All Blog Postings by Mary
Your Biggest Resource
Archive notice: This is a historical post from Mary’s years of blogging. Some older posts may mention products, courses or shop items that are no longer available, as Mary now focuses her time and energy on supporting widows inside her private Facebook community. The guidance and stories remain here as a free resource for widows.
For current ways to connect with Mary’s work, you can:
- Read her book on Amazon .
- Request to join her private Facebook group for widows .
You are your biggest resource. As a widow you may need financial advice, support and training on how to do things your husband used to do. There are resources everywhere, you just need to be open to them. But, don’t forget that the biggest resource you have is yourself, your own determination and passion will see you through your grief.
What you have to have is a positive attitude. When faced with a problem (and there will be a lot) say to yourself, “of course this can be solved and I’m the one to do it.” Each time you solve a problem, big or small, it gives you more confidence for the next one.
If there is a time when you feel too discouraged and depressed to carry on, you should consider asking for professional help. But please don’t let medication be your first attempt at healing your broken heart. Some organizations and grief groups are fairly easy to find, just keep asking until you find what you need.
Sometimes, it’s simple, like discovering that another widow can be a great resource for a new widow. The line “you have to have been there to know what it’s like” is so true when grieving. Another widow can reassure you that your grieving is not insane and that you will survive this.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but listen to you inner voice and believe in yourself. You have an inner strength and it is your biggest resource, if you would only use it. For widows that are trying to find their way, they soon discover that they will not begin to live more fully until they have the courage to do, see and experience from their own eyes.
Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself, “Why should I do this?” and “Why shouldn’t I do this?” When considering your “Yes” or “No” response, you must give yourself time to choose the response that feels like freedom and not duty.
Be your biggest resource and supporter. There is no reason why you can’t say, “You know, that doesn’t work for me.” I don’t know why that’s so difficult to say, but it is. Remember that just because you are a widow, doesn’t mean that you don’t have a life or an opinion.
Mary Francis, The Sisterhood of Widows
#thesisterhoodofwidows, #widow, #grief, #griefsupport, #widowsupport