Journey to Grateful

Anticipatory grief refers to the distress that individuals may feel leading up to the death of a loved one or another impending loss, whether days, months, or even years in advance. The experience of knowing change is coming can start the grieving process in anticipation of that loss. Many people have encountered anticipatory grief without recognizing its name or concept. Reflecting on personal ex...

Since its inception, the Journey to Grateful podcast has been driven by my mission to offer diverse perspectives on the grieving process, utilizing storytelling, inspiration, insights, and personal experiences. Periodically, I receive comments or emails from listeners in response to a specific episode or a recurring theme spanning multiple episodes. Today's episode is directly inspired by such fee...

The people we surround ourselves with in life hold significant importance. They not only have the power to positively influence our growth and development but also serve as a crucial support system during times of need. For those who have endured the loss of a loved one, the value of friends and family during periods of tragedy and grief is profound. Family manifests in various forms throughout ou...

Living Beyond Grief encapsulates the idea that life continues despite the profound challenges posed by loss, and it compels us to navigate this journey in some meaningful way. The persistent question of "how?" often fuels nights filled with anxiety and days marked by aimless wandering while the world around us maintains its usual rhythm. It feels as if we are learning to walk again, navigating a p...

In today's episode, "5 Empowering Strategies to Help You Reconnect with Life in Grief," our focus will be on providing actionable concepts to assist you in taking steps forward through the grieving process. Having personally experienced the challenges of moving forward, I understand this journey's daunting and complicated nature. However, I firmly believe that by approaching it with honesty and ar...

Just like a book is more than its pages, encompassing the breadth of words, the complexity of details, and the depth of emotions that shape the narrative, so too is your life after losing someone who played a pivotal role in shaping your story. It comprises every moment they walked by your side, every gentle touch, every wonderful laugh, every shared teardrop, and every memory you now hold dear. E...

I believe it's essential for all of us to intentionally slow down, pause, and observe our surroundings more frequently than we currently allow ourselves. This is not solely because life has a tendency to swiftly slip away, a realization we're all too familiar with, but also because within the constant hustle of our daily lives, there exist numerous unique perspectives from others that offer crucia...

The individuals with whom you choose to surround yourself hold significant importance throughout your entire life, and this influence becomes even more pronounced during times of grief. I count myself exceptionally fortunate to have received incredible support from my family and a diverse group of friends who have offered unwavering assistance in numerous ways. Among these friends are those who si...

Join me for a distinctive perspective on how we, as grievers and mourners, can navigate those instances in our grief journey when it feels like we're losing our footing. As we seek a fresh, stable direction for our lives moving forward, it becomes apparent that we might need to initiate discussions about the topics we often avoid. The things we don't talk about. I urge you to accompany me as I exp...

I'll confess, I believe the topic of this episode may be long overdue. While I've touched upon this idea in previous episodes, I sense it's time for it to stand on its own. The reason is simple: I believe an increasing number of people may not fully grasp this straightforward fact—it's okay to not be okay. As human beings navigating the journey of grief, there are moments when we simply have to ac...

Today, I pose a question to you: Does grief possess inherent value? I venture to guess that none of the listeners to this episode have ever contemplated this inquiry, nor have you pondered the potential value of grief in your life as you mourn that special someone who still occupies a significant part of your heart. This notion extends to self-value as well. Consider this: What is YOUR value? Whil...

Approximately two months ago, I came across the phrase, "Die with memories, not dreams." Revisiting it today, I still perceive it as a profound and meaningful mantra to embrace in life. This perspective prompts me to ponder the question for all of us: "How many dreams do you currently hold that have yet to transform into memories?" In addition, which of these dreams are within your capacity to pur...

Have you ever found yourself in the company of friends in a laid-back, public environment, only to unexpectedly trip and tumble to the ground? In that moment, as you gather yourself and try to maintain your composure, there's a touch of embarrassment that creeps in. You attempt to find humor in the situation before your friends do. I acknowledge that this might seem like an unusual analogy, but I'...

In this episode, although it centers on the unique perspective of an individual who has experienced the loss of a child, its overarching message seamlessly extends to encompass any form of loss and grief. The discussion today delves into the insights of someone navigating the intricate path of grief, offering a profound understanding of their thought processes while interacting with others during...

Throughout numerous episodes of the Journey to Grateful podcast, I have consistently emphasized the overarching notion of the significance of simply being present for someone grappling with grief. It doesn't necessitate extravagant or intricate actions to provide assistance; the key is to just show up. I'm confident that many individuals, like myself, have aspired to offer meaningful support to so...

Amidst the depths of sorrow, there arises a crucial need for us to be gently nudged toward vital facets of our lives that often get brushed aside. Some of these elements are overt, while others manifest in subtler ways; however, the reminder is equally imperative. It's a call to acknowledge the elements in our lives that still warrant gratitude, even amid grief. We must be prompted to recognize th...

The episode's title hints at yet another analogy aimed at describing grief, attempting to articulate what the experience feels like. If you're a regular listener, you're likely aware of my belief in the power of analogies to provide a more accurate understanding of what grief truly is and how it profoundly affects those in mourning. The very reason behind the creation of the Journey to Grateful po...

Consider this thought-provoking question: Are you letting grief be a part of your life and your daily experience as someone who is grieving? Maybe the better question is whether you've ever thought about intentionally "Letting grief in." This notion isn't necessarily groundbreaking; counselors and therapists likely share similar advice. However, I've grown to value this concept more deeply as I've...

The axiom, "The Topic is Universal, the Experience is Individual," was coined by my good friend, Angie Robinson, within the context of her podcast, The Practically Perfect Leader. While her original discussion centered on self-awareness and leadership development, I discerned a broader connection, particularly in relation to the complex domain of grief. Though Angie's primary focus pertains to the...

The human heart is this complex landscape, hosting a medley of seemingly contradictory emotions - love and loss, grief and gratitude, sorrow and celebration, endings and beginnings. Our existence is this intricate dance of emotions, a constant ebb and flow that presents a challenging tension. I've come to understand that these conflicting emotions can coexist harmoniously, each holding its truth s...

Grief has been a profound teacher throughout my journey, revealing invaluable lessons. Perhaps the most significant insight it has illuminated is the universal thread that ties us all together in our experiences with sorrow. While it may seem an unlikely benefit, grief has a way of bringing people closer, offering solace in shared struggles. In the midst of sorrow, support becomes a comforting all...

The idea of moving through grief by allowing time to pass so your grief can fade and get easier is honestly a misconception. Grief doesn’t fade over time. Instead, as strong humans, we adjust and find ways to live with our grief, allowing it to become a part of our lives going forward. In this episode, I explore the overarching idea of how we can handle the hard, difficult parts of life better and...

There are grief-related writings I stumble upon through social posts, articles, or through internet searches looking for inspiration and motivation. I usually note articles or poems that intrigue me, especially if it’s a different perspective or a concept I haven’t heard before. Sometimes, those written pieces don’t go much past a mental note when I first see them. Unless that is, I see it again a...

In this episode, I share with you a fresh perspective on grief through an article written by Kelisha Gardeen. More specifically, Kelisha details four important aspects of grief that can be helpful to know when you find yourself dealing with the loss of a loved one. Coming from her own experience, Kelisha discovered specifics she now wishes someone would have explained to her after the loss of her...

Today, I’ve decided to go back to the basics of grief, so to speak, back to Grief 101. I’ll share with you ten common signs and symptoms of complicated grief as compiled by the Mayo Clinic. You may encounter these symptoms in your first days, weeks, or months after your loss - we almost all will - and due to this fact, I believe it’s highly important to understand these symptoms. I’ve personally f...