Remembering the Wins

Life is full of wins, losses and draws, and sometimes it’s way easier to focus only on the losses.

In my last blog here, I addressed how important it is to not lose sight of the miracles in our lives. The same is true for life’s little wins.

A week or so ago, I prepared and filed my own income taxes. This is not a big deal to many people, but it was to me. I had never done my own taxes before, my LH was always the one to do it. On top of that, I had always been told by quite a few people in my life that I would never be able to do it.

Well, I did, and I got a decent return on top of it.

Win.

In early 2021, I wrote and self-published my very first book. Later that year, I wrote another one. The second one was a Best Seller in its category for a short time.

Win.

Over the last few years since my introduction into the Widowhood World, I have spent so much time surrounded by the thoughts and memories of profound loss. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even let myself feel good about the little wins I had been experiencing right from the get-go.

Once I did that though, and started doing so regularly, some of the darkness started to lift.

I sold an bought a home, all on my own all within the first six months after Bret’s death. This included a move across the state.

I flung myself right back into the work force, and began supporting my home and family on my own.

I learned to do things that I was never able to do before, like big city, heavy traffic driving. The amount of such that I did before his death was negligible at best.

It’s nothing now. Like, what was all the fuss about before? 

I took control of every single aspect of my own life and the life of our daughter, from the financial, to educational and medical facets of lives in the 21st century.

I even started getting back into shape.

All wins. Every last one of them.

Do I still experience negative things and the heaviness of loss?

Of course. That’s life too.

I just have to remember to not lose sight of all of those precious little wins. And if I had any advice on how to instantly cheer ones self up, it would be to sit quietly for a moment and do the exact same thing.

Even if they are not recent. Even if they are few and far between.

Count your wins right along with your miracles and blessings. We all have them, and they are all valuable beyond measure.

** Mark your calendars! Hope For Widows Foundation’s annual virtual event has returned on Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, 2022! Anyone can join! Whether you are a widow, widower, or a friend/family member showing support or walking in the loss of another family member, everyone is welcome to participate. The proceeds will directly support widows through the annual financial Restoring Hope and Peace Grants, Sunshine Boxes program, and Bring Hope Holiday Assistance Program. Do you have or know a business that would like to sponsor? That’s an option too! To register and frequently asked questions- please go here: widowsofhope5k.racewire.com

About Layla Beth Munk

Layla Beth Munk is a blogger & author who was thrust into this widowhood journey abruptly and tragically on February 11, 2018. Her husband of 12 years had ended his pain once and for all. She soon made the decision that she would not let his final decision define the rest of her life or their daughter’s life, so with her sense of humor at the helm, she started writing about her newfound station in life. Grief waves still get to her, and probably always will, but with the help of her fellow widows as well as friends and family, she has been able to realize her dream of becoming a published author! Layla is so grateful to Hope For Widows Foundation for providing this level of support to her, and so many others! Layla has two amazing children, one who is grown and one who is almost grown. She lives in eastern Oregon and has a wellness & beauty background. Layla enjoys writing poetry, watching anime, and homeschooling her daughter.

Her blog can be found at laylabethmunk.medium.com and her debut novella, 24 Hours in Vegas, is available on Amazon.