Hello world, It’s finally available THE Launch Day! Tues. 4/24, 2018.

Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me To Breathe Again is about the death of my first husband, Kris and the journey of raw grief to living boldly. The memoir is now available in eBook format and paperback. I wanted you to be some of the first to know it is now available to the public.

Here’s a snippet of feedback from my busy book launch team who have been reading and commenting: well written, wow, captivating, gripping, vulnerable, riveting, raw, powerful, and visceral.  

I need your help to spread the word and get it into the hands of those who need this book most.  Those who have lost hope, suffered loss, and feel alone.  My intent is to reach as many as possible so that no one has to do this alone.
 
How can you help spread the word? 

• Share and forward this blog
• Point anyone you know might benefit to the book
• Share via social media 
• Read the book & post a review
• Gift it someone
• Invite me to blog on your site
• Invite me speak to your network 
• 
  
  
  

Where to find the book?

The Kindle eBook and paperback are available for ordering now through Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Love-Taught-Breathe-Again-ebook/dp/B07CHVHKN2/

The paperback version is also available on my website. - https://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/the-book.html 

A humongous thank you to my stellar launch team for helping make this launch happen and fun!! Your comments have filled my soul and helped me realize it was all worth it!

Big shout out and warm thank you to my beta readers, book critique group and family for their support and encouragement.  You all are my book angels and cheerleaders!

Thank you in advance for sharing and I’d love to hear your comments.
 
Peace and Blessings,

Teresa Bitner, PMP, M. Ed., ACC
 
Partnering with those who have been knocked down my life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com 
 
 

October is my grief month.  This is the week of grief anniversaries for me.  I’m taking a break from the steps to surviving change and loss blogs to write about this.  I have two grief anniversaries this year, hmm, I guess forever.  Now what do I do with this awkward, weird, uncomfortable grief and recognition?

This is the one-year of mom’s death and the seven years of Kris, my first husband.  Last year I wrote my blog on my mom’s deathand shared my raw insights on grief.  This year it’s the one year anniversary of her death.  How do I feel about that?

It’s all bittersweet.  On the one hand, it’s a relief that I’m not living in that dark place of the pre-grief, hospitals, hospice and watching her decline due to congestive heart failure and dealing with dad’s dementia all at the same time.  This time last year was overwhelmingly awful.  Then on the other hand, I’m in a surreal place of wow, a whole year and I still miss mom and I’m sad she’s gone.  I have survived that first year of firsts, OK, check – however I’m not done grieving.  I feel the sadness, that darn hole in the heart feeling, the replaying of events leading up to her death, the desire to talk about it, and the mind constantly thinking, Oh, a year ago, I was doing… mom was… There’s a lot of dread for the holidays since mom’s influence is huge and continues to affect me during the upcoming holiday season.
 
My deeper thoughts are, Augh, another grief anniversary and now two in the same week?  It feels like too much sometimes. Other times, I can go about my daily life.  The loss of Kris has lessened over time.  It is now a part of the fabric of our lives, that hole is still there.  Still, there is the reminder and sadness he’s not here, I miss him and he’s not there for the boys. Yes, we’ve all moved forward with life but, he’s still not here for the boys and that’s the most painful part.  He is still here with the memories, sayings and living within my children – just not physically on this earthly plane.  It’s a very weird place to be happily married but still miss my late husband. How does one wrestle with that?  I don’t really know and sometimes it feels so awkward.  I just try accepting it and thank God I’ve been blessed with two amazing men in my life.
 
What to do this icky and uncomfortable grief week? I will choose take care of myself and acknowledge this is a weird and uncomfortable week of grief anniversaries.  I am taking a few days off to get away at the end of the week with a friend this year.  Time to try something different and hopefully refreshing.  What do I need?  Just prayers and love.
 
So what do YOU do with your grief anniversaries? I’d love to hear so please share.  If you are experiencing your first and have no idea where to start here are a few thoughts from my journey you might find useful

Be aware of the date and what may be bubbling up for you.

• Ignoring and it stuffing it are forms of denial and can lead to outbreaks later.
• Consider how you feel and what you might need or want at this time.

Communicate what you need/want to others

• Do you want to be reminded of the day?  (i.e. FB “thinking of you”, emails, texts, calls, cards)  OR Do you prefer to not be reminded and move forward?
• Do you need or want support or talk about it?
• Work to communicate your needs to others.
  • They need to know what you want and how to support you.
  • Other people are generally trying to be helpful – if they aren’t gently let them know what you do need or want. 
    

How do you want to remember or spend the day(s)?

• Do you want or need to take time off of work?
• Do you want others around or spend it quiet?
• Do you want to get away or stay at home?

