During this two day hiatus from the Write 31 Days challenge, I’d like to share two books that are valuable resources if your place of belonging has actually changed to a new location on the map. These pages offer wonderful insight during times of transition. Both of these books will help anyone move ahead in a positive, healthy way after they’ve relocated to a new home. I am going to list the chapter titles for each book because I think the titles alone will encourage and inspire you.

After the BOXES are UNPACKED (Moving On After Moving In)

by Susan Miller

Part I Let Go

From Grits to Guacamole — My story
Dealing with all you’e left behind
Remembering back, but looking forward
Pressures that contribute to the overload factor in moving
Recognizing how deeply your move is affecting you
Understanding your emotional baggage
Identifying your feelings and emotions

Part II Start Over

How to make your house a home
Bloom where you are planted — Growing through your move
Things you need to do and things you need to know
Dealing with the loneliness you feel
Finding your lost identity
Strengthening your marriage after a move
Helping your children adjust and adapt
Borrow an egg – Making new friends

Part III Move Ahead

Finding contentment in your circumstances
Charging into your future with enthusiasm
Equipping you to move forward

Epilogue: The One Who Moves with Me — How God put this book in your hands

**THIS Is Where YOU Belong (Finding Home Wherever You Are)**

by Melody Warnick

The Lost Art of Staying Put
Lace Up Your Sneakers
Buy Local
Say Hi to Your Neighbors
Do Something Fun
Commune with Nature
Volunteer
Eat Local Food
Get More Political
Create Something
Stay Loyal
Settle Down

Love Where You Live Principles

Melody Warnick also gives us eleven great tips…

Our towns are what we think they are.
Emotion follows behavior; feelings follow action.
If you want to love your town, act like someone who loves your town would act.
When you’re happy (and healthy), then you’re happy (and healthy) where you live.
If you love your city, you should do what’s good for it. (What’s good for it is usually good for you.)
Relationships with people are what make you feel most at home.
Every town is good at something. Do what your town is good at.
Put pins in the map. Happy memories create place attachment.
When you invest, you feel invested.
There is no right town for everyone, just the right town for you right now.
Experience joy for as long as you’re there.