If you haven't read the book The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz, I highly suggest it! We just finished reading it in the Widow Squad book club. I love its simplicity and reminders to us about what's important in life! 

And agreement number 3, Don't Make Assumptions really struck a chord with me. As widows, we assume things about ourselves and about the people around us, resulting in needless suffering!

I hope you found some insights in this episode. Please share it with a friend who needs to hear this message too. Please rate and review the podcast!

Get in on the WidowSquad online community and join our next book club starting soon: https://www.widow180.com/membership

Email me if you would like to share your "widow success story" on the podcast! [email protected]

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

This week we continue our conversation with Michelle Scharf as she shares her journey through grief after losing her husband John to cancer. 

Here's what we chat about:

~ How within a span of 6 months she lost her husband, became an empty-nester, and turned 50!

~ How she turned to alcohol to stop the pain of grief until a friend intervened.

~How she started her passion project, Relentlessly Resilient podcast with her friend and fellow widow, Jennie.

~The key things that have helped her along the way including: keeping a gratitude journal, yoga, meditation, and prayer.

Find her on IG @relentlesslyresilientpodcast

Find her podcast at www.ksl.com

Join us in the WidowSquad community for friendship and amazing resources at https://widowsquad.com

Got questions OR a story you want to share? Email me at [email protected]

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and donate as little as $3 per month to keep the podcast going! Thank you!

 

 

 

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Michelle Scharf joins us this week on the podcast to share her raw and honest account of losing her husband to cancer. This is Part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Michelle.

On today's episode we talk about:

~ The sweet story of how she met her husband!

~ How she found out he was diagnosed with cancer

~ Her experience and struggle as a caregiver.

~ How her co-workers stepped up to support her.

Be sure to listen next week to the conclusion of the interview with Michelle. 

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Wanna be a part of an amazing online community? We would LOVE to have you! Join the WidowSquad here: https://www.widow180.com/membership

Want to share YOUR "widow success" story on the podcast? email me:  [email protected]

Did someone say FREEBIE? Get the Kick Loneliness To The Curb VIDEO presentation today. Go to https://www.widow180.com/lonely

 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships were built for." This is one of may favorite quotes to get me motivated! It's by Paulo Coehlo, author of the bestselling book, The Alchemist. 

This quote has many meanings, but to me it exemplifies how we try to stay safe, tucked away in our own little world, staying out of harms way. The loss of our spouse has left us feeling insecure and vulnerable. 

The thing is, it's okay to stay in port for a while, to regroup, to recoup. But we're not meant to stay there forever. 

If this episode has gotten you thinking about making some changes, be sure to join the Finding Purpose and Meaning After Loss Program for widows! We're starting this 4 week program THIS MONDAY, January 23, 2023 at 7:30pm EST! Grab you seat today! https://www.widow180.com/purpose

Also, if you have any other quotes you would like to share, let's hear it! email me at [email protected]

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Donna Kendrick will never forget the "Omgosh, what just happened?!" moment when she discovered her husband Greg had passed away suddenly in 2013. Donna found herself navigating the confusing world of finances post-loss, and then also felt a calling when she realized that she wanted to change careers to become a certified financial planner for others whose lives are in transition. 

We chat about: 

~ Donna deciding to go back to school

~ Her biggest struggle in widowhood, figuring out "what's next?"

~ How the Safe Harbor program for grief counseling helped her and her children so much.

~ How she wrote a book that's part memoir/ part financial help for widows. Her book is called A Guide To Widowhood: Navigating the First Three Years.

~ Donna's podcast is called Widow, Wisdom, and Wealth

~ How Donna married her now husband Jim in Graceland and the happy couple is now a blended family of 6!

~ How important it is to wake up every day and ask "How am I going to make the day better for other people? I have an opportunity today. Let's take it!"

