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Helping the Next Generation
Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For combines real-life stories with practical, actionable advice for readers to use when planning for their own deaths and estates. What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I wrote this book after suffering the loss of my mother and son to suicide and my husband to a broken heart after the death of our son. Since, hopefully, I am the next in line to go in my family, I wanted to research and work to make sure my children and grandchildren were emotionally prepared for my death. After quizzing my family and friends about their feelings about death and their preparedness for their own death, I believe that most of us are not prepared. By getting ready for the time when we will no longer be in this world, setting our survivors up for success, and minimizing the conflict, complicated grief, and aggravation (when they have to get rid of our stuff or can’t find our important papers) they suffer, we can show our love to them beyond the grave.
I found part three, “The Death Prepper’s Workbook,” especially meaningful in drawing attention to the discussions that need to be had. Have you considered expanding this into a stand-alone workbook to help others with planning for the future? If so, what else would you include to help readers with this process?
Actually, I have already written a stand-alone workbook and will be presenting a seminar to my church next week. I hope to get two versions, one secular and one faith-based, soon. With the workbook, I want to include envelopes to hold our birth certificates, marriage certificates, titles, etc., so that everything will be in one place. Our children will thank us!!!
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For?
I hope that readers understand that we all have a purpose in life: helping the next generation to succeed and thrive when we are gone.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Part One encourages us to focus our lives on building positive legacies such as love, peace, trust, education, and hard work. We will meet incredible people who have lived lives full of hope and resilience and have passed these traits on through multiple generations.
Part Two examines the process of death itself and asks the question: “Is death a grim or gentle reaper?” The fascinating research on near death experiences and life after death is explored with the understanding that this topic yields different beliefs.
Part Three is a workbook to help us prepare our loved ones for a life lived without us. It includes a complete checklist and discussion of traditional legacy documents such as a will, health care directive, and password record as well as an emotional life insurance plan to psychologically help our loved ones survive and thrive in a time when we are no longer
physically present with them. The workbook includes handy templates to encourage us to write legacy letters, reconciliation letters, and even a letter to help our survivors understand the mourning process.
Don’t wait to get ready. Our graduation from life comes unexpectedly. This book will help you be prepared to graduate with honors.
What’s your legacy?
Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For
Are You Ready? by Kimberly Harms delves into the profound subject of living life meaningfully and preparing responsibly for its inevitable end. The book blends motivating personal stories with practical advice, encouraging readers to aim high while ensuring they leave as little burden as possible on others. For example, it shares anecdotes like that of Louise and Big Al, who supported their daughter’s theatrical ambitions and a consistently cheerful and efficient Northwest Airlines porter.
The narrative also includes Harms’ experiences, adding a personal and emotional layer to the book. She shares the sorrow of losing relatives to suicide yet draws strength from these tragedies to foster personal growth and resilience. This personal connection humanizes the broader topics discussed and enhances the book’s impact on its readers. Harms addresses the often taboo topics of death and preparation with clarity and logic, arguing for acceptance over fear.
The book is structured to guide readers through various preparations like decluttering, writing wills, and having crucial family discussions. Such content is designed to inform and prompt action, making the book a practical guide for those looking to organize their affairs. Interwoven with these practical elements are stories of extraordinary individuals and diverse themes, including art, mentorship, and healthcare directives. One particularly memorable story is that of Reme, who survived the Rwandan genocide by hiding in a tiny wood bin for nearly three months. These narratives add depth and a wide range of emotional and experiential layers to the book.
Are You Ready? is a compelling mixture of life-affirming stories and essential life-planning advice. It educates its readers on significant, often overlooked aspects of life preparation, from understanding the differences between wakes and funerals to embracing the full spectrum of human experiences. Kimberly Harms’ work is a commendable resource for anyone looking to enrich their life’s journey and prepare thoughtfully for its conclusion.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B0CHG23HD5
Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For
Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For by Dr. Harms tackles the profound yet often unspoken aspects of life’s journey—legacy, mortality, and the lasting impact we hope to leave. This work is an introspective guide that delves into the intricate dance between life’s beginning and end, acknowledging the chaos and beauty that define our existence. Dr. Harms addresses these themes with grace, articulating the dualities of love and pain, joy and sorrow.
