Navigating Grief While Living Life

Navigating Grief While Living Life

There are moments in life that test our strength in ways we never expect. For me, this season has been one of them. For the first time in my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve had to navigate the loss of a loved one — my uncle — while continuing to lead, serve, and show up in both business and life.

This experience has been different from any other type of grief I’ve known. My uncle’s passing happened so suddenly that it left my heart and mind spinning. We found out in August that he had a heart condition, then lung cancer, which quickly spread to other organs. The chemo that was meant to help triggered pneumonia and sepsis, and within a week, he was gone.

It all happened so fast. And in the stillness after, I found myself thinking deeply about life, purpose, and how we keep going when life changes forever.

The Weight of Reality

At 41, I’m the eldest of my siblings, and this loss brought a new awareness of what the next chapters of life may hold — aging parents, caretaking, making difficult family decisions, and watching the ones we love transition.

At the same time, the world didn’t stop. My kids still had activities. My clients still needed support. My business still had deadlines and deliverables.

I found myself asking:
How do you keep showing up when your heart is heavy? How do you give yourself space to grieve while still honoring your responsibilities?

Finding Peace in Positive Moments

The first thing I learned was the importance of focusing on the positive memories. My uncle was one of my biggest encouragers. Even while in the hospital, as soon as I walked into his room, he smiled and said, “There goes the best publisher in the world.”

He always affirmed me. Always pushed me forward. And I know without a doubt that he wouldn’t want me to quit. He’d want me to continue walking in my purpose.

So instead of dwelling on the loss, I’ve chosen to celebrate the life — to focus on the laughter, the wisdom, and the legacy of love he left behind.

Leaning on Faith

When I didn’t know what to do with the emotions, I leaned into my faith. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven — a time to be born and a time to die.”

That scripture has anchored me. It reminds me that we all have an appointed time, and while we don’t know the day or the hour, we can trust God’s timing.

My uncle lived a full, fruitful life. He was a minister who poured into others and served faithfully. Remembering that — and trusting that his transition was peaceful and in alignment with God’s plan — helped me find comfort amid the pain.

The Story of David

I also think about the story of David in the Bible, after the passing of his child with Bathsheba. Scripture says David grieved deeply, but once the child transitioned, he washed his face, changed his clothes, and went back to living.

That doesn’t mean he didn’t care. It means he recognized that continuing to mourn wouldn’t change what had happened.

In the same way, I allow myself to feel the grief — to cry, to sit quietly, to pray — but I also remind myself that I can’t stay there. Healing requires movement, even if it’s slow.

Continuing With Purpose

I’ve learned that honoring a loved one doesn’t mean stopping your life; it means continuing in a way that reflects their impact. For me, recording this podcast — even through tears — is part of that process.

I can still cry. I can still feel the pain. And I can still move forward.

Staying stuck in sadness would dishonor both my uncle’s life and the purpose God has placed on mine. My work, my family, my calling — they’re all extensions of gratitude for the time we shared.

So I choose to show up. I choose to honor the seasons of life. I choose to keep living fully, even when my heart feels heavy.

For Anyone Navigating Grief

If you’re reading this and walking through your own season of loss — whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or a version of yourself — I want you to know this:

You can grieve and still grow.
You can cry and still create.
You can honor the past and still move toward your next.

Grief is not the end; it’s an invitation to feel deeply and to live with even greater intention.

With love,
Jasmine Womack
The Published and Paid Podcast

🎧 Listen to this full episode: Navigating Grief While Living Life (Episode 65) 

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