You can find Donna at:

https://www.widow-wisdom.com

Email her: [email protected]

On IG: @widowandwisdom

Don't forget to sign up for the Finding Purpose And Meaning After Loss Program For Widows! We're starting Monday January 23, 2023! You know there's a purpose that burns so brightly that nothing in this world can dim it! I want to help you find it! 

Sign up at https://www.widow180.com/purpose

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Last week in the WidowSquad weekly meeting, we were doing a group exercise and choosing our Word Of The Year. Are you familiar with this exercise? It's a very powerful tool to help us stay motivated and focused throughout the year. 

One of our lovely WidowSquad members chose the word PATIENCE. Great word, right?!

She felt like she needed to have more patience with herself. She noticed she was being really hard on herself for "not feeling better by now". This sparked a whole conversation about how this healing process takes time. Grieving takes time. Healing a broken heart takes time. 

I hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with a friend! Also leave a rating and review on the podcast and I'll read it on air!

Don't forget to grab your seat in the Finding Purpose And Meaning After Loss Program For Widows starting soon! You know you are meant for more! You know you want to make an impact on the world! You know you want to make some big changes in your life! Let's do this together!

Go to https://www.widow180.com/purpose

Email me if you have any questions: [email protected]

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

On this episode we are talking to Michelle Collins, author, grief educator, yoga and meditation coach. Michelle's husband Glen took his own life in 2016. Michelle talks to us today about the aftermath of the loss and how she is rebuilding her life.

Michelle and I chat about:

~ How she felt enormous guilt and shame after losing Glen

~ How she suffered from PTSD and what that felt like.

~ How she turned to alcohol and drugs to cope.

~ How a meditation retreat at the Chopra Center changed her life!

~ How she became a grief educator through a David Kessler program in 2021

~ How she connected with TAPS and finally felt accepted and supported!

Michelle has written 2 books:

1. Surviving Spouse Or Partner Suicide Loss: A Mindful Guide For Your Journey Through Grief

2. Supporting A Survivor Of Spouse Or Partner Suicide Loss: A Mindful Guide For Co-Journeying Through Grief

Reach Michelle at https://www.inhabitjoy.com

Grab your seat in the Finding Purpose And Meaning After Loss Program For Widows! We're starting this 4 week group coaching session on Monday January 23, 2023!  Get more details and sign up at https://www.widow180.com/purpose

Email me for questions at [email protected]

 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Hope is believeing with confidence that good things will happen in the future.

Whatever place you're in right now, whatever you're feeling in this season is right for you. It's where you need to be.

I ask you and encourage you, no matter what you're feeling, no matter the high or the low you're in right now, to move into this new year with hope!

Hope will carry you through this next year.

This episode will tell you why!

Join us in the WidowSquad community for more conversations like this! Go to https://www.widow180.com/membership

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

The benefits of reflection are so often overlooked, especially when grieving, when we're feeling like we're just trying to stay afloat. We're so busy adjusting to our new life, our new normal, that we don't tak the time to stop and look at ourselves, not just to praise ourselves, but to see how we're managing it all. 

Reflection is a process. You need to slow down. It requires you to get vulnerable. But it's also a process that can lead to valuable insights and even breakthroughs! 

Grab a pen and your journal and let's get started answering these powerful questions!

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a rating and review and I'll read it on the podcast!

If you want to deep dive further into discussions like this one, join us in the WidowSquad Community! Go to https://www.widow180.com/membership

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If you have any questions or would like to be interviewed on the podcast, email me at [email protected]

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

We're starting today's podcast with a quote from Marcus Aurelius and he says "The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength." This is an important quote because today's topic on the podcast is anxiety.

This podcast episode covers 3 ways you can manage anxiety during the holidays AND any time of year, for that matter. 

If you take away anything from today, I want you to remember this: You have power over the panic! You have the power within you, the strength within you, to calm your mind.

Please be sure to leave us a rating and a review and I'll read it on the podcast and give you a shout-out! 

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You are welcome here!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]