Healing and Hope through Grief

This is my most vulnerable episode yet. I have recorded what I spoke about at the event by Kelly-Anne Appleton, Unspoken (cross out the un!) where myself along with 3 other women all shared our most vulnerable stories and how we continue to navigate our unique journey as trail blazers for those that come after us.

Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life. The purpose of grief is that’s it’s actually the agent of change and when we allow grief in…when we allow it to come through us…that is when we begin to heal. Today marks the 1 year anniversary of starting this podcast. I am honoured and humbled that you took the time to listen. Thank you.

In this last episode of 2021, I talk about some simple strategies to bring some peace and comfort to you during what can be a difficult time of year. Remember~ Gratitude is the secret sauce of life my friends!

It’s a wrap! My 6 super simple, yet crucial Grief Survival Tips are finally published! I hope that they help you even in the slightest way. I decided to talk a little about my take on Grief and again dispel the notion that there could possibly be stages. Your love and your grief are bigger than any stage could ever be! Wishing you so much hope and healing as you navigate through your grief journey. 💛

The tress will not ask ‘how are you really?’ And the wind doesn’t care if you cry. There is something so truly healing about being somewhere that requires nothing from you. In this short and sweet recording I speak about how nature has healed me and helped me see more vividly. I quote David Kessler’s book - Finding Meaning, where he describes Viktor Frankl’s experience riding in a barred prisoner carriage travelling from Auschwitz to a Barvarian concentration camp. The prisoners all marvel at the glorious view as they drive through the mountains of Salzburg with their summits glowing in the sunset. Getting out in nature can truly change the trajectory of your journey…

This seemingly super simple grief tip ~ MOVE ~ is my most reliable. It is the one thing that I know will induce a feeling of calm and mental well-being. In early grief it is so normal to feel completely drained and exhausted, set your goal small - a short stroll and increase what you do day to day. In whatever ways your body can move, movement does help!

I’ve come across a list from my early grief days after my daughter, Sophia, died. It was crucial for me as I was in such deep, all consuming grief. I needed to show up and this list helped pull me through. My tips are not ground breaking, but they are truly what carried me from there to here. They were true then, and are still true today. My hope is that by sharing this little list of my survival tips, I help YOU in some small way. 💛

Yay! After my month hiatus I’m here to catch you guys up with what the heck I’ve been up to. I talk about some of the podcasts that I’ve been listening to, the work I’ve been doing and just this wild and beautiful life we are living! I talk about grief not diminishing with time, but rather us growing around our grief. As always my friends never forget ~ Gratitude is the Secret Sauce of Life!

I finally get to thank Dan! Dan Edwards is a motivational speaker and creator from Sarnia, ON. You can find his podcast, Coffin Over Comfort Zone, on any platform that you listen to. This conversation left me feeling so uplifted and hopeful. I speak candidly with Dan about his life, his journey after his accident and what brought him to speak publicly. Dan has so much to share about living authentically and with gratitude. I cannot say enough good things or why you need to listen to this episode…just do it!

Just a quick explanation of my Summer Series, and how much I’d love for you to come along with me this summer as I have some amazing conversations with some incredible people.

Being vulnerable is not easy...but telling your story and working through your grief story requires vulnerability. As I return from a short break to record this episode I am reminded of how important this work is to me. This podcast allows me to translate my daughter’s legacy into one of HOPE and HEALING. I want everyone to know that I will continue to show up not only for myself, but for you as well. We are not meant to walk this journey alone, please continue to walk alongside me, as I walk with you.

In this episode I offer ideas of how to stay strong in the storm. Everyone is strong in the sun. Strong in the storm is the true measure of you. My main idea is to write out your intentions. Be very specific and detailed. This is an extremely therapeutic and productive way to move towards healing.

Who LIFTS you up? Who helps you on your journey towards healing? In this episode I talk about 3 groups of people who contribute to your grief support, as taught to me by Dr. Allen Wolfelt. This message is all about being LIFTED...I thank Apeman Strong for the card LIFTED, and the words that resonate so true with me, and I’m certain with you as well.

In this Finding Strong episode I introduce you to Apeman Strong, what their motto is and how they’ve helped me. In these short episodes, I will share writing from the president, Adam Field, and my own personal view on the subject. Never forget what you have within you...and please, never forget to PERSEVERE.

You know that story in your head...your narrative, is it helping you? Is it true? We all create a narrative surrounding events, especially in dealing with our grief. We are not the author of the events, but we are authors of the story that gets told about the event. Often our narrative can hinder our healing. In this episode I draw upon the work of David Kessler, and his ideas surrounding reframing our narratives. This has been crucial in my healing. I hope it helps you as well!

In this episode I talk about how I strive everyday to live my best life...has it been easy? Hell no! Please listen with an open mind and heart, I truly hope that some of what I have to say brings you closer to your own hope, healing and happiness.

In this episode I introduce ~ The Mourner’s 6 Reconciliation Needs, as outlined by Dr. Alan Wolfelt. I speak to each of them, and how they’ve helped me on my grief journey. They are as follows: 1. Acknowledging the reality of the death. 2. Embracing the pain of loss. 3. Remembering the person who died. 4. Developing a new self identity. 5. Searching for meaning 6. Receiving ongoing support from others.

In this short and sweet episode I have one simple message - Crying is OK! I share my personal story of how I found myself having all-out-mama-whale cries. Please have a listen, and if you need to...cry it out.

In this episode, I draw upon the knowledge and insight of authors Alan Wolfelt, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and David Kessler. I touch on five myths that need to be dispelled in relation to grief and mourning. As always, my wish for you is Healing and Hope.

This is officially my 1st episode. I felt I needed to share my story. It was very difficult to speak about, but so very important. We all need to tell our story. For me, in the early days after the death of my daughter, Sophia, it helped me to believe that it all really happened. I believe to truly speak to my grief journey, sharing this small snapshot of my life is a good start.