Grief is not a stranger to me. From the death of my baby brother to sudden infant death syndrome when I was four years old, to moving 12 times by the time I was 15, to a marriage that ended in divorce, to the death of my son, to the life threatening illness I survived, to the death of my 2nd husband, I know grief.

Grieving is a multi-dimensional, illusive being at times. It seems like it would be so easy to grieve. Cry, release the feelings and move on. But, grief shows up in our lives in many ways. There are layers and layers that must be honored and healed. There is no timing or prediction of where and when it will show up.

And mixed into all of the “big” events are the disappointments which we all have and where there are layers of grief. The loss of the part in the school play, the boyfriend who dumped me, the layoff from a job, the dreams that do not manifest, all the memories are inside waiting to be released.

A loss of any kind can turn your life upside down and form a layer of grief. The ending of a marriage, being laid off from a job, an illness that changes your body, the death of a child, a spouse, a parent, a friend.

When I talk about grief I am talking about anything that brings you sorrow, that feels like a loss, and that is connected in some way to disappointment, sadness, hopelessness or a change in your life.

During the last 50 years, I have learned to embrace grief as an opportunity to learn to live a richer, deeper life of joy. I want to share some things I have learned that may help you feel, heal and soar.

This is a series of articles to explore the journey and share the keys to grief transformation.

 

 

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep – comfort in grief – An inspirational movie by TheLightBeyond.com for people grieving the loss of a loved one, based on the sympathy poem Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep. It aims to comfort mourners with the thought that the person they grieve for has become one with nature. The music is by Brady Barnett in memory of his son Jonah.

 

Amid grief, spirit of NY is alive

Filed under: inspirational grief

At the 9/11 commemoration, which was exclusively for families of the fallen this year, FDNY Lt. Gerard Chipura spoke about his brother John, whose life he thinks should be an inspirational and action-packed book. PHOTOS: AMERICA REMEMBERS …
Read more on New York Daily News

 

Inspirational speaker scheduled

Filed under: inspirational grief

24 at Sharon Regional Diagnostic Center conference rooms, 2453 Garden Way, across from Kraynak's. Pederson is an inspirational speaker on grief and loss, an award-winning songwriter and a successful recording artist. He offers a gentle mix of humor and …
Read more on Youngstown Vindicator

 

Grieving mom hosting yoga fundraiser in honour of young cancer victims

Filed under: inspirational grief

“The space was ready for a new beginning, but at first I thought I wouldn't be able to do it — how could I be inspirational and teach when I was just devastated,” she recalls. Over time — it took five months for the renovation — the yoga studio …
Read more on Calgary Herald