self motivated and don't need anyone to tell them how and why to be motivated. To that I say this. It's not so much that I needed or was seeking motivation. As I said before, one of My dreams was to see Cosby speak live...dream accomplished. It was also a mission of affirmation to make for certain that the motivational tools that I'd been using on my own matched the ones that they were willing to share as well as to possibly gain new tools to move forward with.

It was very well worth it. All of the speakers there were very insightful and brutally honest about how people are when it comes to getting things done in their lives.

You cannot sit around waiting for people to do things for you. You cannot allow people and situations to deter you from your dreams and goals. You have the power in you to get things done for yourself.

A lot of times we sit around and wait on God to provide us with things when we're quite capable of going out and getting them for ourselves because He has already given us the tools to do so. Often times it is He that is waiting on us to get things started so that He knows when to step in with the necessary assistance along that path. It's just like it has always been said, He helps those that help themselves. You have to be willing to step out on faith and start the work required to achieve and accomplish the things in life that you dream about.

Too often we stand in the way of our own future because we're not willing to trust Him or ourselves enough to do the work that's required of us to make things happen. As Mr. Cosby said, "Only YOU know what YOU WANT to be and only YOU know what YOU want to do so GET UP AND DO IT!!!" Don't blame God for things not going as you plan because if you're willing to believe in Him, He will help you plan as you go. The words that I heard today spoke volumes to me because I've started and stopped so many times. I've gotten disappointed at my progress but I now realize that no matter what I must keep going. I cannot take the risk of losing sight of my dreams.

I've been guilty of a lot of things that will stop your dreams in their tracks. One is procrastination which is the sworn enemy of progress. I have accomplished things, but after those accomplishments, I have a tendency of slacking off...I get into a comfort zone so to speak; but what I should do instead is celebrate that success while I forge ahead towards something else. Constant continuity is the key, and also an absolute love for what I do. Time is a God granted gift and as another speaker stated, "where you spend your time is where your heart is". That same speaker also said that "your words are the footsteps to your prophecy".

That is something I've known for quite some time. Our words are incredibly powerful. They can and very often do dictate the outcome of our lives. I've said so many times before that thoughts plus words equals life, or that life is the sum of your thoughts and the things you speak into existence. If you're always pessimistic (which some of us constantly confuse with being realistic), you will call into your life exactly what you think the outcome of any and every situation you speak poorly of will be. Speak of the things you CAN do, the things you WANT to and WILL do instead of the things that you cannot or won't do. You will receive exactly what you call into your life.

Anything you want to be, you can be. Anything you want to do, you can do, but you have to believe it can be done and have faith that it will be done. Most importantly, write it down, prioritize your thoughts and put a plan into action. I will meet you at the finish line. Ready, Set, Go!!!!

-Don Savant

Random

2011-07-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

It's not who you know that contributes to your success, it's the choices you make.

-Don Savant

Excuses Excuses

2011-07-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

I'm blessed. There's no doubt about that. I'm so very grateful for what I have, for the things that I can do and for having the ability to share things with people that can possibly help them in their journey through life.

I often ask myself though, why am I not satisfied? Why do I feel so ungrateful at times? Sometimes I'm in a place where I feel as if I can do more and be more than what I am. I ask why I haven't accomplished more than I have. Again, I'm grateful, but my mind stays busy wondering how I can achieve more and I sometimes get stuck in a hamster wheel so to speak trying to figure things out.

Life has absolutely no limits whatsoever. We have been blessed with a power so great within us that we don't even realize. What we speak becomes our truth. I'm guilty of second-guessing myself, of doubting my talents which is a blatant slap in the face to my gifts. The one thing about gifts is that they can be taken away if they aren't used properly.

After all the thinking and the doubting and the wondering I now realize that it's me. It's not the people around me, it's not my family or friends, it's me. I am holding myself back from where i need to be.

All this time I've focused on the things I want to do, the things that I need to accomplish and have in my life but when it comes down to it, it's all about God. God has a very specific plan for our lives. He places us in situations and around people to teach us something. When we learn the things we are supposed to learn then He moves us. He moves us to our rightful spot in this world. If we listen and pay attention to the things that He is showing and telling us we will see that He offers us a road map to our lives.

I now know that procrastination is my enemy and that my trials are the tests that fuel my testimony. Everything I've learned must now be applied and once that application has taken place I will begin to move forward. God is always present in our lives and He moves us by faith so if you don't believe in yourself, it's as if you're saying that you have no faith in Him because He made you to be something specific, to do something specific on this earth.

It's time that I tuck away my inhibitions, release myself from the bondage of shyness and stop letting fear run my life. God is here with me...He always has been and now is the time for me to truly recognize and follow Him to the place that He needs me to be.

Father I'm listening now...I have no more excuses.

-Don Savant

Just a Thought

2011-07-17T22:35:00.001-07:00

Sometimes those that encourage are in need of the most encouragement.

The Toll of SC's Domestic Violence Grows

2011-07-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Anyone that really knows me, knows exactly how I feel about domestic violence. It is such a huge problem in our communities. It is very hurtful to the people involved as well as any children that may be witnesses to those acts. Let's build more loving households for our children to grow up in. They learn from the things they experience, so let's teach them how to love!!!

This is a blog post by NewsChannel 7's Tom Crabtree and he was nice enough to let me share it with all of you. Thank Tom!!!

The Toll of SC's Domestic Violence Grows

by Tom Crabtree

SPARTANBURG, S.C. --

The news business gives me a front seat to what's happening in the world, especially the Carolinas.

Last night I saw the horrific toll of domestic violence, one of South Carolina's biggest blights.

In Union County, a man goes to the convenience store where his girlfriend works and shoots her. Somehow, despite being wounded four times, the woman survives. The man steps outside the store, refuses to drop his gun, and a SWAT officer fatally wounds him.

A short time later, two lives are lost in Laurens County. Authorities say a man shoots and kills the mother of his three children as she sits in a car at the plant where she worked. The man is accused of then shooting and killing a deputy. The suspect is now hospitalized after being wounded by officers.

Three lives lost.

The root cause: domestic violence.

The web site of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office says, each year, more than 36,000 victims report a domestic violence incident to a SC law enforcement agency.

According to the SCAG, the state averages 33 women killed per year by their intimate partner.

The SCAG describes domestic violence in South Carolina as a "crisis."

The Palmetto State ranks ninth in the number of women killed by men.

The problem's causes are many. Experts cite past violence or aggression, being a victim of violence as a child, drug or alcohol use, a stressful life event such as being unemployed.

Of immediate concern is the safety of victims and potential victims.

If you are caught up in an actual or developing domestic violence situation, please don't let it continue even one more day. There are steps you can take.

First, l recommend the following link for the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network:

http://www.scvan.org/domestic_violence_qa.html#a. This site answers many questions of vital concern to domestic violence victims, including how to put together a plan to get away from your dangerous situation.

Http://www.scag.gov/criminal-domestic-violence-in-south-carolina has information about the programs of the S.C. Attorney General to fight domestic violence.

And keep this number: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233). It's the number of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

9-1-1 is at your disposal too.

If you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it.

Use these resources to protect yourself and loved ones.

Here is the link to his blog post.

http://www2.wspa.com/blogs/tom-crabtree/2011/jul/14/toll-scs-domestic-violence-grows-ar-2113101/

Ladies and gentlemen, please utilize these resources. Let's take a stand against domestic violence right now. Let it be known that you're not going to take it anymore and take the proper actions to receive the help you need to remove yourself for that situation and get the other party the rehabilitative help they need to make them better. We are losing far too many people to this disease. Love is so necessary!!!

-Don Savant