Please don’t let others dump on you.  Because of our grief, we are vulnerable to what others say and do.  Sadly we turn a blind eye to the toxic people in our lives, believing them instead of seeing what they are doing to us and stopping them.  The truth of the matter is that some friends and family members will keep dumping and dumping on you if you do not speak up for yourself. Widows who don’t speak up can find themselves in trouble because they didn’t take control of the situation and speak up when they had enough.  We widows are overwhelmed and before we know it our lives are overflowing with too much to do, too much heart ache and way too much misery. Now it’s true you don’t have to have a major meltdown, but you do need to tell people when to stop.  If something is not working for you, if someone is doing or not doing what you need, you better take control of your life and be the one who says, “No More”. Your life is too precious to leave in the hands of someone else.  You cannot expect someone else to take care of you.  Others may advise you, but never allow their opinions to outweigh your own. Empowerment begins when you take control of your life, don’t be silent.  You need to speak up and be heard.  You must decide what you will and will not take on.  You must focus on what’s important and dismiss the nuisances in your life. If others are dumping their problems on you, lift your head, raise your voice, and speak out, “No More”. Mary Francis