Paisley Strong Blog Page
Articles and Thoughts for Widows and Supporters
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Articles and Thoughts for Widows and Supporters ⚘
The Paisley Strong Blog offers reflections on all areas of widowhood and grief, as well as some suggestions for the supporters of widows.
ABOUT OUR AUTHORS
Karyl McKendry,
Paisley Project Founder
“Although I never considered myself a writer, I am committed to shedding light on the experience of grief and loss from its raw, ugly beginnings, all the way through to its redemptive moments. I talk about the science of grief and loss, about how coaching contributes to healing, about travel, food, nutrition, exercise, and what I’ve learned on my own journey.
Barbara Allen Burke,
Paisley Project Content Director
“My goal is to be able to come alongside widows with respect, support and whatever help I can offer. I try to do this by providing information and resources that might shed light or bring hope. As a writer and a mixed-media artist, I am particularly interested in the benefits of creativity for healing.
Meet Michelle: Embracing Coaching to Navigate Widowhood
As I started to shift my thoughts from loss to life, things started to change. Something in me was different and I started to believe that it was possible to be happy again. After all, I had been through the unimaginable. I survived the worst and made it to the other
side. Once I gave myself permission to have a new life, gradually I felt different, stronger and wiser. I let go of the need to figure everything out and instead let my intuition, heart and soul guide me.
Paisley Pillars of Healing
Research shows that these activities transform grief into resilience and our six Pillars of Healing are embedded in every activity and program we offer. Each on its own provides relief and supports a widow’s well-being, providing a stable, grounding place to rest. Combined, they hold space for healing, like then pillars of a building hold up the roof, containing and describing an open protected space within.
How Art Heals
Engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years.
L.I.V.E. Intensive Experiences, Wyoming Edition
I always leave the retreats feeling uplifted and like I made another “shift” in my journey as a widow.
The most wonderful part of the retreats is how loved and cared for I feel.
—Suzanne Milani
Books, Books, Books
Next time when the hours loom long and large, see if any of these books become friends.
And if you are the supporter of a widow, volunteer to read them with her.
A Prescription for Nature
Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in the woods, or simply spending time in a garden, the healing power of nature is a valuable resource for enhancing well-being.
Putting the Pieces Together
Paisley Project’s greatest contribution is offering hope for those women who didn’t believe that life could ever be as good as it was before.
And I now know that it can.
Ten Years On, and Just Beginning
All of this has been more meaningful and impactful than I could have ever imagined. I would never have wished for the accident that widowed my sister and took away a father from her four children. I would never have wished widowhood on any of the amazing women I’ve come to know and love.
But I am grateful nevertheless. Because the past ten years have brought us here, to this place where we finally have the confidence to know that what we do makes a difference.
How I Learned to L.I.V.E.
In a world where grief is often a hush-hush topic, we vowed to change the narrative. . . . Our road was full of twists and turns, mixed with moments of trial and error. Looking back, I zig-zagged my way through the L.I.V.E. process, crafting my very own journey.
Could You Open My Jar of Pickles, Please?
A guest post by Paisley Project member, Diane Farris! We appreciate her willingness to share her story and what she has learned.
TEARS IN MY TRUCK
Know this: love endures beyond absence. Missing someone doesn’t diminish your capacity to heal or thrive.
Stepping Forward to L.I.V.E
[T]here is something for you and you are something for others . . . it could be your silence or your words; it could be your tears or your laughter; it could be your heart and soul and spirit; it could be your hands that help or hug or create or stay folded; it could be what you have never thought about; it could be what stirred in you before now awakened out of dormancy; it could be a springboard to who knows where…
Wintering into the New Year
We don’t have to abide by the timelines of our culture. We can choose to respond to grief—and a New Year—in a way that feels the most supportive and meaningful for us. There isn’t anything magical about things happening on a certain date.
Make A Donation.
Our mission is to provide essential tools and resources to support women to survive, heal, grow, and thrive after the loss of their husbands, while also mobilizing the widow’s own support network.
Paisley Project is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the state of Colorado.
All donations are tax-deductible.
EIN #47-1052225