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The grieving process is natural. Similar to the cycles of the seasons or the ebb and flood of the tides…it is not linear and straightforward, but it comes and goes. At times we may feel good about life…inspired, energized and in our passion. At others we may feel sad, fatigued and depressed. ... Views: 2382
A eulogy is a farewell or memorial speech that gives high praise to a recently deceased person. Spoken publicly at a church, funeral home or even private residence, and sometimes in conjunction with a service, the speech honors, commemorates and even celebrates the deceased's life. Although ... Views: 2643
The holidays can be challenging enough with all of the busyness of the season, but if you’ve experienced a major loss such as the death of a loved one, this time of year can be extremely difficult. Family gatherings where your loved one is not present can leave a huge void. Past memories of ... Views: 2145
One of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments is a green ball my Father and Step-Mother gave me. It has little rocking horses on it with the words, “Baby’s First Christmas” for my son, Jared. It wasn’t just because it was Jared’s first Christmas that made it so special; it was because it was ... Views: 2089
The Death of a Child
Originally Posted on July 14, blog Indestructible Relationship by Kimberly Pryor
Today, I’m turning The Indestructible Relationship blog over to an award-winning author and therapist I met recently at a conference in Philadelphia. Her name is Dr. Jane A. Simington, PhD, ... Views: 2197
Whether you're feeling trauma from recent losses or are experiencing grief in the aftermath of past events, know that you can and will get through it. Following are pointers from first-hand experience.
Having experienced personal and professional losses within a relatively short period of ... Views: 1569
As we head into mid-life we sometimes feel we are in crisis. We feel loss everywhere we turn; loss of our youth, loss of a relationship, loss of children to significant others, careers or school. We feel the loss of friendships, friends or relatives though death. Loss just circles us like ... Views: 1878
Nineteen years ago, I lost my younger sister. It was sudden and tragic. The pain was much, the wound was very ghastly. My heart bled for the loss of a sister, confidante and friend. I thought I would never be able to laugh again. In fact, I lost hope in everything. Then, memories of good times ... Views: 2662
Depression is a medical condition. It is not just on one's mind. It is not an imaginary illness. It is a real disorder that requires to be diagnosed. Hence, a person who suspects himself or herself of being depressed must undergo depression test to confirm the existence of the said disorder. ... Views: 1922
Dark Days and Lonely Nights…….
The dark pit of grief that yawned below my feet threatening to swallow me whole for weeks after my loved one’s death from cancer is finally fading and the overwhelming grief is subsiding to a dull ache in the middle of my chest.
People kept telling me that ... Views: 2109
I'm the first to admit that teenage relationships can be some of the most intense relationships ever! But teens are also in danger of reacting to the drama of a tumultuous relationship or the ending of a relationship by resorting to life-altering decisions. Sadly, one of those reactions can ... Views: 6965
When you lose someone you love and are grieving, Thanksgiving Day feels burdensome and painful. When a brain tumor took away our precious Katie’s life I dreaded that holiday. For seven years we served no rutabagas because they were Katie’s favorite vegetable. The thought of their seasonal ... Views: 5079
Recognizing Anger
Non Physical Signs
* Controlling decisions
* Isolating from friends, school, family
* Having extreme standards
* Blaming, insulting, name calling, threatening,
questioning or checking up
Violent- No Contact
* Reckless driving
... Views: 1815
Sometimes when things come to an end, we feel more than slightly lost. When a relationship, friendship or job ends it could seem to crash our world. Our blood, sweat, tears, hopes and often life-long dreams seemed to be shattered. Other times the endings are not so serious and yet they tug at ... Views: 2168
“Discovering your Groove and creating a luscious life is all about allowing for Grace through your next transition.” - Shann Vander Leek
The sun was an orange ball of fire in the sky as it sank lower over the horizon. I reached the end of the jetty and sat on a large rock to witness its final ... Views: 2023
Where were you when on that terrible day?
