The Power of Honesty in Widowhood
Your honest word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions.
Power in Honesty
Your honest word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions.
“Promises are easily made. Keeping them often proves more difficult because when we are pressured to strive always for perfection, we find it simpler to agree to undertake impossible tasks than to say no. Likewise, there is an infinite array of circumstances that conspire to goad us into telling falsehoods, even when we hold a great reverence for truth. When you endeavor to consistently keep your word, however, you protect your reputation and promote yourself as someone who can be trusted. Though your honesty may not always endear you to others — there will always be those who fear the truth — you can nonetheless be certain that your integrity is never tarnished by deceit. Since frankness and sincerity form the basis of all life-enriching relationships, your word is one of your most precious and powerful possessions.
When we promise more than we can deliver, hide from the consequences of our actions through falsehoods, or deny our true selves to others, we hurt those who were counting on us. We also are hurt by the lies we tell and the promises we break. Integrity is the foundation of civilization. As you cultivate honesty within yourself, you will find that your honor and reliability put people at ease. Others will feel comfortable seeking out your friendship and collaborating with you on projects of great importance, certain that their positive expectations will be met. If you do catch yourself in a lie, ask yourself what you wanted to hide and why you felt you couldn’t be truthful. And if life’s surprises prevent you from keeping your word, simply admit your error apologetically and make amends quickly.
Since the path of truth frequently represents the more difficult journey, embarking upon it builds character. You can harness the power of your word when you do your best to live a life of honesty. In keeping your agreements and embodying sincerity, you prove that you are worthy of trust and perceive values as something to be incorporated into your daily existence.”
Shared with you written by Daily OM 4/11/24
Recently, I was reflecting on the profound journey of widowhood, it struck me how society navigates the vows of 'Til Death Do We Part.' The reality of widowhood brings about a maze of misconceptions about what comes after and how to navigate the path forward.
In a conversation I had with a lead pastor from a large church in Wilmington, North Carolina, about enhancing support for widows, his confusion was evident. He wondered why widows couldn't find solace in singles' groups or receive adequate support from women's groups led by married women/ volunteers.
In that moment, an unexpected yet profound thought emerged:
"If society places marriage on a pedestal, then surely, widows deserve recognition for not only keeping their vows but honoring them beyond death's parting. Widows are women of fulfilled marriage and commitment promises; promise made, promise kept, promise honored”.
This realization was a first for me, shedding light on the unique position widows hold. Particularly, in sharing our honesty with others in how we see the world now.
We, as widows, are neither simply 'single again' nor still 'married' in the conventional sense. We have navigated our vows to their fullest extent, and our status as widows is a testament to a promise fulfilled. It's a role we never sought but embody with a blend of resilience and grace, wishing for greater acknowledgment and understanding from those around us. We hope to share the wisdom gleaned from our experiences with women across all stages of life, from singlehood to marriage.
In honoring the love we shared and the legacy it leaves, we forge new paths and identities, forever influenced by the love lost yet never forgotten.
Suggesting that we, as widows, should join singles groups, akin to those my unmarried daughters might attend, might seem logical initially. However, the heart discerns more than what meets the eye. In our case, It has matured, brimming with insights and lessons valuable to others. My aspiration is that, in time, this wisdom is more widely recognized and shared by more widows, enlightening our communities.
This leads me to why we established the HOPE, HEAL, GROW, and LEAD programs at Modern Widows Club. Drawing from comprehensive research, potentially involving many of you, we chose in 2021 to offer resources and services grounded in honesty—your honesty with us.
Initially, we created the Widow Empowerment Quiz, a 15-minute assessment tool designed to offer you a truthful means of evaluating where you stand in your journey through widowhood. By taking this quiz, you'll gain clarity on whether you're in the HOPE, HEAL, GROW, or LEAD stage. More than 10,000 widows have participated, providing us with genuine insights into your experiences. We're grateful for your openness and honesty.
STEP ONE:
STEP TWO:
Based on your current stage, we've tailored resources to help you progress and evolve. For those in the HOPE or HEAL phases, you'll be subscribed to our email newsletter appropriately titled, HOPE & HEAL, which offers ongoing support and guidance over several months. This resource comes directly to your inbox, ensuring you have access to the information you need, when you need it, without the hassle of searching for it. Take the quiz and if you are in hope & heal, you will be gifted this resource.
For those navigating the GROW or LEAD stages, we provide additional resources like e-courses, designed to empower you with the confidence to take charge of your life or to mentor other widows within the community. The possibilities for growth and contribution are endless, and we aim to be your beacon of guidance and support on this path. You may want to sign up for our HOPE, HEAL, GROW ecourse bundle (use the discount code WISTER- LOVE to receive 50% off the month of April) or take our free LEAD ecourse to further your empowerment journey.
As you begin these life-changing courses, remember, you're in good company. Our initial findings from the Widow Empowerment Quiz revealed that most participants are navigating through the HEAL and GROW phases (MWC Research: Data from the first 1939 widows who completed the WEQ). Many widows leave grief based programs, and step into our programs to rebuild their life in many areas. *We're now extending our research to include insights from 10,000 widows, deepening our understanding of the journey.
At Modern Widows Club, our mission is to debunk the myths surrounding widowhood and instead, focus on the realities as shared by you. Utilizing this research, we're crafting solutions that directly address your expressed needs and desires for widow support programs and services. There's unparalleled value in a community of widows candidly voicing their honest needs and aspirations.
One of our greatest purposes is to amplify your voice, transforming the collective journey of widowhood. It happens when you are honest with us.
My core belief has always been that every widow deserves recognition and respect as an integral member of their family, workplace, and community. Our goal is to level the playing field in terms of support and access to resources that unlock your full potential in this phase of life. By eliminating obstacles, we aim to help you evolve into your most authentic self, encouraging the sharing of your unique wisdom as a widow.
The world is in greater need of the qualities that many widows embody—compassion, bravery, empathy, kindness, insight, and the richness of your life long experiences.
- Carolyn Moor
Founder Modern Widows Club *My newest Interview in Bold Journey Magazine.
Get Involved with MWC- thank you for supporting our vital work to empower widows to thrive!