Tag Archives: loss

The Mary Mac Show | Are We Ever Prepared?

The Mary Mac Show PodcastNo matter when we ourselves die or when someone we love dies, are we ever truly prepared?

We might think if we had a longer time to think about our death or someone else’s, as in the case of a terminal or chronic illness, that somehow it will be easier because we expected it.

And we might think that if someone died suddenly from a tragic accident, murder, suicide, military or law enforcement death or natural disaster like hurricane, flood, etc., somehow that would be an even more difficult death to live with.

But chances are good, we won’t be satisfied with how they died or the timing of their death. We still want them here with us regardless how they died and when.

And if they were reckless, that adds to the drama.

One of the most important things I want this podcast to achieve is what I’ve always wanted for the people I’ve helped for over three decades. And that is to help you become more emotionally stable during your grieving process.

I want you to learn skills on how to help yourself function better.

In this episode I introduce you to Brad Yates, who practices EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique, which I strongly recommend you learn for all your emotional needs. He has helped me tremendously over the years and you will be so amazed at what it can do for you! (More links in the show notes.)

Grief is messy but I want you to gain as much control as possible.

Visit here to listen to Episode 7 and please subscribe, rate and review at your favorite podcast portal.

Mostly, please share my podcast with those who need us.

The Mary Mac Show | Understanding the Stages of Grief

The Mary Mac Show PodcastMany people who talk about the stages of grief believe that you go through them in a certain order. But this is far from the truth.

The stages of grief are completely different for those who are actually dying versus those who survive a loved one’s death.

Survivors go through a roller coaster of emotions during the grieving process. They move through the various stages sometimes on a more frequent basis, then later more slowly. They can jump around between stages and perhaps skip stages that no longer relate to them.

What you need to know is that there is no right way to grieve. No perfect way to go through these ‘stages’ and I, for one, think they set us up for self-imposed failure because we think we should go through them in some particular order.

Everyone is different so please don’t beat yourself up because of what you’ve learned in the past about these stages.

You will go through YOUR grieving process in the exact manner you’re supposed to. No one can dictate how it will flow, so don’t put some framework on yourself.

Yes, you might touch on each of these stages, but perhaps not in the order they are usually discussed. And you might go back and forth experiencing some for a little longer or shorter than others.

Our work is to help you celebrate the life of the person who died or was killed and to honor what you are going through. We look for the positive instead of the negative. We look for you to feel better not worse because you think you should be moving along at someone else’s predetermined pace.

That’s nonsense.

Use your gratitude journal every night. Concentrate on what you DO want instead of what you don’t. And live the new life that is here for you.

Even if you’re not happy about it.

Listen to Episode 6 here. Download, rate and review.

The Myths Surrounding the Grieving Process

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 5, we look at the various myths surrounding the grieving process and how not knowing them can lead you to confusion, misunderstanding and unnecessary pain.

Some survivors believe that they will grieve exactly the same way for each person in their live who dies or is killed. And that simply is not the case.

Other feels once they have completed their grieving process, somehow memories or snippets of pain will never come back. This also is a myth because you will experience various occasions like graduations, weddings, birth of children and grandchildren and you’ll wish your special loved one was there to experience it with you.

Listen in to learn all the myths surrounding the grieving process in Episode 5 of The Mary Mac Show.

The Mary Mac Show | New Year, New Decade, New Life

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 4, we begin to look at each area of your life and consider what you want for yourself in this new year instead of what you don’t want.

So often when we feel so badly after a loved one’s death, we simply cannot fathom how we will find a way to build a new life for ourselves.

Sometimes we don’t feel we are entitled to develop something new for ourselves.

But if we don’t consider what our life might look like, especially as we begin a new year and new decade, we will simply slump or continue slumping into a despair which can overtake us.

And I’m sure you might feel you are entitled to that despair, but what if you thought a bit differently? What if you decided they would want you to still live a meaningful life?

So in this episode, I not only continue encouraging you to keep up with your gratitude journal, but now start to consider what you might like to change or do in the new year.

Go to The Mary Mac Show and download Episode 4. Subscribing is the easiest way to insure you’ll always get my podcast each Sunday morning.

I hope you will take the time to do the exercises I give you in this episode.

You have a choice – to live in despair or begin something new. I choose ‘new’ for you.

Send me your comments by clicking on “Read More” after each episode. Or just simply leave them below.

And I wish you a comforted New Year!

Blessings to you.

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Preparing for Christmas and Hanukkah

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 2, I delve into how to best prepare yourself for the year-end holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah.

The very best thing you can do for yourself is to consider what you are capable of, what brings you joy, how to decrease stress surrounding gifts, decorating, baking, invitations, etc.

What you did last year or in years past, may not be practical this year. It may just be too much for you and that’s alright.

I also discuss how to talk to family and friends to discuss how they can help you at this time.

Go to The Mary Mac Show and download Episode 2. Subscribing is the easiest way to insure you’ll always get my podcast each Sunday morning.