Hi there!

In today’s video, I will share why this international pandemic could potentially be the doorway for growth. We will also revisit the idea of how COVID-19 is a grieving experience, and how grief is an opportunity for reflection, rediscovery, and reprioritization in our lives. 

Post-traumatic growth is an age-old philosophy that talks about how we experience growth through suffering. Therefore, post-traumatic growth is about how we experience a challenge or a change in life and how it creates an opportunity for growth.

This reprioritization allows us to grow through our suffering if we allow ourselves to be in a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset.

Post-traumatic growth is an opportunity to transform through a grieving experience. Evidence to look for in your life to see if you're experiencing post-traumatic growth is: 

1. A new appreciation for life

2. A changed sense of priorities 

3. A warmer more intimate relationship. 

4. A greater sense of personal strength. 

5. Recognition of new possibilities. 

It doesn't diminish any of the grief that you're having, as grief is the conflicting feelings that come when things change. It is saying that this experience that we're all going through right now, while challenging, devastating, hard, and even heartbreaking, is also an opportunity for us to grow, transform, and create a new beginning that we maybe never thought was possible.

“Just as the ground after the fire is the most fertile place for growth, your life after loss has the potential for a new beginning that you never even knew was possible.”

Remember to give yourself kindness and love. Encourage yourself to find ways to look at your life with an open mind about new opportunities and possibilities. Find ways to appreciate your relationships and have deeper connections. Find ways to have a greater sense of personal strength, and give yourself a pat on the back for all the ways in which you are tackling some of the hardships that are coming your way. Also, be compassionate with yourself when you don't do it the way that you wish you would have.

Wishing you the best in these trying times and sending you lots of love.

For more information, check out my Masterclass, Compassionate Communication 101: 5 Shifts to Confidently Navigate Change and Challenge with Ease.

Hey guys!

In this video, I get into how grief exists in all the changes we experience in life and that what you are feeling when things change is normal.

According to the Grief Recovery Institute, grief is the conflicting feelings that come at the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. Therefore grief is in all changes that we experience as humans.

With the Coronavirus, the stay at home orders, and all the big changes that come with work, socializing, and life in general not to mention all of the grieving experiences that are related to traditional grieving experiences, just know that it's okay to grieve.

A few of the most important things that we have to remember in order to have compassion for ourselves during this challenging time is that:

1. It is ok to grieve (all losses not just death.)

2. Your feelings are legitimate, yours and yours alone. They are normal and they are natural.

3. Remember to acknowledge and validate yourself and others.

4. Whatever you're experiencing is ok!

5. You don't have to compare yourself to others. Comparing leads to isolation.

6. Try not to diminish other's feelings or experiences as well.

7. Relate kindly to yourself.

8. Know your audience and know who can support you!

To learn more, watch our brand new Masterclass: Compassionate Communication 101: 5 Shifts to Confidently Navigate Change and Challenge with Ease.

Hi there!

In this video blog, I speak about the importance of redefining 'selfish' and taking care of yourself so you can give more to others. If we don't fill ourselves up first, we don't nourish ourselves or take proper care of ourselves, we become depleted, exhausted, and we have nothing left to give others, including our friends and family.

Instead of thinking of it as being selfish to put yourself first, instead, consider it as nourishing yourself so you have more to give. If we don't take care of ourselves we can't be any good to anyone else!

We need a strong foundation for our partnership, colleagues, family, children or whoever else it is that you support or serve in your life.

Please let me know what you think in the comments!

For more support, check out our Masterclass: Compassionate Communication 101: 5 Shifts to Confidently Navigate Change and Challenge with Ease. Register here!

Good morning!

I recently had the privilege to guest blog for Understanding Compassion explaining the four most common responses to grief and how to respond instead.

Here's a sneak preview:

Everyone experiences grief or loss at some point during life, and it’s helpful to know what to say and what not to say to a grieving loved one in order to be as supportive and compassionate as possible.

Opening up about our deepest and most vulnerable feelings can be very challenging, and that’s why it’s so important to use language which truly nurtures and cares for the feelings of another. Those experiencing grief often say, “No one feels like I feel,” or “If I tell people how I feel, they may think I’m crazy or may not want to be around me.” Even though we have all been through something; a crumbled relationship, losing someone dear, a move, a rejection, etc…. we often feel alone in our painful experiences.

Many of us haven’t been taught how to compassionately relate to the painful feelings of others, or even how to relate to our own. We aren’t given tools as a society to deal with the sad stuff. We are expected to feel good most or all of the time. 

To read more, click here:

https://understandingcompassion.com/articles/the-four-most-common-responses-to-grief-and-how-to-respond-with-compassion-instead/