In her exploration, Dr. Harms defines what legacy means by sharing compelling narratives of individuals who have turned adversity into opportunities for growth and compassion. These stories not only inspire but also challenge readers to reflect on their own legacies and the marks they wish to leave on the world. Dr. Harms embraces a variety of belief systems, emphasizing their validity and the universal truths that connect humanity—the cycles of birth and the inevitability of death. This book pushes the reader into sometimes uncomfortable but necessary contemplations about proactive legacy building, which can alleviate the burdens of uncertainty and grief for loved ones.
Dr. Harms encourages persistence, her writing style imbuing a sense of resilience and urging readers to continue despite discomfort. What sets this book apart is Dr. Harms’ compassionate and relatable storytelling. She injects her own experiences into the narrative, providing comfort and guiding readers towards making essential life decisions. Her gentle yet effective nudging is designed to move you from contemplation to action, leaving readers grateful for the encouragement to take proactive steps in legacy planning.
Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For is clearly a labor of love, reflecting Dr. Harms’ commitment to thoughtful writing and genuine connection with her audience. Her message is poised to resonate with anyone pondering their impact on the world, making this book a valuable read for those seeking to understand the importance of crafting a meaningful legacy.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B0CHG23HD5
Suddenly: A Widow’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Healing
Grief is an invariably complex emotion, universally challenging yet deeply personal. This sentiment is at the heart of Suddenly: A Widow’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Healing, where the author, Danell teNyenhuis Black, confronts the sudden loss of her husband. The book opens on a day like any other, except it culminates in a life-altering tragedy: her husband’s fatal cycling accident. This event propels her into the uncharted territory of widowhood, forcing her to adapt to new responsibilities as the sole parent and provider for her daughters.
Black’s narrative is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and resilience. She delves into the intricacies of her marriage, painting a vivid picture of a love story that began in school and flourished over the years. The couple’s distinct personalities and shared history are brought to life, creating a tapestry of memories that is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Throughout the book, the importance of family and community support is emphasized. Black candidly shares the challenges she faced in the aftermath of her loss, offering a raw and honest depiction of her journey toward healing. Her resilience in the face of adversity is notable, as is her ability to find happiness again and help others who have experienced similar losses. Black’s writing style is engaging, seamlessly weaving humor with moments of deep emotional insight. The book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming grief.
Suddenly: A Widow’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Healing is recommended for readers who appreciate personal, heartfelt stories. It offers a blend of inspiration, humor, and poignant reflections on love and loss that will resonate with many. Whether it brings a smile or a tear, Black’s story is a compelling reminder of the depth and resilience of the human heart.
Pages: 343 | ASIN : B0CSHFXFGN
Mess and Magnificence
Living All In: How to Show Up for the Life You Want is an inspiring and motivational book that helps readers transform their lives and develop strong self-confidence skills. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Thank you for that question. My coaching clients were my inspiration for writing Living All In. Watching client transformations and knowing the grit they apply to their growth during our work together, is rewarding for me. It inspired me to write the transformative coaching tools in a book that is available for readers beyond my clients.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It is important for me to share with others that they are not broken and do not need fixing. Our personal development journeys begin from where and who we are right now. We can bring our mess and magnificence to the growth process. I also wanted to share how to create a mindset that serves the reader. We all know it is a good idea to think positive thoughts. I wanted to explain how to do that with practical tools. The tools I’ve laid out in Living All In will help people create narratives, labels, and a focus that serves them, then dump those that don’t.
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With so much essential information and advice in your book, what is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
That I get what I focus on, so focus on what I want, not what I don’t want (because if focused on, I’ll get that too)!
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am writing another coaching book. This one focuses on addiction and will be available in 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Living All In gives you the tools to tap into your resourcefulness, embrace an empowering mindset, and move to action. Board-certified coach Chris Janssen, MA, BCC, shares what she’s learned, personally and from her clients, then places the keys to a life you love in your hands.
In this transformative guide, you’ll discover:
Strategies to identify and overcome unhelpful narratives you may tell yourself.
Techniques and tools to cultivate a positive mindset.
Inspiring success stories that showcase the healing power of embracing change.
In Living All In, you’ll learn to think thoughts that serve you and dump those that don’t, because you are magnificent—and you deserve the right to decide how you feel, and show up for the life you want!
Chris Janssen is a board-certified life coach with a master’s in counseling psychology who has helped hundreds of clients, successfully and sustainably, move forward with a mindset that serves them. In 2021 and 2023, Brainz Magazine named Chris one of the Global Top 500 Influential Leaders for her accomplishments in mental health and dedication to helping others. For more, visit http://www.chrisjanssencoaching.com
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