New Beginnings: Facing Loss and Finding Your Passion

Grievous losses are an inevitable part of life we will each face, sooner or later. The pain of separation due to deployment. The loss of personal identity in advanced Alzheimer's disease. Life stolen away too soon by cancer's wrath. Financial havoc due to illness, disability, or death. Jean Bota has made it her life's mission to assist hurting people in the process of self-discovery and renewed hope. 

With 33 years in the banking industry, Jean has witnessed and counseled people through some of their darkest times. "Change comes with a range of emotional responses, defense mechanisms and deep emotional states," she says. "Change brings profound questions: Who do I see? How can I navigate this change? What will I do? How do I initiate the change?"

In 2001 Jean experienced the sudden death of her husband which took her on a path of self-discovery and into a deeper spiritual awareness. Her loss transformed her, intensified her spiritual life, and awakened her; resulting in a return to college to further her education. It assisted the opening of creativity and restoration of self-confidence. As her losses became mingled with her education, she came to realize that many in the world had lost compassion and concern for others. She saw rational, logical and packaged formulas for coping with loss, which created a disconnect between individuals and their emotions. She felt compelled to develop new strategies; ones that recognized transitions are as natural as night and day.

Jean Bota says, "there is no beginnings and no endings, just adventure in life. As human beings we also experience changes in our lives; many anticipated and some sudden and unpredicted. One has to live those feelings of loss to truly understand the effects they have on individuals." Join us in this episode to dig deeper after loss. Isn't it time to find your passion and find the real you?