 
Do you want to do something special in memory of that person?Here are a few ideas myself and clients have chosen:

• Visit grave/memorial site
• Plant a plant or tree in memory of
• Put up a cross/other religious/spiritual memento
• Go down memory lane:
• Watch home video, look at photo albums, go through belongings, share stories
• Light a candle
• Journal/write/draw/paint
• Cook, build, do something they would have loved or enjoyed
• Volunteer or donate to their favorite charity
• Play their music, watch their movies, read their books
• Plan a special event, memorial or church service 

I’d love to hear how you cope and what If anything you do you do on your loved one’s death day?  What have you found helpful?  I’ve included some grief resources below that might be helpful.
 
Are you or someone you know struggling with change and loss?  I partner with those who desire change and are ready to make positive changes.  Together we work to move forward to live boldly and fulfilled.  I love hearing my clients joy restored and life moving forward again.

Check out my website or email me and let’s connect.  If you want more change, loss, and life tips register for my newsletter – to the right of this blog.

Are you or someone you know dealing with loss and grief?  Who do you know that has lost someone this past year?
 

• Register early for my Grief Perspectives – Surviving the Holidays Program
  • Starting Nov. 1, 8pm EST - 7pm CST – 5pm PST

 

• This three-week program is designed to give you additional weekly support and tools for surviving the holidays.  This is a deeper dive into how grief affects you during the holidays and can derail your joy and peace.  We will move from discussion to taking positive actions to survive and possibly thrive during the holidays.  - See more at: http://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/holidaygriefprogram.html

 
Peace, Love, & Blessings,
 
Teresa Bitner

Bold Fulfilled Business & Life Coach –Change and Loss Specialty
[email protected]


 
Resources for Grief Anniversaries
 
Celebrating Anniversaries
 
Celebrating Anniversaries 2
 
Memorial Poems
 
The Firsts

Teresa's Free Resources for Grief

I’m really honored and delighted to be interviewed on the international platform The Business Springboard with Radio Host Louise Crooks, and it’s coming up SOON.  I wanted you to hear all about it.
 
Join us for this 3 part interview series - Overcome the Tsunami Wave of Grief and Loss Now
 
We will cover 3 topics in this interview series:
 
Episode 1:  Overcoming the Tsunami of Grief  - Am I Going Crazy?
Mon. 22 Aug @ 1pm Eastern / 12noon Central/ 10am Pacific -Click here to set an alert.
 
Episode 2:  Confronting My Loss And Accepting My Life Has Changed
Wed. 24th Aug @ 1pm Eastern / 12noon Central / 10am Pacific    
Save the date!   More info coming to you shortly.
 
Episode 3:  Finding Your New Normal After The Loss of a Loved One.
Fri. 26th Aug @ 1pm Eastern / 12noon Central / 10am Pacific
Save the date!  More info coming to you soon.
 
 
Episode 1 - Overcoming the Tsunami of Grief – Am I Going Crazy?
 
In this first episode Louise will interview me on why grief often feels like we are going crazy after experiencing great loss.  I will share how I survived the sudden loss of my first husband and long journey through my mother’s failing health to eventual death, and the peaks and valleys that followed.
 
Listen in to learn steps to overcome and get through this tsunami of emotion.  You'll find out what is 'normal' when you are grieving and what to expect after a loss.  You'll hear tips for managing your emotional journey in a work setting and how to handle it with your employees and colleagues, as well as with other family members.  Listen in and learn more about how this journey doesn’t have to be a lonely and isolating one. 

REMEMBER!  Calendar this in NOW so you’re sure to catch this compelling show.

Monday 22nd Aug at 1pm ET/12 CT/10am PT
Click here to LISTEN LIVE, and to schedule your show alert: http://budurl.com/grieftsunami
 
Want to know a bit more about the rest of this 3 part interview series? 

I’m sure you’ll find the topics we’re discussing really helpful. (Please share if you know someone who could benefit! You can use the share buttons below.)


Here’s a little taster of what’s coming up:
 
Episode 2: Confronting My Loss And Accepting My Life Has Changed
 
In this second episode I’ll be interviewed on how to confront your loss. We’ll discuss why moving toward acceptance is important for healing and moving forward, as well as how to take steps to move toward acceptance, and the benefits of acceptance – both personally and professionally.  Grief is something that affects us all at some point in our lives.  It’s not IF, it’s WHEN.
 
Episode 3:  Finding Your New Normal After The Loss of a Loved One.
In this last episode of the series, I will be interviewed on what is meant by finding a new normal after a loss, how to find your new normal, steps to build your new normal – personally and professionally, possibilities for your new normal and lastly what do with those that don’t accept your new normal. Let’s unlock your change from within - and NOT from outside influences, which we’re susceptible to in times of great change.
 
I really hope you join us.  I know this could be a difficult time for you, and hope you’ll get lots from these interviews. 
 
Mark off the dates in your calendar, and look out for more details over the next couple of weeks.
 
Peace & Blessings,
 
Teresa
 
P.S.  Do you know someone who could really benefit from listening to this series?  Please feel free to forward this information to them, to let them know.  Not only will I be grateful, but I’m sure they will be too!

PPS. Looking for Grief Resources - check out my free resource page.