Small Business Knowledge Network w/ Jim Vogel – From Horse and Buggy to AI: The Next Great Business Revolution
- Small Business Knowledge Network
One of the most healing realizations is that grief and gratitude can live side by side. You can grieve deeply for what was lost and still be profoundly grateful for what you had. That complexity is not a contradiction; it’s a testament to your love.
Try saying to yourself, “I miss them every day… and I’m thankful for every moment we shared.” This shift in language is powerful. It allows both sorrow and sweetness to exist together rather than canceling each other out.
Finding Positivity After Loss
Finding positivity after a loss doesn’t mean denying pain or “staying strong” for others. It doesn’t mean putting on a brave face or rushing to feel better. Instead, it’s about creating space to feel both the sorrow and the small sparks of hope that slowly begin to return.
Positivity in grief is subtle. It might look like a moment of calm in the middle of an overwhelming day. It might sound like a song on the radio that makes you smile through tears. It might feel like a sense of peace when you carry out one of their traditions, or the courage to do something new, because they would’ve cheered you on. These moments aren’t signs that you’re “over it” but that love is still present, even when the person is not.
Pain Can Be A Portal to Purpose
Some of the most profound transformations are born from loss. While the pain may never entirely disappear, it can be shaped into purpose. You may find yourself being drawn to volunteer, write, comfort others, or live more fully in honor of the life that shaped you. I’m living proof that my life’s purpose happened after my husband’s passing.
Ask yourself: What do I want to carry forward from their legacy? The answer might surprise you. It could be their sense of humor, courage, compassion, or simply their love for you, which always remains part of you.
A Little Bit Every Day
Healing doesn’t come in leaps—it comes in layers. Choose one small act of self-kindness each day:
These moments matter. When done consistently, they help rebuild the foundation of a life in which grief and growth can coexist.
Surround Yourself with Gentle Support
Grief is heavy, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Whether you find comfort in faith, nature, community, or a support group like Widow’s Den, surrounding yourself with people who understand your heartache can be a lifeline. Telling your story and hearing others helps lift the weight. Connection brings oxygen to the soul.
In Closing: Choose the Light & Positivity After Loss
You are not expected to be “okay.” But you are invited to look for the light, even on the hardest days. That light might come in the form of laughter, a beautiful memory, a friend’s kindness, or your strength.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means remembering with more love than pain. And when you begin to do that, you’ve found a form of positivity no darkness can take away.
You are still here. You are still growing. And your story is not over.
Monica Lucia is the Author of The Final Chapter and a passionate advocate for those navigating grief and loss. She is the Founder of Widow’s Den and Sisterhood of LKN, dedicated to supporting families In addition to her writing and community-building work, Monica is the Grief and Bereavement Counselor at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Huntersville and Denver.
To anyone navigating the loss or supporting someone who is: Widow’s Den is here for you. Together, we turn the page. Together, we begin again.
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