Hannah, for anybody who is listening to this episode and they really want to take unintentional step forward, what would you recommend that they do in the next 24 hours?

I would encourage them to connect with a truly safe person. I just really think they're, I cannot underestimate that. Just having a safe space to connect with, to share what's really going on in your head and heart, really share, like really lean in and share with them. But I would also have them start to be aware of how they're coping. Sometimes our coping mechanisms for grief really exacerbates our pain. We think in the short term that it's helping us, but it's actually hindering us. And so just being aware of their coping mechanisms, I think could be a really powerful and helpful thing. And again, I've noticed that at this full time, but along just creating that self-care, creating those boundaries, I think that would be really good for them. If they're leading in their grieving, I would encourage the same things. But if they're leading and they're not grieving, be that safe person for somebody else. Find ways to be the kind of person that people know they can come to if they are going through something hard. Find ways to be that person who people know won't judge them. And I would say, listen with love. I would say lead with your heart and not your head. And remember the truth that we're all grievers. We're all going to encounter grief in our life. So how do you want to be treated when it's you going through those experiences? Treat those in your community with the same love and care and respect, especially for the grieving person. Now find somebody that you can talk to and share with them vulnerably and get help. Even if it's me, I'm out here. I love you. I can support you too. But just find somebody that you can really share your burdens with because it's really hard to share them alone.

We are not going to solve anybody's grief in the episode. That's not the purpose of this conversation. But I think it's just to talk out loud about some of the experiences that are wrapped up in this complexity of grief. It's not simple. It's not linear. It's messy. There are going to be moments when you lose yourself in the grieving process. And you forget who you are. And so I just want to encourage everybody that to keep talking about this and to keep leaning into safe spaces and places, speak into somebody's life right now. That's going through an incredible amount of grief. What do you think they need to hear right now?

I want you to know that you are cared for and that you are seen and that you are not alone in your pain. You are loved. I just want you to know that grief is hard and your grief is your own. And that's okay and that's good and it's normal and it's natural what you're going through. But don't give in to what other people expect of you. You just process how you need to process. You feel what you need to feel. Let your grief happen. Grief is part of our human experience. I know that even Jesus experienced grief, meaning it is fully human and he was the fullest human. And so if even Jesus can experience grief, then we too can experience grief and know that it is okay. It's not wrong. I believe that grief in the long run can be good and can be beautiful because it points us to the one who can fix it. And I truly believe that that's Jesus Christ. And so I would just say that you are loved. You are seen. It's okay for you to be going through what you're going through. You are not

alone. God somehow always brings it around that when we make it through something, we are so well positioned to then help other people make it through what they are currently going through and just remind people that the story is not over and it's a painful story. But the story is not over as tough as this chapter may be that God is still writing more chapters in your story and the story is not done. As we finish up this episode, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry for what you have been through and who you have lost. I hope this episode has encouraged you in a small way. In the episode bio, you can find contact information if you want to reach out to Hannah Walker about grief support or grief coaching. And there will also be a list of resources for grief support and recovery. Make sure you screenshot this episode and share it with someone. Post it to your social media accounts. Don't forget the tag me so I can give you a repost. I know there is someone who you know who needs to hear this episode about leading while grieving. Thank you for sharing, subscribing and rating the podcast. Seriously, that means the world to me. Look for new episodes to release every month. You won't want to miss those. Thank you for taking the time to invest in yourself. You are worth it. Remember, the best time to rise and lead is now.