| Just hours after learning that her mother had died of | | | | see you do well. Joannie's exquisite performances, |
| a sudden massive heart attack, Canadian figure | | | | and the standing ovations, said it all. You can tell |
| skater Joannie Rochette was back on the ice. One of | | | | others about your intentions and create a strong |
| the favorites to win an Olympic medal, she practiced | | | | reality that will motivate you. The initial goal is to |
| her jumps over and over again while her father | | | | uncover the courage to begin. Re-establish routine in |
| watched with tears in his eyes. | | | | your life, both at work and with family. Set new long |
| Joannie's fellow athletes concurred that she was | | | | range goals and short term objectives. Enlist your |
| doing the right thing by staying in the competition. | | | | staying power. Your positive experiences will give |
| They spoke about her inner strength, remarkable | | | | you the incentive to continue. Although there may be |
| courage and determined attitude. Fans around the | | | | stumbling blocks along the way, never give up. |
| world appreciated that, with a heavy heart, she was | | | | 5. Listen to others but primarily rely on your own |
| facing the most difficult skates of her life. If, like | | | | instincts. Joannie believed in what she was doing and |
| Joannie Rochette, you are in shock or have been | | | | concentrated on the competition. She felt that she |
| numbed by an unexpected loss, what follows are | | | | was where she belonged. That's what her mother |
| some tips that may help you begin to turn your | | | | would have wanted her to do. What is familiar can be |
| upside down world right again: | | | | calming - have faith in what you are doing to heal. |
| 1. Take control of what is within your reach. Joannie | | | | Realize your hidden internal strength as you trust |
| had the drive to win for her mom. She kept herself | | | | yourself and look inside for answers. Emotional |
| emotionally insulated, and the fact that she is a | | | | discomfort can be an opportunity and serve as an |
| superior athlete helped her succeed. You, too, can | | | | invitation to grow. |
| keep going, no matter how hard it is. Identify your | | | | 6. Increase your capacity to be resilient. It must have |
| strengths and make them work for you. And have | | | | been extremely difficult for Joannie to maintain her |
| the wisdom to know the difference between what | | | | composure and grace under these circumstances. |
| you can manage and what you cannot. | | | | Just as she has, take it one day at a time. Begin to |
| 2. Relish the support that comes from those who | | | | develop strategies to manage stress and release |
| care about you. Joannie's loss resonated for athletes | | | | tension. And you can call on your faith or spirituality |
| and fans alike. And everyone in the Pacific Coliseum | | | | Step by step, you will be able to turn your hopes |
| was cheering her on. She said that all the love and | | | | and dreams into reality. |
| support made it easier to give her best. Recognize | | | | In both programs, with not much sleep or energy, |
| that family and friends want to see you succeed and | | | | Joannie hit the ice with determination. She proceeded |
| will be there to help sustain you. You can also find | | | | to skate what turned out to be her personal best |
| comfort in your spiritual community, a therapist or a | | | | during the most trying time of her life. She felt as if |
| bereavement group. You do not have to do it all | | | | her mother was there helping her. Skating through |
| alone - make the decision to ask for help whenever | | | | her emotional pain, she won the bronze medal. |
| you need it. | | | | Joannie was stunning on the podium - responding to |
| 3. Face your uncertainty with the best attitude you | | | | the cheers of the crowd, smiling as she wiped away |
| can muster. Despite the unthinkable, Joannie still | | | | the tears. Hers was a symbol of a poignant victory, |
| maintained a single-minded focus in the skating | | | | and she touched the emotions of people across the |
| competition. And now she will be able to grieve her | | | | globe. |
| loss. You cannot change what has happened but you | | | | In the news conference, Joannie repeated that her |
| can have some control over the way you handle it. | | | | mother was her greatest fan and her death a |
| Of course, you may be feeling angry, sad or afraid | | | | monumental loss. Just like for her, you may feel that |
| of what is to come. Be aware that your reactions | | | | you are standing alone on the biggest stage you |
| are normal and common. And try to face them | | | | have ever been on, carrying the weight of losing |
| directly as you work through your feelings. | | | | your very foundation. But you too can get back on |
| 4. Make a public commitment to those who want to | | | | the ice and skate like you never have before. |