The Journey from Grief to Gratitude – Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM
P. L. Brooks Seminars, LLC – Speaker, Author, Consultant, Faculty – www.plbrooks.com
In partnership with Gifts of Sisterhood – a book about sibling loss, grief and healing.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY – Osher Life Long Learning Program www.asu.edu
Thank you for allowing me to present this workshop to:
the ASU Polytech Campus and
the Sun City Anthem community center in Florence, AZ
§ Grief’s Meaning
§ It hurts uniquely during the Holidays
§ Seek supportive/understanding people
REFLECTION: The Snowflake theory for me is important because……
§ Grief’s Mysteries
§ Everyone does not go through all the Stages
§ Take a break to compose yourself
REFLECTION: The Grief Journey’s physical and emotional areas that surprised me were……
§ Grief’s Impact
§ Most areas of my life were affected
§ Stay busy but allow your feelings
REFLECTION: I will begin to Do something I have always wanted to Do for me and that is……
QUOTE: “Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much.”
A. J. Cronin
§ Your Perception
§ Death is a natural part of life
§ Grief stages are an integral part of living
REFLECTION: I will feel Death by allowing myself to acknowledge the loss/process the pain by…………..
§ Your Response
§ Stop expecting others to understand
§ Don’t let Grief be your unfinished business
REFLECTION: I will build my Grief Space and allow myself time for silence by……..
§ STAGE ONE – Loneliness/Depression
§ Feeling all alone and depressed
§ Shock/Denial – emotional release
REFLECTION: I will Reflect in my writing or Meditation positive thoughts that can help me find an emotional release by….
§ STAGE TWO – Your Possible Side Effects
– Lack of concentration and Memory loss
– Anxiety and Isolation from others
– Fatigue and Reduced productivity
– Increased accidents and errors – Disorganization
§ STAGE THREE – Your Anger/Hostility
§ Acknowledge your anger and hostilities
§ Panic attacks/anxiety – Guilt/Shame
REFLECTION: I welcome a Grief Partner where my confidentiality will be honored by….
QUOTE: “How happy a person is depends on the depth of his Gratitude.”
John Miller
§ STAGE FOUR – Letting Go to Heal
§ Address the physical symptoms and get active
§ Forgive yourself and seek acceptance
REFLECTION: I will learn to Journalize, identify my Triggers and address them by .….
§ How to Cope – Progress
§ Move along, let the tears flow
§ Allow for times of silence, honor yourself
REFLECTION: I will acknowledge the loss and that I am not 100% by ……..
§ How to Move Forward – Liberation
§ Accept the blessings of the relationship change
§ Know your experience is unique
REFLECTION: I will not rush my Bereavement and be patient with myself and my timeline by……..
QUOTE: “He who forgets the language of Gratitude can never be on speaking terms with
Happiness.”
C. Neil Strait
- How to Search – Answers/Stages
§ Keep the faith, allow time to Heal
§ Believe in you – Gender differences
REFLECTION: I will commit to my Faith and reject Fear as I work at the cost of grief by……..
§ How to Reach Within – Choice
§ Be willing to stop asking “why” – acceptance
§ Don’t isolate – significant dates matter
REFLECTION: I will remember them always as the true impact comes later and it starts with……..
§ How to Move On – Pay it Forward
§ Search for meaning in your loss – give back
§ Be a comfort to others – awareness
REFLECTION: I am willing to Learn to live again by attaching some meaning to the loss through……….
§ How to Grow Beyond – Celebrate a Life
§ Live each day for both of you – senses
§ Open doors when you are ready
REFLECTION: I will show kindness, count my blessings; accept the opportunity of this special time by….
QUOTE: “So much has been given to me; I have not time to ponder over that
which has been denied.”
Helen Keller
Surviving the Death of a Sibling – Wray, T. J. – 2003
The Year of Magical Thinking – Joan Didion – 2005
Connections – Clarke, Jean Illsley – 1999
When Bad Things Happen to Good People – Kushner, Harold – 1997
Hospice of the Valley www.hov.org
Living through Loss www.templechai.com
New Song Center www.newsongcenter.org
Hope for Bereaved www.hopeforbereaved.com
Crisis, Grief and Healing www.webhealing.com
§ P. L. Brooks Seminars, LLC
§ Brooks Goldmann Publishing, LLC
§ www.blog.brooks.goldmannpublishing.com
§ www.plbrooks.com 480-250-5556 patricia@plbrooks.com
§ Faculty Lecturer: Arizona State University – Business
§ President/Founder: Scottsdale Society of Women Writers
Member: AZ Authors Association – 2006 Award Winner
Member: AZ Book Publishers Association
Award Winning Author: Gifts of Sisterhood www.plbrooks.com
Do you need a SPEAKER for your group?
§ Gifts of Sisterhood – a journey on to your own
2006 AZ Authors Association
Literary Contest
Winner– non-fiction category
§ Door prizes for you!!
§ Event price – Gifts of Sisterhood – $10
§ www.plbrooks.com to review FREE chapters of Gifts of Sisterhood
§ FREE one hour consultation on writing or publishing – 2010
THANK YOU for coming – Happy Holidays!