Embrace Life® Lessons

State Farm offers the following insights on embracing life today and embracing life after tragedy.

Embracing Life Today

Get your financial house in order.  Be honest. Do you know what you have – or don’t – in the way of investments, savings and insurance? Family finances were once considered only man’s work. Today, both men and women need to be involved. Just as your home has rooms for different purposes, your financial plan should have pieces that serve different purposes. And you need to know what’s in them.

Get your family talking about financial preparedness. It’s never easy to talk about the “what ifs” of life, especially illness or death. But being prepared before the unexpected death of a loved one is much easier than in the middle of an emotional situation. Don 't let the daily routine of life put your future at risk. Discuss your dreams with your family, as well as the "what ifs" you fear. Decide how best to achieve your goals and handle the unexpected.

Develop a plan and revisit it often. Take a financial inventory to check if your dreams are covered. You need at least three things: 1) Savings and investments for things such as monthly expenses, college and retirement; 2) Legal documents to ensure your wishes are carried out, including wills, living wills and powers of attorney; and 3) Insurance for life, health and property. Fill in any gaps and reevaluate your plan each year. Update your plan and your policies as your needs and situation change.

Find a trusted financial source. We tap experts for many areas of our lives, but many of us are wary of trusting someone else with our finances.  That’s perfectly  understandable, because personal finance can be so complicated. But that’s exactly why we need the help of professionals we trust to help us navigate the waters safely. State Farm can help you take a financial inventory and determine how best to protect your family, set goals for your future and prepare to meet the inevitable challenges of life.

Embracing Life After Tragedy

Give yourself time to grieve … but find reasons to get out of bed. Just getting through the immediate days, weeks and months after losing a loved one can be unbearable. Simply getting out of bed can be an accomplishment. The grief may stay with you always; it’s different for everyone. But you also need to begin living life again. It’s what your loved one would want most. If you have children, they need you more than ever, and that can be overwhelming.  Focus on taking small steps each day.

Allow friends and family to support you. Recognize that you don’t have to do – and you can’t – do it all yourself. Surround yourself with people who can help you. Turning to friends, family or a member of the clergy for support actually shows your strength, not weakness. People want to help, but often don’t know what to do. If people ask, give them lists; they will accept the responsibility gladly. Even simple tasks can help people feel useful and take the burden off of you.

Get involved in your community. You might think you’re completely tapped out, but giving to others can be very therapeutic. Find ways to help make a difference in your community. Read to children or help people in hospitals or volunteer for a pet rescue organization. Seek organizations that inspire you and can take your mind off your struggles in life. Giving back to others can help you give back to yourself emotionally and physically.

Honor your loved one. Whether it's starting a scholarship, creating a memorial in your loved one's honor or just telling his or her stories to your children, finding ways to remember your loved one will help you move past the tragedy that took place. It keeps the spirit alive. It can help you think of the better times and not all the bad. Make sure whatever you do it's a personal reflection of your loved one.