Sustainable Wellness: A Memoir of Loss, Perseverance and Resilience

What I learned over 25 years of processing grief is that in order to persevere and grow as a person, you need flexibility, an open mind, patience and acceptance. Every time I thought I had tackled grief and moved on with my next chapter of life, grief struck again. It took about ten years to figure out how my brother’s death served a purpose in my development, and then I completely avoided thinking about the purpose when my dad died. When my mom got sick, I thought about the purpose a lot. Over time, my self-awareness and insight increased as I persevered through each loss to find my purpose in life and build resilience. Writing was my first attempt at learning how to understand my world as a teenager when my brother died. A career as a psychologist certainly helped when there was a need for introspection, and my dedication to running helped clear my mind and keep me grounded. Meditation has brought peace to my mind and body, and my relationships to others provide nurturing when needed. I have used the six domains of wellness to provide meaning and understanding throughout my life to overcome setbacks, and I have embraced the strength of the resilient women who came before me. I hope that telling my story helps others to find meaning in their life no matter what obstacles they might face as they continue to strive for Sustainable Wellness. Read more