Until ten years ago, during my lifetime at least, that question almost always pertained to the day the shots rang out and killed Kennedy; his presidency the seeming symbol of refreshed and restored hope to a nation that had been bruised, bloodied and ... Views: 3580
The workplace is like your second family to many people. Let’s face it, some people spend more time at work than with their immediate families!! After my mother died I don’t think that I was a very good employee. Of course, I couldn’t show it. You have to try to act like your old “normal” self. ... Views: 1188
Baby Boomers are in for a shock!!! We may think that we are prepared for the sadness that will accompany our parents’ death. In fact we are usually totally unprepared for this life experience. To lose the people in your life that have always been there and know you the best is a life-altering ... Views: 1346
Even though I am still reeling from my son’s death, things still must get done – taxes, money stuff, work, prosecution stuff…
Here’s what’s been working for me:
1. Have grief sessions every morning and/or evening. Just a time to let whatever you are feeling out – through music, ... Views: 1462
Drumming at Green Lake is such a wonderful experience. All of nature surrounds me as I sit close to the water, trees, birds, ducks, water lilies, turtles and a lone crane.
Having no formal training in drumming and being a little shy, I prefer to go drumming at Green Lake away from the busy ... Views: 1168
The journey of grieving for a dying friend has begun for me. It all began early last month when I heard that my friend Debbie's cancer had returned. Another friend Chris and I went to see her soon after she had a series of tests done. We were startled by how weak Deb had gotten so suddenly. My ... Views: 1475
Sobbing, I exclaimed, “I finally have my life back!”
Sitting on a catamaran on a beach at Mission Bay in San Diego last week, my step-mom, sister, her boyfriend and I took time out to celebrate my brother, Kyle’s life on the anniversary of his death. He had been gone for twelve years now. We ... Views: 2118
On September 11, 2011, we remember the 10th anniversary of the day when nearly 3,000 victims were killed after two airliners were crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, another plane hit the Pentagon and a final plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania. This devastating number ... Views: 1631
This was written by a friend of mine Sheri McMurray, and when I read it, I immediately asked her if I could share it. It is such an amazing story. (She is a flight attendant. which helps to know just for ease of reading mid-way through.)
The day [my cat,] Chloe, died I was trying to clear ... Views: 1368
In the fall of 1990, I was meeting with two other men on a regular basis to explore our dreams and aspirations. Every two weeks, we would gather at a Chinese buffet and talk for several hours about things we’d like to do some day. It was around the time of the Men’s Movement, where men went ... Views: 1639
Discouraged, I thought, “I wish I could afford to go to therapy.” The grief over my last miscarriage and my pet’s illnesses weighed heavy on me. Further, for the past nine years, I had experienced one early pregnancy loss after another. Tired of leaning on my husband and friends for support, I ... Views: 2291
My mom, Lois Dempsey Robbins, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early March. The disease spread very quickly and on June 13th, she passed away. I was honored and grateful to be with her through her dying process. It was both horrible and beautiful at the same time.
My mom's ... Views: 1459
Navigating Turbulent Waters of Grief? Tighten the Life Vest on Your Relationship
For more than thirty years, I have been a professional, helping people as they move through difficult life experiences. I am also a bereaved mother whose son was killed when he was 13 years of age. My therapeutic ... Views: 1747
Cruising on I-90 form Washington back to Colorado, John and I are ready for rest after eight hours of driving. We stop at a campground with easy access to the freeway, just outside of Missoula, Montana. Fortunately, the campground is practically empty. We set up camp among tall ponderosa pines ... Views: 1685
The following case-studies demonstrate what can be achieved in terms of help for the psychological effects of abortion by practicing the simple self-help method of higher-consciousness healing.
Case study 1: Barbara (31 years)
Barbara experienced strong and lasting guilt feelings about an ... Views: 1464
What can I do for someone who is grieving? Is there really anyway a "bystander" can help? Sometimes watching a person suffer the pain of loss is almost unbearable. Often in life it is easier to accept our own suffering that it is to accept the anguish of someone we deeply care about.
The ... Views: 1409
Death is the ultimate equalizer. It doesn’t excuse anybody. No matter what your economic status is, no matter how intelligent you are, whatever your race, religion, gender, age, or educational attainment is, sooner or later, someone you love will die. Loss is a universal tragedy.
