Thinking of loss today—Whether it is a loss of a relationship or a loved one, of innocence or trust, a stage in life, a belief system, or even a way of life—loss is a part of our journey. We can’t avoid loss or sadness, without avoiding life, without avoiding love. Opening ourselves up to grieve means allowing ourselves to feel, not numb, to recognize and understand our emotions, to be willing to sit in the dark with them.
Viktor E. Frankl suggested, “There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer.”
Sometimes we get lost in our loss and can’t find our way out. We may fear grieving or not know how to move forward. To allow ourselves to grieve is essential—is human. We must walk in…. to find our way out.
“Grieving allows us to heal, to remember with love rather than pain. It is a sorting process. One by one you let go of the things that are gone and you mourn for them. One by one you take hold of the things that have become a part of who you are and build again.” ~Rachel Naomi Remen
It takes great faith and strength to find your way through the grieving process, through the pain, to trust that you too won’t die within, as you stumble through the dark. To believe within the chaos that you can somehow hold on to life and allow a glimmer of light and hope to lead you and pull you through to the other side.
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~Francis of Assisi
What will you find on the other side of loss? Possibly more fear as you’re stretched beyond your comfort zone, the vast unknown--a new normal. You may even find joy. What lies beyond is the gift that we are given, the understanding we gain, the purpose and meaning of our loss. A new beginning…
Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. … All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”
By grieving you honor your loss, your void, your sorrow, your loved one. You loosen your grip on the pain and enable your heart to heal, to accept the loss. You allow your loss to be etched upon your heart with love and peace.