91. Navigating Grief with Dr. Sherry Walling

<p>This week on the podcast, I talk with Dr. Sherry Walling about how to find wholeness after loss and the ways you can support your team to overcome grief. You’ll learn how to offer connection and provide a glimmer of hope in the midst of sadness.</p> <p> </p> <p>With Rosh Hashanah right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about some of my family’s cherished High Holiday rituals.</p> <p> </p> <p>We light candles while reciting meaningful prayers. We savor challah bread dipped in honey. We try out new activities. </p> <p> </p> <p>These treasured rituals bring us together to celebrate the New Year and create a special sense of connection among my family. </p> <p> </p> <p>Rituals have the power to ground us during holiday celebrations. </p> <p> </p> <p>But rituals aren’t just for celebration. They can also serve us when we’re experiencing grief and loss.</p> <p> </p> <p>Rituals are a powerful tool that can bring you peace and help you navigate a loss—either a personal one or a collective loss experienced by your school community. </p> <p> </p> <p>Whether it’s the death of a colleague or saying goodbye to a favorite family who’s leaving your school, you can create a special ritual to honor them and acknowledge that they will no longer be present at your center. </p> <p> </p> <p>It’s so important to acknowledge any loss because avoiding it will only cause more shame and suffering for everyone. </p> <p> </p> <p>As the school leader, you play a key role in helping your staff navigate the inevitable ups and downs of your center. And I want to support you in that journey. </p> <p> </p> <p>We’ll also take a look at the importance of understanding your own capacity to listen. You’ll learn when and how to defer a conversation to another time when you can be completely present and listen fully.</p> <p> </p> <p>Join us for a conversation about: </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Understanding why avoiding the loss is worse than confronting it</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recognizing