The Shack – A Story of Heartache To Healing
April 6, 2009 by JoAnne
Filed under grieving process, healing, healing a broken heart
If you haven’t read the book, “The Shack”, I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a loving story of a man’s journey through grief, faith and forgiveness. He finds strength to face his great sadness and come to a new understanding about life, love and beyond. I don’t want to say more for those who haven’t read it yet, but it is a real page turner.
Today I had the honor of meeting the author, William Paul Young at a book signing event and later that evening to hear him speak. His personal story is incredible in that he started out to write a short story for his kids… Mr. Young refers to his story as a “God thing” and what a story it is.
I believe Paul Young will help many with this story of heartache to healing. He is an inspiration at a time when people want hope and to believe again.
Paul Young & Me
Signing Book
The Shack-Story of Heartache To Healing
February 7, 2009 by JoAnne
Filed under grief, healing, Hope, HOPE and INSPIRATION, Inspiration
If you haven’t read the book, “The Shack”, I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a loving story of a man’s journey through grief, faith and forgiveness. I don’t want to say more for those who haven’t read it yet, but it is a real page turner.
Today I had the honor of meeting the author, William Paul Young at a book signing event and later that evening to hear him speak. I now am convinced even more than I have always been that many people through personal tragedy are lead to help others. Wm. Paul Young will help many with this story of heartache to healing.
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Why do we regress during the holidays?
Holiday time is all about regression, we think alot about the past, what was and those loved ones no longer here that we celebrated the holidays with, this is why holiday time can be so difficult.
Family will often stop you from grieving during this time because they don’t want you to be sad so they won’t bring up the loved one that died. So often times its easier to be with friends who will let you talk about the great times you had with your deceased loved one. Talking is a part of grieving and just know that especially during the holiday season you moods might wave up and down because you should feel a longing for the ones that are no longer with you. Just know you will get through this time of year and you will even laugh and find joy. You might even feel guilt for being happy instead of being grief ridden – many people experience this too. Just know you will get through the holiday season as long as you feel hope and love from those you surround yourself with.
Wishing each one of you much joy during this holiday season.
in love & hope, JoAnne
Tips To Find Gratitude in Grief
Thanksgiving is that family time when we all share a meal and talk about all that we are thankful for. Sometimes through grieving we can’t seem to find gratitude through our tears and sorrow, and you know what that’s OK for now – give yourself a reasonable amount of time. You will search your soul and find many things to be grateful for when you are ready, remember to focus on those still in your life, and the many blessings you have everyday such as a job that provides security and money, a home you have to shelter you, food on your table perhaps an animal that brings you joy and comfort. Yes, there are still many things to be thankful for during this holiday season even if you are grieving, and if you can focus your eyes on what is still here I guarantee you will some comfort in that.
Bless you and those you love.
Here is a great on-line gratitude log that is free, check it out: www.gratitudelog.com
Write About Your Feelings
As you attempt to deal with your sadness, anger, and fear you may find it helpful to write about those feelings. Writing about your feelings helps to unload some of that pressure because it gives you a way to express your emotions. Grief is a journey and grieving is a process, writing is a tool that can help you on your journey to heal.
Some find it helpful to write letters to those they’ve lost, others write their feelings in a journal which is what I do and still others may write in blogs or grief forums such as this. Choose a tool that works for you, trust your intuition and write whatever your heart is feeling. You will change, your writing will change and you will write for yourself or be inspired to write for others as I do here.
If you feel inspired to share, please write your comments after any of the postings you read on this blog, sharing with others is a healing experience so let’s pass it on!
I always welcome your personal comments by emailing me at: joanne@heartachetohealing.com
Are You Open To Receive?
Today I was thinking about how being open to receive relates to those going through any type of transition, I usually talk about loss as it relates to death but today I am thinking of anyone going through transitions. Being open to receive means putting yourself – your mental state in a place to receive love again, to receive kindness from others, to be able to simply say thank you when some gives you something. The act of being open to receive will open you heart to healing.
My thought for today….yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to be. Go out an start a new day and be open to receive whatever comes your way. Start here by receiving the gift of a brighter more hopeful tomorrow from me.
enjoying the day at Hermosa Beach, CA
What Do You Fear From Loss?
June 2, 2008 by admin
Filed under death, grieving process, healing, loss
We all have fear surrounding the death of a loved one, and I think addressing those fears will help you in the grieving and healing process.
After the death of my husband, some of my fears were as follows, please send me your comments in the space below as to what were or are your fears?
- How will I ever get over this overwhelming sadness
- Unbelieving that he is actually gone
- How will my life go on without him
- How will I manage our business
- How will I financially make it
Lessons From Loss are Lessons in Living Life
May 20, 2008 by admin
Filed under grief, grieving process, healing, healing a broken heart, life, life lessons, loss, SPIRITUAL HEALING
There are many lessons I have learned through loss, and I am coming to understand now that I probably knew these lessons all along, in other words they were within me, my core, who I am. However it took the tragedy of loss for me to remember those lessons and have the courage to take action and affirm how precious life is. I am not here to dwell on loss but rather support you in life.
Healing a broken heart can be done with time, courage and the desire to heal. Going through the grieving process and healing comes from within but we are not meant to walk the journey alone. Asking for the support of family and friends is necessary and perhaps spiritual healing from clergy or any spiritual advisor. From whomever gives you comfort, they too will help you to living life again.
Loss can bring clarity to your life and to the things that matter most, don’t ignore that. There is no going back for a do over, but there is another day to live a life of joy. Take each day as it comes, be grateful for where you are and what you have NOW, and be open to new possibilities. You can’t change the past, but you can direct the wind in your sails for the future.
For an inspirational read about the true value of living life, Please take the time to read - “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch
“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
–Randy Pausch
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