Paisley Strong
Blog Posts
Articles and musings on what it’s like to be a widow, stories of acceptance, healing, and hope for right now and in the future, and guidance through our L.I.V.E. framework.
How Art Heals
Engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years.
L.I.V.E. Intensive Experiences, Wyoming Edition
I always leave the retreats feeling uplifted and like I made another “shift” in my journey as a widow.
The most wonderful part of the retreats is how loved and cared for I feel.
—Suzanne Milani
Books, Books, Books
Next time when the hours loom long and large, see if any of these books become friends.
And if you are the supporter of a widow, volunteer to read them with her.
A Prescription for Nature
Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in the woods, or simply spending time in a garden, the healing power of nature is a valuable resource for enhancing well-being.
Putting the Pieces Together
Paisley Project’s greatest contribution is offering hope for those women who didn’t believe that life could ever be as good as it was before.
And I now know that it can.
Ten Years On, and Just Beginning
All of this has been more meaningful and impactful than I could have ever imagined. I would never have wished for the accident that widowed my sister and took away a father from her four children. I would never have wished widowhood on any of the amazing women I’ve come to know and love.
But I am grateful nevertheless. Because the past ten years have brought us here, to this place where we finally have the confidence to know that what we do makes a difference.
How I Learned to L.I.V.E.
In a world where grief is often a hush-hush topic, we vowed to change the narrative. . . . Our road was full of twists and turns, mixed with moments of trial and error. Looking back, I zig-zagged my way through the L.I.V.E. process, crafting my very own journey.
Could You Open My Jar of Pickles, Please?
A guest post by Paisley Project member, Diane Farris! We appreciate her willingness to share her story and what she has learned.
TEARS IN MY TRUCK
Know this: love endures beyond absence. Missing someone doesn’t diminish your capacity to heal or thrive.
Stepping Forward to L.I.V.E
[T]here is something for you and you are something for others . . . it could be your silence or your words; it could be your tears or your laughter; it could be your heart and soul and spirit; it could be your hands that help or hug or create or stay folded; it could be what you have never thought about; it could be what stirred in you before now awakened out of dormancy; it could be a springboard to who knows where…
Wintering into the New Year
We don’t have to abide by the timelines of our culture. We can choose to respond to grief—and a New Year—in a way that feels the most supportive and meaningful for us. There isn’t anything magical about things happening on a certain date.
The Habits of a New Identity
How to develop a new identity after loss: Look at your habits.
