If you are old enough to love...
People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Happy Tuesday beautiful hearts! Today I decided to write about a topic that has interested me since I was a young woman; grief. Grief work was pioneered by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, as she introduced the 5 stages that one might move through. Her work has been expanded upon and the torch has since been carried forward by many others. Last weekend I had to finish up credits for my counseling license and I chose a seminar by David Kesslar, entitled "Grief and Grieving." One of the sentiments that David continually uttered during this on-line training was, "If you are old enough to love, you are old enough to grieve." This sentiment really hit home for me and it transported me back to my first loss.
When I was 14, my grandfather died. It was Mother's Day and we had a party at my parents house to celebrate this special occasion. I watched a man I loved with all of my heart tumble to the Earth from a massive heart attack. I remember feeling stunned, unsure, angry, grief stricken; like a river would pour out of my soul. At the time, I did not find the gift of his passing, but as I have been able to reflect on his loss, my heart is honored to have been with him physically during his transition. Throughout my life I have been with many family members and friends as they have passed. Although there has been a great labor on their physical bodies, the spiritual connection has been other worldly.
So why grief today? To me, grief is simply part of the journey; one that cracks our hearts wide open each time it happens. I don't know many statistics about grief, I simply speak from my own experiences. Through my life, grief has offered itself in countless ways. It has at times seemed like a slow motion fall, and at other times; like a hand of grace cradling me. Grief is not limited to a physical death, it can be the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, the unknown of moving, and the list continues. I think that just by the simple means of loving as David stated we are all open to the nature of grief.
I would offer this book You Can Heal Your Heart by Louise Hay and David Kessler as a wonderful companion as you transition through your grief. Their authors' note so beautifully states, "Grief is not a condition to be cured but a natural part of life. Spirit does not know loss; it knows that every story begins and every story ends, yet love is eternal."
The book is broken into three main areas:
1. Helping You Feel Your Feelings
2. Allowing Old Wounds to Come Up for Healing
3. Changing Distorted Thinking about Relationships, Love, and Life
David also has a website, www.grief.com that has some wonderful resources to support you though this process. As Louise and David both state in their book, "No book, however, should be used to replace professional help if that is needed."
May you feel supported and loved on this journey!
May you Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
When I was 14, my grandfather died. It was Mother's Day and we had a party at my parents house to celebrate this special occasion. I watched a man I loved with all of my heart tumble to the Earth from a massive heart attack. I remember feeling stunned, unsure, angry, grief stricken; like a river would pour out of my soul. At the time, I did not find the gift of his passing, but as I have been able to reflect on his loss, my heart is honored to have been with him physically during his transition. Throughout my life I have been with many family members and friends as they have passed. Although there has been a great labor on their physical bodies, the spiritual connection has been other worldly.
So why grief today? To me, grief is simply part of the journey; one that cracks our hearts wide open each time it happens. I don't know many statistics about grief, I simply speak from my own experiences. Through my life, grief has offered itself in countless ways. It has at times seemed like a slow motion fall, and at other times; like a hand of grace cradling me. Grief is not limited to a physical death, it can be the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, the unknown of moving, and the list continues. I think that just by the simple means of loving as David stated we are all open to the nature of grief.
I would offer this book You Can Heal Your Heart by Louise Hay and David Kessler as a wonderful companion as you transition through your grief. Their authors' note so beautifully states, "Grief is not a condition to be cured but a natural part of life. Spirit does not know loss; it knows that every story begins and every story ends, yet love is eternal."
The book is broken into three main areas:
1. Helping You Feel Your Feelings
2. Allowing Old Wounds to Come Up for Healing
3. Changing Distorted Thinking about Relationships, Love, and Life
David also has a website, www.grief.com that has some wonderful resources to support you though this process. As Louise and David both state in their book, "No book, however, should be used to replace professional help if that is needed."
May you feel supported and loved on this journey!
May you Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
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