Monthly Take Aways #1

I’ve decided that once a month I will share one of my 7 Take Aways.
These are what I share in my presentations, as an audio download, webinar (coming soon)
and they are written in my book, Love Your Life to Death.

They are the culmination of what I learned in 27 years of nursing as well as in the last few
years hearing many people’s stories. I believe they are essential, if we want to live life
to the fullest, learn to grieve and support others and to have “The Talk” about end of life,
long before it arrives and diffuse the fear.

Take Away #1: The best time to talk about, plan and prepare for grief is when we are young and healthy. The next best time is… Now!!

We are expert procrastinators! People often say, “Why should I talk about grief when
things are going well in my life?” Why? The truth is that grief can arrive at any time.
And grief isn’t just about end of life; it’s divorce, diagnosis, job loss… anything that
causes sadness or misery in our lives.

But if we talk about, plan and prepare long before we are facing grief, at least we can
create a soft landing for ourselves; in life, grief and end of life. I’ve planned my life well, knowing that there is no plan that is perfect and that change is the only constant.
At least I have a direction.

I’ve also planned my end of life and so has Geordie (my better half!).
My extended family has as well. It was such a relief for most of us. We felt empowered
(and yes, emotional). We has great conversations and sorted out things that would
have been horrible to figure out in a crisis.

It is each and every one of our responsibility to plan our life and our end of life.
Here’s something to think about:

*Do you have coping skills and strategies that will help you navigate through grief?

*Do you have beliefs about life and death?

*What else could you do to talk about, plan and prepare for before long before
it arrives and diffuse the fear?

Take Away #1: The best time to talk about, plan and prepare for grief is when we are young and healthy. The next best time is… Now!!