Journey to Grateful

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...

I'm certain everyone can relate to having some special very people in their lives. People who had our back when the need arose, and held us steady as we stumbled through challenging circumstances - loss and the grief that comes with it being one of our largest challenges, if not the largest. Simply known as our “Support System” - these people are family and friends who often come through for us in...

Have you ever thought about what life would be like without plans? It might seem like an odd thought, but plans give structure to our lives. From going to work or school, to celebrating birthdays or holidays with family, we rely on plans to fill our days. Whether it's attending your son's high school football game, watching your daughter's play, or helping your parents with yard work, plans give u...

Speaking to others about their grief experiences has helped me better understand grief over the past few years to, if for no other reason than to become aware that everyone’s grief is different. Our experiences, our circumstances, every aspect of our loss, and how we attempt to move forward have differences that can enlighten us and help us by presenting us all with a slightly different perspectiv...

In today's episode. I am introducing a very unlikely subject for a grief-based podcast; Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI. The idea is to use an AI resource to answer prompts, or questions about grief and see the results. The overarching hope is to compare and contrast what the AI source produces versus what I have attempted to communicate through 96 episodes to date. Come along with m...

Episode #96 will speak to those of you who have directly experienced great, personal loss. Although healing from the loss you are feeling at this moment seems to be impossible at times, come with me as I discuss the possibility of healing. If not right now in this moment, sometime in your future. I know all too well we all are experiencing or have experienced despair, sorrow, denial, anger, and ev...

Today's episode was inspired by a letter shared with me by a very good friend, leadership coach, and fellow podcaster, Angie Robinson. Angie joined me in episode #30 discussing Personality Types, Support, and Choosing a Word for the Year. The episode focused on providing insights to help us understand ourselves as well as others. It helped identify why some friends may shy away from those hard sub...

I realize "The Power of Grief Groceries" title requires a bit of detailed clarification, but that will have to come a bit deeper inside the episode. As a listener you need to understand the premise of this episode is to share what I feel is the best way to help someone suffering a great personal loss. Whether you have personal experience with the passing of a close friend or family member, or you...

No matter how many years you are from your initial loss, your grief will be part of your everyday life. Each day that passes will allow you to find different ways to take another step forward, providing you strength when you need it and confidence when you feel you have none. If you are the support system for a friend walking with grief, you may need to better understand what grief looks like year...

The true definition of the words we use sometimes escapes us when we use them, or we just don't consider their meaning in detail. We often find the words we choose not to be the perfect fit for the moment, but we use them anyway with little thought as to the appropriateness of our choice of words. In this episode, I will look closer at the words “change” and “reveal” as they are associated with th...

All around you, it may seem as though everyone else is doing just fine. Meanwhile, you are a complete mess dealing with your grief, trying to take just one more step each day with no sign that your sorrow will ever subside. Friends may wish for strength in this time of need while others may secretly wonder when you will "get over it." Outside your window the world seems to be going on as usual, no...

This episode will speak to you whether you have lost someone close or distant or only know someone who has. Perhaps you have been fortunate enough not to experience loss in your life. The message of this show is pertinent no matter what your experience with grief may be, and it will fit whatever season of life you currently find yourself within. For my friends who are on their path with grief, I a...

There are so many pieces of this grief puzzle, aren't there? Whether you have been directly affected by a loss or have yet to be, even just knowing someone and seeing them work through their grief, you get an idea of the many puzzle pieces in their life. Recently I've been feeling as though I might be watching the world walk by in this new life I find myself defining. It should not be a surprise t...

Over the past two years of producing this podcast and living through grief for three years, I've discovered one thing is always true. It’s difficult for some people to understand grief. Specifically, it’s hard for some to understand what people are actually “going through” daily with their grief. In addition, many don’t quite get why grief can never be considered to have an end. To help shed a bri...