Antoinette M. Alexander
Life happens, now what? "Having direction and the motivation to grow to the next level is essential when facing life-changing events."
Growing through a grieving journey allows you to become unstuck from the cement boots of grief and begin to thrive, as you move into the next phase of life.
(1)(1).jpg)
Antoinette M. Alexander
What do you do when life happens?
I used three steps to navigate through my life altering events.
The death of a loved one is unique. One thing I've learned is that death is hard on the living. Working through the process of the three action steps of accepting, acknowledging and taking positive action assisted me in growing through my mother’s death.
This process would later provide growth for me through the death of my first husband and brother. Growing through a grieving journey allows you to become unstuck from the cement boots of grief and begin to thrive, as you move into the next phase of life.
Antoinette M. Alexander
About Antoinette
Antoinette (Toni) M. Alexander is an author and inspirational speaker. Her books include topics on grief, relationships, leadership, physical and mental healing. “Mom’s Dying? Encouragement for the Journey”, her first book, provides a process that will encourage anyone going through any type of a loss.
Toni has served in leadership roles in various Fortune 500 companies in Northeast Ohio. She is currently a production manager in operations with a financial institution. Toni is also an Adjunct Professor at Kent State University teaching leadership courses. Toni earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the University of Akron and holds a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan. Toni is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has served on the Advisory Board and as a volunteer for Hospice of the Western Reserve.
She is the Co-Founder of Positive Works, LLC, an organization created to foster life enhancing talents through leadership training and practical craft skills development. She is the facilitator for the “Is There an Author in You?” workshops. Toni has been a keynote speaker for community programs on grief, supporting victims of crime and has appeared as a guest on several radio shows and podcasts discussing the topic "Growing Through Grief." Toni enjoys taking walks and watching sunrises and sunsets.
The most enjoyment is obtained when spending time with family and friends. Toni is married to her childhood friend, Michael. Their paths reconnected after 32 years of separation.
Antoinette M. Alexander
Antoinette's Talks
Growing through a grieving journey allows you to become unstuck from the cement boots of grief and begin to thrive, as you move into the next phase of life.
Talk One
Growing Through Grief
Getting unstuck from the cement boots of grief using three action steps to help you thrive in life. How we respond and move forward during very painful times in our lives impacts our well beings. We have a choice to grow through and not just “go” through the changes. We may experience both exciting and emotionally draining times simultaneously because life occurs in parallels as well as perpendiculars. When we connect with other people, we make life happen. If we focus hard enough, we are able to see some miracles as we go through some of our most challenging times.
Three action steps to assist you with becoming unstuck:
-
Accepting the death has occurred.
-
Acknowledging your feelings about the death.
-
Taking positive actions to work through the grieving process
Talk Two
Overcoming Obstacles
What do you do when life becomes difficult? Getting to know your strengths, your weaknesses and finding a support system may be important factors in moving to your next level in life.
Three simple steps that I use as a blue print to encourage you to thrive, simple does not mean easy.
-
Discovering the event has occurred.
-
Exploring your feelings about the event.
-
Moving forward with positive actions.
Talk Three
Reasons for Rejoicing
A message of hope to encourage people who have lost a loved one. Holidays bring about extra challenges for people who have experienced the death of a family member. We should find reasons to celebrate life. Memories are powerful reminders of the love we shared.
Learning to do the following brings about a fresh season in life.
-
Celebrating the memories
-
Acknowledging all levels of the relationship.
-
Making moves towards the future.
Antoinette's Books
Mom’s Dying?
Encouragement for the Journey
December 2010 marked a new phase in life. This book is birthed from a series of life altering events, affording me the opportunity to tell a story with truth and compassion. It is written to encourage you through challenging experiences. The second edition continues the walk...sharing memories and accepting changes.
MOVING FORWARD: Taking Time to Love Yourself
​
We take time to do so many things for others, why not take the time to love ourselves? Life may lend itself to various opportunities to interact and intercede for our friends and family. Sometimes, we need to allow ourselves to slow down as we move in a new direction. MOVING FORWARD: Taking Time to Love Yourself is a collaborative writing sharing how we made changes in life after mental and physical illnesses, deaths and murders; to actively move in a healthy direction during our struggles. We hope this book will assist you in moving forward, while loving yourself along the way.
It’s A Process: Navigating Turns in Life
​
It has become more evident how the culmination of an event ends the event. It does not end the activity of processing the lessons learned and navigating a new landscape; it begins a new process. How we adjust and work through the process can build character and doubt. Our adjustments can create enemies and friends. It can cause tears and laughter; strengthen and weaken our faith. Life is a continuous process. Building blocks of joys and sorrows are placed upon our foundation. Our responses to the process in life is the legacy of our life, catastrophic and or well lived. This book is written as an encouragement through navigating those turns.
NEW MORNING NEW MERCIES
Thankful For Today
Cancer came into our lives unwanted and uninvited. We chose to become more emotionally, spiritually and physically intimate as the disease progressed. I remember sharing with Bennie from the time we were married, we needed to make as many memories as possible. One day one of us would need that store house of memories, that bank account of priceless treasures, to hold on to once the other was gone. The 27 years of our marriage went by very quickly. NEW MORNING NEW MERCIES is a reminder as life changes, remember to “keep living” and be Thankful for Today.
DEUCES: Marriage Twice is Nice
Author: Antoinette M. Alexander
This book is written to celebrate the excitement and acknowledge the uncertainties as the contributors and I begin a new life after the death of a marriage or the death of a spouse. Laughter and tears resonate on the pages of our lives captured in a point in time on this canvas. I invite you to travel down memory lane as well as enter the new corridors of hope and happiness with us. We open our hearts to you as we learn to smile and love again.
Antoinette M. Alexander
Antoinette's Testimonials
Toni Alexander's episode on "Bereaved But Still Me" has been the standout highlight of our podcast this year. Her profound insights into grief, coupled with her relatable journey, make her an exceptional speaker who truly understands the complexities of living with loss. I highly recommend Toni Alexander as a speaker who not only tops our charts but also leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
Anna Jaworski
"Bereaved But Still Me" Executive Producer
As someone who works with grief and victims of crime on a daily basis, the topic never gets easy, but Toni made our audience feel her compassion and journey. I never realized that “grief is hard work and can require a plan.” Thanks for providing an empathetic message with great direction and instruction to survivors who now have the cheat sheet to Growing through Grief.
Gwen Davis
President & CEO - ICONS
Antoinette M. Alexander
Let's Connect
Life happens, now what? Direction and motivation to grow to your next level when facing life altering events.
Email: speaker@toni-alexander.com