Wow! I understand that Joe’s timeline ended and mine did not, however I would have never used the word “calling” to describe being a widow. Calling is what happens to men and women who become pastors.
I was intrigued by the concept, and used my Amazon gift card from last Christmas to order the book. (Yes, it is mid-April and I still have an Amazon gift card from last Christmas.)
Appendix 2
Once it arrived I looked at the table of contents and was intrigued by Appendix 2 – The Local Church and Its Widows. Ms. Cornish nails the topic and opened my eyes to a different way of seeing churches (more on that later).
I’ve since started reading from the beginning and a full review of The Undistracted Widow will be published once I finish it.
A Nun Named Maria
Are you a nun named Maria?
Me neither.
Then we are not a problems to be solved.
For some reason we were called to be widows, called for such a time as this. Now how are we going to glorify God in this season of our lives?
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
(Author’s Note: I am late in getting this inaugural Wellness category post published but life, death, job search and a giraffe named April interrupted my plans. This week there will be posts about how I am doing in each area of my life. Hopefully my posts will encourage you to work on the areas of your life. Or after you find out about my life, maybe you will gain a new appreciation for your life. This series will end on March 29th.)
Just Trying To Be Nice?
One of life’s most over used and insincere greetings is
“How are you?”
People ask that question but really do not want to know the answer. All they want to hear is “fine.” They usually are asking the question just to be nice.
8 Key Areas Of Life
However, today we need to get serious about the question “How are you?”
I put them in the order of importance for me as of today. The bottom six fluctuate but Mental and Physical self are always the top two.
Physical Self
Darren Rowse spoke about his physical self in episode #38 of his ProBlogger Podcast.He talks about changes he made and how they impacted his life and blog.
What he has to say applies to everyone and not to just us bloggers. I’ve made a change as a result (there are times my laptop sits on an empty milk crate, so I have to stand).
Must Do This
The condition of your physical self becomes more important after losing a spouse. You need to see your doctor as soon as possible so you have a starting point from which to improve or maintain depending upon your results. When making your appointment inform them your spouse passed away, odds are they will get you in quickly.
One Of The Best Uses Of Your Time
Aside from reading your Bible and doing a daily devotion, the best use of your time today is to listen to Episode 38 of Problogger Podcast.
I wanted to get my book recommendations up early so you have time to review them and plan what one(s) you want to purchase this holiday season. I recommend these books not only for widows but anyone looking to improve their life.
These books
were not written for widows, but everything the author’s say apply to widows.
require a pen, hi-liter, and journal for note taking.
I’ve also shared some video so you can get to know the author a little better.
Enjoy and all of these book links are non-affiliate – meaning I do not get anything in return except undying love and gratitude.
“My Little Buddy”
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief – Martha Whitmore Hickman – Just get this book or give it to someone grieving. It helped me tremendously. It is not geared towards any one denomination and the meditations are short, easy reads.
Northeast Ohio Authors
UnMask: Let Go of Who You’re Suppose To Be and Unleash Your True Leader.– Jeff Nischwitz– This book will challenge the way you think, which for widows is good. Now that your life circumstances have changed, you need to rethink what you are going to do with life and who you are person and professional. Jeff asks the tough questions and his question will rattle around your head until you answer them.
Chapter 7 Exponential Believing (The Possibilities Leader) is the game changer for widows. This sentence really spoke to me.
“You are defined by what you believe is possible, and most people are narrowly or exclusively focused on limits and perceptions of possibilities.” (Kindle location 2358)
You have a new life ahead of you, filled with unlimited possibilities so take the blinders of what you believe is possible. I also liked Chapter 13 Silencing the Stories in Your Head (The Debunking Leader). We all have stories in our head that need to come out and be closely examined so we can move forward through grief.
I read this on my Kindle, but books tend to get lost on Kindles. So I will be buying the paperback and doing a re-read with pen, hiliter and a journal by my side. Highly recommend you do the same.
The one suggestion I have is not to read this book until you’ve made it through the first year of grief. Jeff is a former attorney so his style of writing is formal and professional. I know what my brain was like during the first year and doubt I could have handled reading this book during that time but that is just me.
Interwoven throughout Claudia’s quest to experience 30 perfect days is the story of her marriage – a marriage of ups and downs. There is nothing wrong with this, but for someone fresh in their grief it may not set well. Therefore I recommend this book for seasoned widowsonly. Widows who are 5 years out from the start of their adventure. Widows who remember that marriage is all about good and bad times.
Claudia does an excellent job of taking you with her through her quest and includes thought provoking question at the end of every chapter.
No holiday season would be complete without recommending any one of Lisa Ryan’s books on gratitude. I know it is hard to be grateful when grieving but we are called to be thankful in all circumstances. Lisa’s book will give you practical tips and show you have to be more grateful. There is video of Lisa on her home page. I also have several other books by Lisa and have enjoyed each one.
She is a nationally recognized expert on gratitude and you can sign up to receive her weekly gratitude email on her home page.
Yes, this is a book inspired by Dr. Seuss. It is about going through open doors and as a widow,you now have a lot of open doors to choose from. His book is reassuring in that no matter what door you decided to go through God will use your decision to grow you into a person who reflects His light into the world. God also does use closed doors and bad decisions because He works all things out for good.
Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life With Everything You Have –Annie Downs – You have a new life ahead of you, one you may did not ever anticipate having, but here it is. It takes being brave to move forward through grief and start a new life. Go after your dream. Don’t spend your life waiting to live – life the good life now. God supplies all your needs, now get out there and craft your new life.
When I am feeling down, weary and wiped out this is the speech I listen to because even I need a pep talk about being brave.
You can not go wrong with any book written by Holley, I’ve read several of her books this year and find each one to be very caring, nurturing and uplifting.
Final Thoughts
These are my recommendations for this holiday season. I hope you will purchase at least one for yourself or a friend.
Have a blessed holiday season and I will see you for 1 more post next week before my holiday break.
Don’t forget to check the Holiday Helps 2015 pagefor articles and websites to get you or a grieving loved one through this season. It was updated on 11/16 and will continue to be updated as I come across more resources for you.
JoyReturns 
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