Homework Show - Stress 09/07 by At The Kitchen Table0 | Blog Talk Radio

Homework Show - Stress 09/07 by At The Kitchen Table0 | Blog Talk Radio

Enjoy listening to our program. Please feel free to give us feedback and topic suggestions for future episodes. If you are in need of further learning tools, you may schedule a life coaching session with Liz or, perhaps treat yourself to a relaxing massage with Ari!

Listen to your "still, small voice"

I began today by attending the Women's Breakfast at my church. It is a holiday weekend and I really wanted to just relax but, it seemed important for some reason that I attend. I met some new and wonderful women there and we really had some great ideas to share and lots of fun. I'm glad I went! After breakfast, I had a feeling that I should visit my mother-in-law. I'm not sure why but, I was hesitant about taking more time out of my day. A quiet, nagging voice kept telling me to just "check in"-boy, I'm glad I listened! I found her puttering around the kitchen but, when we began to talk, I noticed that she looked very down. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Nothing, I don't know, I can't see anything any more and I'm alone a lot." I gave her a hug and sat down to visit for a while. I'm so glad I didn't talk myself out of stopping by. Often, we get these thoughts about checking in with friends or family and we find reasons why we can't do it. God or the Universe or whatever you believe in sends us these little messages because He knows someone needs us. Hopefully, I will remember today's lesson and not resist making a call or a visit the next time I get the idea, I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to lift someone's spirits just because I am too busy. There's always something on our plates, just remember, don't be too busy to care and listen to that "still small voice" when it comes,take the time to do what it's urging you to do, you'll be glad you did!

It's a Choice

I've been working with many women who are experiencing dramatic life transitions; retirement, change of address, major changes in the home, loss of a loved one-etc. The most important thing I can share is, how you handle these transitions is up to the individual person. I have been very impressed with how many women seek out their support networks and ask for the help they need. Others have put themselves in a most unenviable position of trying to handle their situations without help, this method doesn't seem to be working! It's important to realize that there are going to be transitions, and transitions are difficult enough to navigate through, you don't have to do it alone. You have a choice, there are people and resources available to help. It's important to challenge yourself to be strong enough to ask for help. There are many people out there who want to support others, they have the skills and the motivation but, you need to ask, go out and work to make life better! How you choose to handle life's transitions is up to you, if you believe that life will work out, things will get better and keep moving forward, you will navigate these events successfully. Don't send yourself negative messages, be positive and believe that you will get through the transitions stronger and wiser, ask for help and tap into those people around you waiting to support and love you.

Being Ready

I've been contemplating how to express my thoughts on the topic of "being ready" for the loss of a loved one, especially a partner. During the past month or so, I have lost my brother and two very dear friends. My brother was in his 80's and in ill health so, his death was expected and all the arrangements for his services and his partner had been made. The transition was sad but, smooth.

In the case of my friends, they were 47 and 56 years of age, no one expected them to pass and nothing was done to take care of the transitions. No arrangements made, no real discussion of the practical side of death-what their wishes were, what important information was needed to be sure their loved ones would be provided for, bank accounts in both names, businesses in both names, passwords and important documents organized and easily accessible-none of that was done. I watched as their loved ones and friends scrambled to do what needed to be done, in shock and disbelief they've been working get affairs in order so they could continue on with living, no time to grieve, no time to think, no time to "be"-just trying to survive an unthinkable situation.

I urge everyone to talk about life and end of life issues. Don't wait until something happens, be ready. Make sure these tough discussions have taken place and all is in readiness so that you or your loved ones are not left to struggle through a difficult time as they try to figure out how to access the bank accounts, the computer programs, the bills due, what is to be done for memorial services, did you want to donate your organs, did you want to be creamated or buried, when and where did you want to be after the services...all things that should be arranged and in writing well in advance of a loss.

Take the time to make a Will, then you know you've take care of those that are left behind and given them the "gift" of knowing you loved them so much that, even in death, you prepared for them to be able to transition and adjust to the rest of their lives. Don't wait...it's a sobering reality that all of us face, let's not make it harder on those we love when the Lord does call us home-be ready!