Journey to Grateful

In this episode, we're diving into a topic that evolves with time and experience: "Lessons Taught Through Grief." This idea varies for everyone and is shaped by each person's unique story, past experiences with loss, and where they are in life. I think it's essential for all of us to reflect on this occasionally, as it can be both therapeutic and eye-opening. It helps us understand where we are on our grief journey and how much we appreciate life, death, and our ability to move forward. Sharing these lessons with others can offer valuable guidance for their experience with grief, helping them understand what to expect and how to cope. So, join me as I share my story and the insights I've gathered from friends and family about what grief has taught them.

We've all heard the phrase "New Normal" more times than we can count, especially since the pandemic hit. When the whole country went into lockdown in March 2020, we were suddenly living in a world none of us had ever experienced. As things slowly reopened, "New Normal" became the go-to way to explain changes that had quickly become routine, even though they hadn't always been that way. But in truth, this concept of a "New Normal" has been part of many lives long before the pandemic, particularly for those grieving a loved one. For them, it's not just a trendy term or a casual social media post—it's a tough reality. As someone living through it, I can tell you it's far from easy. We can't just hit pause on it when it's inconvenient. So, if you're struggling with your own "New Normal," let's talk about how we can navigate it together.

In this episode, we’ll explore Ten Common Myths of Grief. While these myths are a helpful reminder no matter how long ago your loss occurred, they’re especially relevant for anyone in the early weeks or months of grief. However, even those who may be years into their loss may find it valuable to reflect on how far they've come and encourage the path they've established in navigating grief. It's important to remember that we’re not as alone as we may feel in this journey, even if the loss was long ago. This episode will highlight myths to be aware of and offer ways to cope with grief or support others in their grief journey.

Sometimes, inspiration unfolds gradually over time, while other times it hits you instantly from the moment it arrives. Today's episode is the latter—it was sparked by, of all things, a Facebook post that popped up on my feed a few weeks ago. The post was a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" message to a lost loved one, written by a friend. The story itself is simple yet precious, but it's the message behind it—the title of this episode—that I really want to share with you today. It's a profound statement we should all consider embracing in our everyday lives, whether or not we're dealing with grief. But I'll admit, it will resonate even more deeply if you are. It's a powerful reminder to appreciate the important details in our lives that we often overlook so easily.

Throughout these episodes, I often mention that you never know where inspiration will come from when navigating grief. In this podcast, I've shown how to take a simple gesture or a joint event and translate it into inspiration or a lesson on grief, life, and, hopefully, living. But sometimes, you must actively seek inspiration, fresh viewpoints, or unique perspectives on how best to deal with grief. That's precisely what I've done for this episode. I've discovered a process I hadn't encountered before, and I believe its simplicity and common sense might be the inspiration you've been looking to add to your grief journey.

Perspective is an interesting part of the puzzle we try to piece together when we first lose a loved one and find ourselves alone at the table with grief. It becomes a living, breathing entity that changes as you navigate your grief. In the first days and weeks, perspective seems almost nonexistent. But as the weeks turn into months, it shifts, becoming a symbol of strength and an unexpected source of calm as you start to see details in your life that you once took for granted. Perspective becomes a friend, reminding you of the value of appreciation and gratitude. Join me as I revisit past episodes that explore perspective and the shift it brings after loss.

Self Care

You might think self-care is just a marketing buzzword that has nothing to do with you or your grief journey. But I'm here to explain that self-care is crucial for navigating grief and important to incorporate into your daily routine, just like exercise or nutrition.

Talking about self-care in the context of grief can be uncomfortable for many. As humans, we often love deeply, and after losing those who brought us so much happiness, we might feel unworthy of being happy again. Yet, we are still here, stumbling through paths where "normal" used to be, aimlessly navigating grief without a road map or destination.

Self-care plays a significant role in guiding us on our path with grief. It offers a healthier way to rebuild ourselves while walking with grief and everything that comes with it.

Understanding grief can only truly come through experience. In today’s episode, I'd like to share Five Grief Lessons I've learned over the past four years. These lessons have helped me better understand and handle grief's unpredictable process. I'll share these five powerful lessons, which I revisit whenever I feel the emptiness of grief creeping in and overpowering my everyday life. When I feel alone in my journey with loss or face new losses—which has recently happened—these lessons help me navigate the new grief alongside the existing one. They are always by my side, reminding me how to approach those moments when I lack the confidence or strength to glide through them easily.

Here are the Five Grief Lessons discussed in today's episode:

Lesson 1 - How to Help Someone Grieving in the Initial Weeks

Lesson 2 - Time Does Not Diminish Grief

Lesson 3 - Grief is Like Glitter

Lesson 4 - Wash the Orange Cup … When the Time is Right

Lesson 5 - Grief is a Coral Reef

Let's talk about memories. Cinnamon Sugar Memories, to be exact. You may not know what that means, but I believe it's safe to say we all have them. The phrase came about through a story I read, reminding me that the simplest things often hold the best memories. Sometimes, many memories are stored within a tiny, insignificant thing, like a blanket, a toy, a childhood location, or even a cinnamon sugar shaker. Join me as I discuss what I’m calling Cinnamon Sugar Memories, why they are so powerful, and how we should all cherish them every day and find ways to create new ones today.

Some episodes are easier than others, and this is one of the more difficult ones, as its creation is rooted in a milestone that has prompted an examination of time. Additionally, it has brought to light an internal struggle I wasn't fully aware of. Facing a different future isn't a sudden revelation I had today; instead, it's a reality I have finally decided to examine earnestly, to face honestly, and to fully understand what it means to me today and beyond. Today, I invite you into my stream of thought as I dissect the passing of time during my grief journey and what it means to face the future alone.