While there is plenty of personal work to do on our journey toward post-grief optimism, 

creating together is essential for expanding our understanding and commitment to adaptation. 

I collaborate with individuals and groups to explore and elevate our ideas about what comes next. 

If you are also facing the future with your eyes and heart wide open, I would love to connect with you! 

¨My daughter had died suddenly of cancer, and I gained custody of my two granddaughters, then ages 2 and 4. I was still grieving from the loss of my husband the year before, and had a stressful job as a social services director. I was completely overwhelmed.

Maya showed me that I could help other custodial grandparents. I had worked with many in my job, and now I truly understood their challenges. 

In our session, it became clear that I could start by creating support groups within the agency I worked for. I really enjoyed helping other grandparents, and decided I was ready to start my own organization. 

Within a few months, I quit my job to expand my services to grandparents abroad. This allowed me to work at home, where I can spend time with my precious girls. 

I would have never managed this without Maya´s help. Her mentorship changed everything for our little family.¨ 

¨I turned to Maya after a young woman in Beirut was severely injured while reporting on the street near my home. I was heartbroken. As a former war correspondent here years ago, I knew I wanted to help these brave new reporters protect themselves from harm. 

Maya encouraged me to partner with one of my former conflict-experienced colleagues to offer free training and mentorship to street correspondents. The work they do in bearing witness and creating informative videos for social media and news sites is crucial for Lebanese citizens and the world. 

Maya´s support has been invaluable. I am grateful to do my part to help these committed citizen reporters stay safe.¨

[NOTE: I have lost touch with Rana since the recent bombing of Lebanon began.] 

¨Our city was destroyed. My son and I fled to Poland. As a psychologist, I recognized the severe trauma that all war refugees were experiencing, but I was terrified to try to help anyone. I felt too fragile. I feared I would be overwhelmed by their grief. 

Maya helped me to see that I could use my grief as my power. I had empathy and the skills to guide others through this unimaginable misery. 

I started a free clinic for Ukrainian mothers here. Working with them has helped me to heal myself each day.

Now, I have brought my remaining family members here, and I support them through the work I do with private clients. Although the horrors continue, we focus on caring for each other and finding small everyday joys.  

This is the most deeply fulfilling work I have ever done. I am so thankful for Maya´s kindness.¨

¨My clients (farmers) were suffering. They had lost crops due to floods, tornadoes, and other weather events. My heart ached as I watched them struggle to recover. 

I wanted to encourage them to replant at least some of their acreage using regenerative farming techniques. But these were conservative older men. I was afraid they wouldn´t be interested, and would even lose respect for me.

Maya coaxed me into talking to my two most loyal clients. After a frank but respectful conversation with them about their losses and options, they were relieved! Their adult children loved the idea, and became highly engaged in the process. They worked together, learning side by side, resulting in a deeper relationship and a shared commitment.

I now focus on regenerative farming only. It has been  exhilarating as well as successful. I thank Maya for giving me the courage to move forward with this!¨

¨The architecture firm I worked for was acquired and moved everyone abroad. I stayed here, where my entire family lives. But, as a single mother, I needed to find work, and there were others vying for the limited roles nearby.

Maya helped me to see what I truly wanted. I had designed a tiny home that was built on my property for my mother. Having her so close has truly enriched our lives, and I wanted to help other families bring their loved ones closer. 

I had my first client within two weeks of working with Maya! 

My consulting company has lovely women employees. We have a flexible schedule and cover for each other, as we all have children at home. Each day, I look forward to talking to our team and meeting with clients. I thank Maya for giving me the right push to believe in myself.¨