The Art Of Codestiny Sheryl Sandberg CEO

By Ann Allen


At some time in life, most individuals experience a loss. Whether that be the loss of a loved one, friendship, relationship or job. When it comes to the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, the feeling can be overwhelming. That is what happened to CEO Executive and Lean In and expert in the art of codestiny Sheryl Sandberg when her husband passed suddenly while on vacation in 2015.

In 2015, Mr. Goldberg died suddenly and unexpectedly while on vacation in Mexico from a heart attack. It was an event that devastated and destroyed Ms. Sandberg. As a result, the businesswoman decided to document the emotional journey as part of the grieving process. As a result, the businesswoman and author now shares that experience in a book titled Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy.

One main point the author makes is that why people can eventually move forward in life, grief never goes away completely. Although, while sadness remains, it can and will get better with time. According to Sheryl, the title of the book is based on a Facebook post written shortly after the loss during the first 30 days of grief.

While most people would rather a loved one be present after death, this is not an option. As such, Sheryl calls this Option A. Whereas, Option B allows for others to substitute or sit in for the lost loved one. As Option A is not available, then Option B becomes the only possibility. So, after using Option B as a mantra, Sheryl began to face the adversity head on in the realization that nothing could replace that which the businesswoman had lost.

As with the first book Ms. Sandberg authored which was a best seller in 2013, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, the new book also has an online counterpart. Ms. Sandberg is donating all proceeds from the book to OptionB.org, which is a nonprofit initiative of the Sandberg family foundation. The organizational website and online discussion forum works to help individuals build resilience and discover meaning while going through adversity.

Whether facing a hardship due to the loss of a loved one, friendship, relationship or job, it can often be important to find support. In many cases, there are groups in most areas which provide ongoing support groups related to these type losses. Most often, these groups are listed on social networking websites and through a number of social service platforms.

According to Ms. Sandberg, in the beginning phases of grief, most feel like life will never get better after the loss of a loved one. In fact, Sheryl and many others often feel that nothing, regardless of all the support of friends and family can make one feel okay ever again. Even when others who have experienced a loss tell those new to the grieving process it will get better, it can be difficult to believe or process those statements.

It should be noted that while this is the case, there is no set amount of resilience which individuals are born with, something a psychologist once told Sheryl while going through the process. Ultimately, each person is different and it can often take some longer than others to move through the grieving process.




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