CAA magazine

http://emag.caamagazine.com/issue/46507


Here is a link to the Winter 2011 CAA magazine that my article is in.  Check it out on page 11.

Transition - Stages Of Grief

I wanted to understand why my husband died so young, at the age of only fifty-three.  I wanted to figure out why it happened, so I could move on.

Transition is the beginning of realizing  that there is no clear answer as to why some things happen.  Transition represents a period of transformation, as you learn new ways of living on your own.  It is the beginning of becoming free from grief and moving into healing.

This is where you face yourself, learn about who you really are, and start to rebuild your foundation.

Self Worth Of A Widow

     Your feelings of self-worth and self-esteem will greatly affect how well you will find your path.  Low self-esteem and loss of identity are common after the loss of a spouse.

     You have invested so much of yourself into your marriage that when it ends, you may feel lost.  You may have even thought; “No one will even miss me so what’s the use of getting up?”

     As you improve your feelings of self worth, you will be able to step out of the depression and start feeling better about yourself.  You will have the courage to face your new life because you will start to believe in yourself and trust your own judgment.

Letting Go - Stages of Grief

     It’s tough to let go of the strong emotional ties which remain after the death of a loved one.  Nevertheless, it is important to stop investing emotionally into what you cannot change

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     Instead begin to invest your time in productive personal growth, which in turn will help you work through your grief as you find your way.

     I’m not talking about letting go of your memories because they should be cherished and honored.  But there comes a time when you should start investing in life and start adding some new cherished memories to your journey.

Instant Gratification

Nowadays, we all want instant gratification and don’t have patience. We want everything to happen this instant and we don’t always understand the value of patience, of being ready when the proper time comes.

As we set out to find our path, there should be no time limit. We are looking for change over the long haul, change that is going to be with us for the rest of our lives. In order to make these changes, we must be aware of our strengths and weaknesses, because we all have them.

The key is not only knowing which ones are which, but also knowing how to manage them. Our job is to define our new role in life – a role that maximizes our strengths and minimizes our weaknesses. Our strategy should be to leverage a skill we already have and build up our confidence so we can stand tall as we face these dramatic changes.

November 2011 Newsletter

The Sisterhood Of Widows November 2011 Newsletter  http://conta.cc/uvyDuL via #constantcontact

Anger - Stages Of Grief

Grieving is an important part of your recovery journey.  But we might also go through a lot of anger as we grieve our loss.  Most widowed people are not aware that they are capable of such rage because they have never been this angry before.

Maybe the anger is focused on the health care system, on a friend or family member, God or just at the injustice of life.  It is difficult for others to understand the intensity of the anger your feeling unless they have also lost a loved one

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Anger combined with overwhelming sadness can lead to despair.  It will drain you of energy and lead you to feeling helpless and powerless to change your life.  Understanding these feelings is crucial to rebuilding your life and finding your balance.