## Loss and Grief - It has been one year since the loss of an entire business, forcing a restart from zero [(00:00:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=3s). - years ago, a small direct sales network marketing company was joined, and it was loved and thrived in, with over 10,000 people eventually joining the team [(00:00:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=13s). - The business allowed for a great full-time income, enabling the hiring of family members, including kids, to help with various tasks, teaching them entrepreneurial and technical skills [(00:00:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=32s). - The husband eventually joined the business as well, making it a common interest and goal, until it wasn't sustainable anymore [(00:00:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=45s). - The loss of the business was devastating, as it was the entire identity, community, and life for 13 years [(00:01:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=66s). - The decision to go all-in on the business was made, with the husband losing his job during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and they worked hard to save the company, but it eventually switched to a different business model [(00:01:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=83s). - The change in business model resulted in the loss of over 95% of the income, which was recurring and relied upon every month [(00:03:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=217s). - The loss of the business also led to the fading away of relationships and friendships built over the years [(00:03:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=233s). - The loss of identity was a significant challenge, as being a top direct salesperson in the company was the primary identity for 13 years [(00:04:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=259s). - The stages of grief were experienced after a significant loss, such as the loss of a job, career, or company, which can be a big loss and trigger the grieving process [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=286s). ## Stages of Grief - The seven stages of grief include shock and denial, where individuals may feel shocked, in denial, and think that the situation can be salvaged or made to work [(00:05:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=351s). - The initial reaction to the news can be intense, with feelings of faintness and disorientation, as experienced during a meeting with the company owner at a restaurant [(00:07:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=421s). - The second stage is pain and guilt, characterized by physical, emotional, and mental pain, as well as feelings of guilt and self-blame for the loss [(00:07:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=463s). - The pain of loss can be overwhelming, affecting daily life and identity, and the guilt can lead to thoughts of "what if" and self-doubt [(00:07:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=479s). - The third stage is anger and bargaining, where individuals may feel angry with others and themselves, and try to make deals or find ways to undo the loss [(00:08:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=530s). - It's essential to acknowledge and work through these stages to cope with the loss and move forward, and seeking support from others can be helpful in the process [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=524s). - The seven stages of grief include feeling anger, which is a natural response to loss, but it's essential not to stay in this stage, as it can ruin friendships and relationships [(00:09:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=561s). - Anger can be directed at oneself or others, and it's crucial to have understanding and give others grace during this time, realizing that their anger is often a result of processing their emotions [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=590s). - The bargaining stage involves negotiating with a higher power or desiring to go back in time to change past decisions, which can be linked to feelings of guilt and regret [(00:10:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=627s). - Depression is a challenging stage characterized by feelings of lost purpose, loneliness, and identity crisis, making it essential to be patient and allow oneself time to process emotions [(00:10:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=655s). - Thankfully, the fifth stage of grief brings an upward turn, offering hope and a chance to start rebuilding, although the time it takes to reach this stage varies from person to person [(00:11:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=698s). - The reconstruction stage is a more constructive phase where individuals can think more clearly, work through their emotions, and start rebuilding their identity and sense of purpose [(00:12:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=726s). - The final stage, acceptance and hope, involves acknowledging the new reality, accepting the good and the bad, and giving oneself and others grace for past mistakes [(00:12:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=746s). ## New Beginnings - There is hope for a better life beyond a previous business or network marketing company, and starting from zero can be a beautiful thing, bringing new possibilities and allowing for time to focus on neglected things [(00:13:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=789s). - Starting from zero can provide the opportunity to spend quality time with family, such as children and grandchildren, which may have been neglected due to a busy schedule [(00:14:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=852s). - Having more time for family allows for helping them through difficult transitions, such as teenagers and young adults navigating their goals and aspirations [(00:14:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=898s). - Losing a business can be a gift, freeing up time to focus on truly important things and breaking the habit of being consumed by business [(00:15:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=957s). - Starting from zero can also provide the opportunity to reconnect with extended family, such as visiting relatives who live far away [(00:16:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=969s). - Having more free time allows for re-evaluating one's life spiritually, seeking [[God]], and focusing on spiritual development, which may have been neglected due to busyness [(00:16:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1010s). - Starting from zero can help realize that one's identity should not be solely defined by their profession or business, and that it's essential to focus on one's true identity and purpose [(00:17:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1041s). ## Finding Identity and Purpose - Letting go of a business that has become an idol can be a good thing, as it allows for a focus on what truly matters and finding one's true identity and purpose [(00:17:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1060s). - God should be the main identity, purpose, and meaning in life, and everything else should flow from that, and if priorities aren't right, one might lose everything to learn that lesson [(00:17:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1073s). ## New Opportunities and Focus - Having the right priorities can be a blessing and a gift, and it has freed up the writer's husband to take an 18-month intense discipleship program [(00:18:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1094s). - The writer is also freed up to have friends over, have small group prayer meetings, and pursue other business opportunities [(00:18:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1106s). - The writer's nature and personality involve loving to learn about new business opportunities, trying new things, and seeing building a business as a game [(00:18:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1127s). - As a leader in a network marketing company, it's hard to have time for side pursuits, but now the writer is freed up to try lots of things and has realized that opportunity is everywhere [(00:19:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1176s). - The writer has tried lots of things over the past year and is now narrowing down their focus to a few things, including growing their [[YouTube]] channel and starting a new podcast [(00:20:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1204s). - The writer's main problem is learning how to focus on one thing at a time, and they are still working on that [(00:21:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1270s). - It's okay to experiment, be in limbo, and try different things, and the writer suggests taking the first step in one direction when unsure which direction to go [(00:21:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1292s). - When starting over, it's normal for some opportunities to not work out, and it's okay to move on to the next step, as taking the first step is crucial in determining what will happen next [(00:21:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1312s). ## Gratitude and Growth - It's essential to be grateful for previous opportunities, companies, and experiences, as they have provided valuable skills, communities, and lessons that can be beneficial in the future [(00:22:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1345s). - Being grateful can help shift one's perspective, especially during the stages of grief, and can be achieved by listing down the good things that came from a particular experience or opportunity [(00:22:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1378s). - It's possible to go through various stages of grief, including anger and blame, but ultimately, being grateful and thankful for the opportunity can be a powerful tool for growth and moving forward [(00:23:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1404s). - Losing everything, including a huge network marketing team, can be a challenging experience, but it can also lead to new purposes, identities, and opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise [(00:23:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1414s). - It's a process to find new blessings and purposes, and it may take time, but being open to new experiences and opportunities can lead to growth and a more exciting future [(00:24:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1441s). - Starting from zero can be a beautiful thing, as it allows for a fresh start and new opportunities, and it's possible to get through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side [(00:24:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs&t=1469s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsoThjEXVs)