donna ashworth – Still Unfolding with Stacy Hawkins Adams

The Wisdom of Grief

Three years ago around this time, someone I cared for deeply entered hospice and a weeklong end-of-life process that was dignity-rendering, yet leaking with sadness.

I stood the course with my beloved older brother on his journey toward death, knowing that he would want no pity, and if possible, he would have been spitting wisecracks at every turn, while declaring that life is to be enjoyed and celebrated.

With that in mind, as we race toward Christmas, or celebrate Hanukkah or countdown to the New Year, I share this wisdom borne from losing someone dear (in particular during the holidays) to remind us that one of the best ways to honor our loved ones is to keep on living, and to do so with intentional joy and hopefulness.

Here are a few ways that I’ve personally leaned into:

Love on yourself more, just because.

Tell others what they mean to you while you can (I have and I regularly do).

Cry when you feel like it.

Laugh every chance you get.

Forget about yesterday’s grudges.

Love those who love you back.

Be kind to those whose rudeness often means they need more kindness.

Challenge yourself to leave everyone better than you found them – with what you say and what you don’t; by how you share and where you set boundaries; and by giving with no expectation of reciprocity.

Let your heart break. The only way through grief is through.

Say Thank You – for everything.

Because every breath you take, every day you get to experience, and every person who crosses your path is in some way a gift.

Let’s stay connected… If you’re not already on my author email list (which is different from this blog post subscription), now’s a great time to join me in both places! In addition to my occasional blog posts here, on every Monday I send a brief message of encouragement straight to your email inbox—and you’ll be the first to know about my TV appearances, events and everything Still Unfolding. Subscr ibe here .

When You’re Still Becoming

You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re exactly where you need to be. A reflection on the power of “yet” and trusting your unfolding journey.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “yet.”

As in: “I’m not there yet.”

We use it apologetically, don’t we? As if being in the middle of our journey is something to excuse. As if the space between where we are and where we want to be is a gap that diminishes our worth.

But what if “yet” is actually the most hopeful word we have?

When you say, “I’m not there yet,” what you’re really saying is: I’m still becoming.

You’re acknowledging that your story isn’t finished. That there’s more ahead. That the best chapters might still be unwritten.

“Yet” means you haven’t given up. “Yet” means you’re still in motion. “Yet” means possibility is still alive.

Your story isn’t finished.

Your best work might still be ahead of you.

The person you’re becoming is still taking shape.

And that “yet”? That’s not a deficit. That’s a promise.

You’re not there yet.

And that means you’re still becoming.

Keep going.

💛 Stacy

I’m Curious: What’s something you’re not “there yet” on—but you’re trusting will unfold in its own time? I’d love to hear. Leave a comment below, then follow me on Facebook or Instagram for more frequent connection and inspiration. Let’s remind each other: We’re all still becoming.

Gratitude is an Attitude You Can Define

For every opportunity there is to complain,

hold a grudge,

or judge without knowing the whole story,

there is an equal opportunity to

let go, adapt and expand.

Be grateful for experiences that can

strengthen your wisdom and empathy,

and help you grow in grace, joy and hope.

You are the best possible person to be you – no need to imitate or compare yourself to others or judge their life’s journey.

Be grateful to be alive and to able to try your best another day.

Release and Receive

In these first few days of November, consider releasing what no longer serves you.

Those unhelpful habits or outdated clothes? Let them go.

That doubt, fear or hesitation? Bid it goodbye.

Those dreamcrushers in your circle or wishy-washy connections? Bless and release them.

And then?

Since the clutter has been released, may you appreciate the beauty and boldness of purpose within you, and embrace all the good your mind, your heart and your arms now have the space to hold.

I Almost Turned Back

While traveling to Guatemala City for a work-related trip about six weeks ago, I almost turned back.

An expected five-hour layover in my connecting airport on my travel day in early July turned into an additional 11-hour flight delay. This meant I spent 16 hours roaming the airport (before the airline eventually cancelled the flight altogether, just after midnight).

Amid the waiting to see when the flight would leave came news that a fairly significant earthquake had rumbled through the country 24 hours earlier.

While my colleagues who are based in Guatemala were moving forward with business as usual (small earthquakes are the norm; this bigger 5.7 magnitude one didn’t rattle them), I was wondering whether the delays and the shaking earth were signs to reschedule the trip.

Just as I had that thought, a team member who was traveling separately to meet us there let me know she had boarded her flight. When I asked her if the doors had closed and her “yes” meant she couldn’t quickly deplane, I took that as a sign that we were all meant to trust our faith (so grateful for the prayers that were surrounding us!) and our Guatemalan colleagues’ assurances that all would be fine.

I decided on a Plan B for a quick departure if necessary, and we moved forward.

Within an hour of landing the next day and meeting our calm-natured colleague “A,” and being escorted to our hotel in the heart of Guatemala City, I knew we’d be okay.

A few days later, when we reached the beautiful city of Antigua and were greeted with gorgeous views of the mountains and a “behaving” live volcano, and warm-hearted people that included other wonderful colleagues, my U.S.-based team and I nodded at each other: Pushing through the delays, the uncomfortable unknowns of what awaited us, and keeping our storytelling mission top of mind had paid off.

The gift of these views and the meaningful connections made, even before our formal work began, had stretched us.

We grew individually, bonded as a team, and grounded ourselves in the mantra our organization’s leader often utters: We can do hard things well.

The overarching reminder for me as a person of faith? God really does have His hand on us at every turn, and even in stressful times, His presence is evident, if we’ll look for and recognize the signs.

The overarching lesson/reminder for my team and me?

When you persist through whatever challenges you may encounter, there are often rewards beyond measure on the other side of your yes.

We’ll never forget the beauty of the people, nor the place, nor the power that comes from the PUSH (Persisting Until Something Happens). I believe each of us is better because of it.

Stacy Hawkins Adams in Antigua, Guatemala

Decide

Right now…

Decide you’re worth it and make the most of this week before you.

Ask the hard questions that will get you closer to the authenticity you seek to embrace.

Live the soft life that will give you experiences and memories to cherish.

Push a new boundary.

Pull yourself up from whatever has weighed you down.

Hold onto goodness.

Let every thing not good for you find other settling places.

Share this post with a friend or two who’ll join you on this journey to better.

Then decide to do it –

breath by breath,

choice by choice,

step by step.

You’ve got this!

Push Through

This week, consider this assertion: There’s so much waiting for you on the other side of fear, loss or setbacks.

Don’t you see it over there – waving at you? Beckoning you? Smiling at you?

All you need are your boots for walking, curiosity and courage to enjoy the journey, and your authentic willingness to fully experience what’s calling.

Now, I know that’s much easier said than done – I’ve been there!

Yet, what I also can assert is that as you start telling yourself the right story, and believing it, you can also start doing those things (or stop doing those things) that will help you achieve what you are longing for.

Give yourself a chance. You are without a doubt worth it.

Start (again) today and keep becoming. That’s the best way to win at being you.

Reasons to Say Thank You

Take some time throughout this day to pay attention to the simple things….

The sound of a bird chirping or a baby laughing;

that funny meme that landed in your text thread

or the brief check-in call from a friend;

The hug from your teenager or toddler,

or email from your mentor;

the wind gently swaying in the trees,

and the taste of your favorite ice cream.

The thoughtful compliment,

the genuine smile,

the words of encouragement arriving at just the time you need them.

Nothing is as random as we may think;

yet even when it feels that way,

we get to say thank you.

Follow Your Flow

Entering a new week and winding down the month of October offers you a chance this week to reflect, refocus and renew your commitments to you.

Remember who you are and Whose you are,

and respond accordingly to today’s opportunities

to love, serve, be on the move,

or be still and know.

Because when you know more,

you do indeed grow more;

and as you know and grow,

you bless others so sincerely

with your overflow

that you find yourself

doubly blessed in the process.

Pay attention and you’ll witness the ways!

Celebrating The Pivot

A year ago in October, I independently published the tiniest book ever, in hopes that it would make a huge impact on its readers.

I purposely sized this single-poem chapbook (The Pivot) approximately 4×3 so it would fit in purses and pockets, to be carried along and read as needed in moments that call for encouragement.

I picked a specialty paper for printing, so that its readers would experience the book itself as a gift, featuring words of resolve they would be personally invited to live.

So Happy 1st anniversary to my first-ever published poem, The Pivot!

And thank you to readers across the nation who have shared how this poem has breathed life into you during challenging days and dared you to dream bigger on courageous ones.

Thanks to the event organizers who have purchased copies for your speaker and audience gifts and to the women who have ordered books for your sister circle retreats or as group-themed birthday presents.

Thanks to the owners of REDDJobb, an independent bookstore in Charlotte’s Carolina Place Mall for asking to keep copies on hand for your patrons and to the organizations that have invited me to deliver presentations on its themes.

To readers everywhere who have endorsed the book, thank you for sharing with me how the poem has personally impacted you. Sometimes when our own words escape us, those penned by others can carry the message our hearts long to convey.

Because of its specialty design, The Pivot is only available through my website (rather than the usual online retailers) at StacyHawkinsAdams.com.

This may keep me from making faster sales; however, for now, it feels right to personalize the experience as a self-care gift as much as possible. If Hallmark or another publishing entity wants to help strategically scale it, call me!