Dealing with Grief: Understanding and Coping Together
Iconic Cares| 2024 End of the Year Posts
Good morning, Icons,
We want to thank you for being with us all 2024 long. Many things have happened this year with life, death, health and more. Yet, you remained with us.
Over the next few days, we only have three more posts for you and then, we will be taking a break until 2025.
Today’s newsletter will talk about grief and the ways you can cope going into 2025, the next post will be about Christmas wishing you and your family a happy new year and we will end 2024 with a yearly wrap-up of all our newsletters.
If you would like to show appreciate or get ready for our new podcasts episodes coming in 2025, consider upgrading to Iconic+ to gain access and listen to replays to get caught up.
Iconic Marriages Holiday Packages
Our Goal: $575 Today to Support Iconic Medical Fundraiser
We aim to raise $575 to support my medical costs as I am suffering with Granumaltous colitis or severe Crohn’s colitis with ulcers in my large intestine. This disease causes abdominal pain, affects what I can eat, causes cramping and join pain. Your donations will help me with the numerous doctor visits, high medication costs and therapy.
The Importance of Our Mission
Iconic Marriages was created in 2022 to offer a Christian conservative solution in the marriage space by bring positive uplifting stories, sound marriage advice and practical relationship wins to this space often plagued by dehumanizing rhetoric, unnecessary debated and unhelpful commentary.
With your help, we’ve produced content that inspires, uplifting and reinforces the God given blessings that can come from a healthy marriage.
But America is at a crossroads. With communities ready to rebuild their families, it is tough out here in the marriage and dating space. So, we aim to link up with federal contracts to expand our work nationwide to get out materials in the hands of the most vulnerable.
This is my God given call.
How Your Support Helps
The more funds we raise, the more we can do for our community through Iconic Marriages. Here's how your contribution can make a difference:
Local and Online Workshops: We can offer free workshops to couples, providing them with valuable insights and tools to enhance their relationships.
Public Book Signing Events: These events can foster community engagement and provide a platform for sharing experiences and learning from one another.
Producing Our First Cookbook and Children's Book: With additional funding, we can create resources that cater to families and help them grow together in love and understanding.
Expanding Our Podcast: More episodes mean more opportunities to reach couples with advice, stories, and inspiration from experts in the field.
Join Our Season of Giving
This Christmas Season, we're calling on you—our community, supporters, and friends—to help us reach our goal. Your donation, no matter how small, can make a significant impact.
How to Donate:
Visit our donation page
Share our mission with friends and family
Follow us on social media and spread the word
Together, we can make this Thanksgiving a season of gratitude and growth. Thank you for your support and for helping us create a brighter future for marriages in Georgia and beyond.
To show our appreciation for your generosity, we have a variety of donation tiers with exciting rewards when you click the link above or upgrade your subscription:
$10: Receive a digital copy of "Mrs. Pinky's Thoughts" eBook.
$25: Get our brand-new eBook “The Iconic Formula for Marriage Success”.
$40: Receive a printed copy of our new book.
$45: Get a printed and signed copy of our new book.
$50: Iconic plus yearly newsletter.
$100: Access the Iconic Marriage eCourse.
$150: Get 5 printed paperback copies of our new book
$200: Our entire 6 book print collection.
$250: Receive all 7 of our books in their printed formats.
Bonus: All levels come with our upcoming book, “Dating with Purpose”, the first Iconic guide for our singles or currently unmarried couples to push you towards an Iconic marriage.
Special Offer: Donation Bundles
For groups, large organizations, or community leaders who want to strengthen marriages in their areas, we offer special donation bundles. These bundles are perfect for spreading the message of healthy and successful marriages within your community.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Your support means the world to us and to the couples and families who will benefit from these resources. Together, we can make a lasting impact and empower families to build stronger, healthier relationships.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Let's continue to work together to achieve our goals and spread the message of love and commitment.
Dealing with Grief: Understanding and Coping Together
A lot has happened to my family this week. My aunt Mary will be buried tomorrow, I got devastating health new update and the weight of it all is weighting on my mind.
I thought of all of you. Are you struggling right now? Has something happened in your life that you have no control over: death, divorce, financial situations, natural disasters? How are you doing? I pray for you and yours.
Grief is a challenging and complex emotion that everyone experiences at some point in life. It's important to understand the different types of grief, how it can manifest, and effective ways to cope. Whether it's grief over a lost loved one, a lost relationship, a lost sense of ability, or lost opportunities, knowing how to navigate these emotions can make a significant difference.
Types of Grief
Loss of a Loved One: The emotional and physical reactions to losing someone close can be profound and varied. Common stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
End of a Relationship: The end of a relationship can lead to feelings of loneliness, betrayal, and confusion. Processing these emotions is crucial for healing.
Loss of Physical Abilities: Adjusting to changes in bodily abilities due to illness or injury can be emotionally challenging. It often requires support and adaptation.
Missed Opportunities: Unfulfilled dreams and missed opportunities can lead to sadness and regret. It's important to find new paths and goals.
How Grief Can Manifest
Grief can affect us in various ways:
Emotional Reactions: Anger, guilt, sadness, relief, and numbness.
Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and physical pain.
Behavioral Changes: Withdrawal from social activities, forgetfulness, and increased substance use.
Social Impact: Strained relationships, dependency on others, and avoidance of social interactions.
Resources for Dealing with Grief
Navigating grief is a personal journey, and having the right resources can make a significant difference. Here are some recommendations:
Books:
"On Grief and Grieving" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion
"Option B" by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Podcasts:
"Griefcast" by Cariad Lloyd
"Terrible, Thanks for Asking" by Nora McInerny
"The Grief Relief Show" by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore
Other Resources: Grief counseling, support groups, and online communities can provide additional support.
10 Ways to Support Someone Grieving
Listen Actively: Be present and listen without offering solutions.
Offer Practical Help: Assist with daily tasks and errands.
Be Patient: Understand that grief has no set timeline.
Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge their emotions without judgment.
Encourage Self-Care: Suggest activities that promote physical and emotional well-being.
Respect Their Needs: Allow them to grieve in their own way.
Stay Connected: Check in regularly and offer ongoing support.
Share Memories: Talk about the person or relationship they lost.
Encourage Professional Help: Suggest therapy or counseling if needed.
Be Mindful of Anniversaries: Recognize important dates and offer extra support.
A Personal Note
As many of you know, I am currently experiencing a significant health challenge with a Crohn's disease. I appreciate your patience and understanding as I focus on my healing. Also, tomorrow we bury my Aunt Mary Harvin. I cannot express how hard this is, but I know she is going home to be with the Lord. While my family and hers is grieving, we ask for your support and prayers at this time.
Ways to help
If you would like to support Iconic Marriages during this time, you can subscribe to a paid subscription or donate directly to help cover medical expenses. Your support means the world to me and my family.
Donate directly:
Thank you for being such an incredible community and for standing by us through thick and thin. Let's continue to support each other and prioritize our health and well-being, especially during this holiday season.
Our Sponsorship Packages: Promote Your Brand with Iconic Marriages in the New Year! 🌟
Hello Icons,
Iconic Marriages is offering Sponsorship packages designed to help you promote your brand, non-profit, personal business, or content creation website. We believe in building strong partnerships and helping our community thrive.
Choose Your Sponsorship Tier
We offer three affordable sponsorship packages to suit your needs:
$25/Month: Get a dedicated spot in one of our newsletters each month.
$50/Month: Secure a featured spot in one of our podcasts each month.
$150/Month: Enjoy recurring promotions tailored to your specific brand.
Talk to us in messenger for what your organizational needs are at this time.
Why Sponsor with Iconic Marriages?
Reach: Connect with our engaged and loyal audience through our newsletters and podcasts.
Visibility: Increase your brand's visibility with strategic placements and mentions.
Community Support: Show your support for a community that values strong relationships and personal growth.
Special Offer for Bulk Orders
Do you know a church, religious organization, or any group that would benefit from bulk book or eCourse orders? Let us know! We offer special rates for bulk purchases, making it easier for organizations to access our valuable resources.
Get Started Today
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Purchase your tier below.
Our Iconic Sponsors: Spotlight
We extend a heartfelt blessing to our Icon sponsors for their monthly contributions and donations to our iconic endeavors. Their support enables us to provide free online newsletters from Monday to Friday, develop new digital products in 2025, and distribute free books to the public each month via Twitter.
Subscribe today to their newsletters and purchase/preorder their newest books.
Greg Bulla of Walter, Whatever will be, will be | Looking at old memories with family and friends. This is a fiction novel that is just the beginning, as Walter, his family, and friends make memories that last Order your copy of Walter, Whatever will be, will be From Amazon.
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