The Grief Journey
If you are reading this blog, I would imagine it is because you have lost a loved one. I am very sorry for your loss. You are about to, or have already started to, take a journey that will make you examine your very existence. It is hard for a person who has never lost a mate, or another close relative or friend, to understand the depth to which your soul may sink. It is as if a part of you has been ripped away and kind and well-meaning words, thoughts, and deeds will not help to lessen its intensity. In fact, you may even shun them, for you want to feel the searing pain in your heart -- just so you know you can still feel something.
What it is hard to realize at the inception of your loss is that his will be a defining moment in your life. You will either decide to just survive by going through the motions of life without the emotions, or you will decide to thrive. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." The important fact here is that the decision is yours to make. You can decide to move forward in your life, or you can decide to wallow in sadness forever.
Please do not misinterpret my words. You should allow yourself to grieve for all that you have lost, including future joys that your loved one will be missing. However, over time you must learn to put your grief in perspective and let it work for you rather than be its slave.
You have learned a very important lesson -- just how short and precious life can be. You can now have a new appreciation of your friends and family and of how important it is to make each day meaningful. Hopefully, this blog can provide support by letting you know that you are not alone in your feelings.
What it is hard to realize at the inception of your loss is that his will be a defining moment in your life. You will either decide to just survive by going through the motions of life without the emotions, or you will decide to thrive. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." The important fact here is that the decision is yours to make. You can decide to move forward in your life, or you can decide to wallow in sadness forever.
Please do not misinterpret my words. You should allow yourself to grieve for all that you have lost, including future joys that your loved one will be missing. However, over time you must learn to put your grief in perspective and let it work for you rather than be its slave.
You have learned a very important lesson -- just how short and precious life can be. You can now have a new appreciation of your friends and family and of how important it is to make each day meaningful. Hopefully, this blog can provide support by letting you know that you are not alone in your feelings.
Posted by LN Gerst at 9/21/2009 9:57 AM 
Categories: Beginning your journey
Tags: thriving loss growth
Categories: Beginning your journey
Tags: thriving loss growth
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