Journey to Grateful

In today’s episode, I’ve created a list of what I believe are the Top Ten Common Grief Myths. There are far more than ten, but I've chosen the most common, many with a higher impact on the grief community than others I've encountered or heard about from others. No matter the myths, this episode exists to help you navigate what you may encounter in the future or help you navigate what you've alread...

While on your journey with grief there will come a time when a friend or professional may ask you what steps you are taking to move forward. Although they tend to have your best interest in mind, the idea of taking a step forward in your life without your passed loved one can be daunting and not something you might want to hear at the time. But there will be a need for you to consider this fact. H...

In today’s episode, I've had the pleasure to chat with and get to know an incredible woman who is a breast cancer survivor, Hashimotos Warrior, and a #1 Amazon bestselling author, Holly Bertone. Holly spent 25 years rising through the ranks of consulting and federal government service before her failing health shattered her corporate dreams. Since then, Holly has leaned into her path of true purpo...

A milestone in life is often considered a large event; a wedding, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a house, but are you aware of the mini-milestones that can occur in your grief journey? The milestones most no one notices, but are felt just as deep. These are usually common, almost everyday experiences that can affect you as much as the first anniversary of your loss. Join me as I dive int...

Through grief, we must come to a point where we begin to take one step forward. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, that step doesn't happen on its own. The power of inspiration and motivation can be instrumental in helping us transition from the grief that is overwhelming to grief that is enlightening. To find the gratitude in your memories and the strength in your heart to take a ste...

While we travel through our days — our lives — we have many things inside us at any given moment. Some things are delicate or fragile; others are joyful or satisfying. However, there are moments what's inside comes spilling out because life has shaken our cup around. In today's episode, we will examine what's in your cup and what we need to do to make certain what spills out tomorrow is something...

It's difficult to know what to say or do for someone who has experienced the loss of a significant person in their life. With the help of Horizon Homecare & Hospice, we will examine twelve tips offered by those who are grieving such a loss. Some will be obvious and sometimes make me wonder why they need to be mentioned, while others may surprise you. No matter your knowledge of grief, these twelve...

Many times, in our everyday lives, we may reference something specific to be "the worst part" of an experience. Often times we do so without putting too much thought into it. Into the details. Today's episode was inspired by a blog post written by Chelsea Ohlemiller at HopeAndHarshRealities.com. In fact, I was so taken by its message that I'd like to share it with you in its entirety and together...

Motivation and grief seem to be an unlikely pair, but motivation can be found in grief. Or at least, in its journey. In today's episode, I challenge you to recognize how grief can take over and choose, instead to find motivation within your sorrow. There is strength to be found in every challenge in life, and this challenge is no different. I share my motivation and present an insight into how you...

Everyday life has a funny way of providing you with perspective during your journey through grief. Often times it is something very minor that you witness or experience in life that presents itself with a different perspective because of your loss. Perhaps it's a better appreciation of small moments in life, or maybe a slightly different lens from which to view a moment. Either way, perspective su...

In all of us, there is the ability to make a difference in someone else's life. Whether it be a simple text to reach out to a friend who is grieving, or sharing a coffee and good conversation to show someone you're there for them… you're listening. No matter the gesture, the impact can be great. On this one-year anniversary of the Journey to Grateful podcast, we celebrate making an impact in the l...

When I strip away all the sorrow, loneliness, tears, and frustration associated with loss and grief, I find at its core consists the delicate balance of two things: Looking Back & Moving Forward. As you enter into grief life becomes overwhelming as you attempt to navigate this new piece of your life's puzzle. The thought of moving forward is simply not possible. There will come a time when you bec...

In this episode, I welcome my new guest, Katty Douraghy, author of The Butterfly Years: A Journey Through Grief Toward Hope. In this book, Katty details her personal journey through grief, her mission to demystify grief and create a space where people can talk about loss without feeling judged or rushed. In our conversation, we touch upon hope, gratitude, self-help, and saying Yes to life. Join me...

I'm joined in this episode by my friend, Angela Batista, owner of Adventures by Angela, but more importantly, a survivor of grief. Angela and I discuss experiencing loss at a pivotal point in her life and how she and her family have been shaped by the experience. We dive into the many seasons of life and embrace the wonderful experiences that can be found there. Join us as we discuss, discover, sh...

There comes a time when you have to consider if you are moving forward with your grief. In this episode, I ask the question and examine a few ways I have been moving forward. However, I've discovered over the past weeks I have work to do. Strides I need to make to truly move forward and I find that my late wife is a source of inspiration with this goal. Listen to see how she has inspired me to tak...

Throughout your grief journey, you will find there are several details of grief that will affect you differently as time moves on. Because of this, your path through grief will change, never looking like anyone else's experience, however, both paths can still have similarities. There is truly no right way to grieve, nor is there a proper path to follow. Instead, there are choices to be made, guida...

With grief comes envy. It's an unspoken side effect of loss which I believe is common, but not often mentioned. It approaches your everyday life as grief does, however with a much different result. It can be an additional internal fight with yourself, making you feel a bit selfish or possibly angry for the many lives around you moving on while you sit alone on the sidelines. I discuss how long env...

Supporting someone through their loss journey can be a challenging mission. Feeling helpless to make a difference is a common side-effect, but you need to understand, just being there is helpful enough. In this episode, we examine my experiences with those who've helped my family and me in common and unique ways. You don't have to feel like there's nothing you can do to help, you just have to cons...

For anyone experiencing this thing called life, it is easy to relate to the title of this episode; An Empty Tank. We all too often are running ourselves on an empty tank, not taking the time to refill what is empty or replenish what is needed. When dealing with the loss of someone, feeling empty becomes a whole new ache we were not prepared to feel. The need to focus on ourselves and refill what's...

Life is filled with many opportunities to make choices. Some may choose the good, while others may choose a darker path. In grief, choices are abundant as well. As we navigate through grief we can choose to face the day with strength and optimism, or sorrow and frustration. One thing is certain, no day is like the next. In this episode, I present a story that focuses on the power of choice. A simp...

This episode promises to provide you with a better way to understand yourself as well as others. It will help you identify why some friends may shy away from those hard subjects, while others dive in and have always been by your side. We identify key traits to find within yourself that can offer up a better understanding of how you feel, interact, process thoughts and emotions, and much more. I ch...

Forward motion in life is important, however, with loss comes the overwhelming sense of moving forward an impossibility. As with any challenge in life, taking one step at a time is the best way to gain enough momentum to move forward, no matter the pace. So the question remains, how does one take those steps forward? Although the answer is not an easy, one-size-fits-all solution, it does require t...

As we adjust to the new year ahead we see January as the start of something new. For those who are on their journey with grief, each month, each week, and for many, each day can feel the same, however, with the start of something much different. Not necessarily the promise of something new. To "Begin Again" becomes a daily aspect of your new life with its own peaks and valleys. Today we discuss a...

During this time between Christmas and the New Year, we often find ourselves reflecting back on the previous year. Taking stock in our successes, our failures, and the things that have affected our lives. Happiness is usually another measuring stick we use to establish the tone of the year that has come to an end, but when you are grieving, happiness, is at best, fleeting. Join me in this episode...

During Christmas, the joy and festivities presented by so many can be daunting to someone who is on their journey in grief. With the world tilted toward holiday cheer and everything merry, adding grief to this anxious time of year presents to many a nearly impossible task. To have a Merry Christmas… as usual. In this episode, I discuss ways to shift your mindset to still have a good holiday season...