And there is ... Views: 1097
Cruising on I-90 form Washington back to Colorado, John and I are ready for rest after eight hours of driving. We stop at a campground with easy access to the freeway, just outside of Missoula, Montana. Fortunately, the campground is practically empty. We set up camp among tall ponderosa pines ... Views: 2228
“Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!” Absolute silence enveloped me except for the sound of my boots on the hard packed snow. I quickly shoved my gloved hands deep into my jacket pockets as I didn’t want my fingers to get frost bitten. With a scarf wrapped tightly around my neck, mouth and nose, and my wool ... Views: 2059
Grief is a mysterious creature. It lurks unnoticed in the dark corners of our hearts only to be un-leashed by the simplest of provocations…listening to a song, looking at a picture, watching a movie, a brief thought or memory flashes through our minds reminding us of our loss. All of a sudden, a ... Views: 2218
Healing the broken heart is a multifaceted process that takes patience and self care. The first step is to acknowledge that indeed our heart is broken whether it is through the death of a loved one, a relationship ending or a betrayal in a close relationship.
Once you acknowledge the pain and ... Views: 1296
Our roles in life define us. Parent, spouse, student, employee, sibling, and offspring are some examples. Our identity is shaped by these roles.
Before my husband's death, my defining roles were mother, wife and caregiver. With three young children and a terminally ill husband, these ... Views: 2607
When one loses their spouse, a top life stressor, the level of stress experienced can feel extremely overwhelming to the griever.
Modern life is filled with stress. And this stress occurs on many different levels. There are the daily stresses of life which are often ignored as trivial. These ... Views: 1514
The healing effects of drumming are bountiful. Drum circles have existed for thousands of years. Healers and shamans around the world have used this tool or jewel for self discovery to bring about healing for the body, mind, emotion and spirit. All you need is a drum, your hands and a ... Views: 1268
Once again, the month of May presented personal challenges.
Memorial Day brings with it my own personal day of remembrance – the anniversary of my daughter’s car crash and death. This May marks three years.
Each year, as the date has approached, I have tried to convince myself that it would ... Views: 1725
A data capture project is a versatile of the main reasons for outsourcing. These companies can help the language class for a data entry operator and contempt hire.
Today it is common in developing countries, treatment of this type of sub-steps to get much cheaper rate because they get ... Views: 1186
Recently, my cat Squeakers started losing a lot of weight. My husband and I took her to the vet, thinking that she was probably dying. We braced ourselves for the inevitable sad news only to find out that she had hyperthyroidism and just needed to take a pill. The vet said, "It looks like ... Views: 1238
Disaster happens! Severe tornadoes and the Mississippi River flooding are the latest in a long line of environmental catastrophes. Lost or damaged homes, human life, possessions and crops have, once again, brought despair to human beings who urgently need a way to cope with the adversity that ... Views: 1121
There is nothing like Mother's Day to remind you of just how much you have lost and how painful that loss is if you are estranged from your mother due to abandonment (disclosing your abuse, mental illness, drug abuse, physical or emotional abuse etc) or loss.
When I disclosed my abuse to my ... Views: 3229
A poetic Prayer for memorial Day.
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Remember them Remember Him
Remember them Remember him
They died to keep us Free
He died for you and me
Remember Them Remember Him
They were wounded ... Views: 1677
Is it a bit unusual to have a conversation with a deceased loved one? Do many people do this? And are there any benefits to such action? What will my friends think if they find out? These questions are not uncommon in the thoughts of those mourning the death of a loved one. These questions are ... Views: 8269
Mother's Day carries a lot of emotional significance for most grievers. Whatever one's relationship with Mother, this person is our first connection here on the Earth plane.
This connection may have lasted a lifetime or it may have ended on the day of birth with adoption, or any number other ... Views: 1534
How to feel loved even when a relationship ends
7 days ago I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
A decision made for love, but a choice that really seemed to be set up to take love away from me.
7 days ago, I helped my best friend of 17-years, my heart companion, my soul dog, ... Views: 2499