Author Archives: ancarroll

Grief 101: Does grief follow the same pattern for everyone?

In short, No. More evidence for the “grief is unique” discussion is that grief manifests in various patterns, further confirming that we can’t (and shouldn’t) tell others that we know exactly what they are going through and that we have the perfect solution to “fix” them.

Monday Meditation: Call for a Do Over

Every once in a while, we yearn for a fresh start.  We may, however, hear that fresh starts are for the young…or someone without kids…or singles…or just not us. Remember the days on the playground when we called for a “do over” because of some unforeseen interference in our play? Where did that habit go?

Monday Meditation: One Day, One Thing.

To change the movement of your path, you just need to take one step each day. These steps don’t have to be big, they can be as small as you would like. The point is to take them. Grief can and will feel overwhelming when we overthink its presence and let it accumulate a cloudContinue reading “Monday Meditation: One Day, One Thing.”

Christmastime 2019

A couple of weeks ago, I was walking through Trader Joe’s doing the weekly shop. My baby girl was sleepily bouncing along in her Baby Bjorn as I strolled the aisles. It was just after Thanksgiving and about two weeks before Christmas. Holiday items were out for sale and I was just beginning to thinkContinue reading “Christmastime 2019”

2019 Avon Holiday Gift List

It’s well past the time to consider gifts for the holidays. I am a bit late in getting my gift guide out; nevertheless, better late than never as they say. I’ve curated a selection of Avon items below. I’ve included self-care items as well as items that can be considered memorial gifts. Whether you areContinue reading “2019 Avon Holiday Gift List”

Monday Meditation: The Role of Pain

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. -Khalil Gibran Loss comes with pain; emotional and physical. Unfortunately, it is part of the process and we cannot get around it. Often, we seek ways to avoid the pain, to numb ourselves to it. Some distractions are healthy, others not. While theContinue reading “Monday Meditation: The Role of Pain”

Monday Meditation: Certain Change

There is nothing permanent except change. -Heraclitus We are slowly approaching the new season and the new year, the changing of our calendar. Each year we either look toward these changes with excitement or with trepidation. Regardless, change comes. We can count on very little in life to be predictable, except change. We may notContinue reading “Monday Meditation: Certain Change”

Thanksgiving Meditation: Give.

For it is in giving that we receive. -Francis of Assisi We discuss gratitude quite frequently at this time of year, of giving thanks for what we are grateful to have. What if we take time to focus on the later part of the holiday’s title: Thanksgiving. In giving to others we are able toContinue reading “Thanksgiving Meditation: Give.”