Sorrow and Grief

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By Bestbudbrian (Own work) CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons

This holiday season is a difficult one for my loved ones and I, as it is for many people this year.  In my circle of family and friends, there have been numerous deaths - loved ones who are no longer here to share our joy or celebrate along side us.

We must be gentle with ourselves and each other. In other words, we need to give ourselves permission to be happy as well as sad.  We need to allow ourselves the ability to laugh and cry.  Being gentle means it is OK to want to be with others, but also wish to be alone.  When our hearts are filled with sorrow, grief becomes part of our life.  

Grief is our response to sorrow.  Each person grieves differently.  The catch is that in order to move forward, to do the things we need to do in this life, we must not let sorrow consume us.  When we are consumed by sorrow, our lives become dark, empty places. Grief enable us to witness our sorrow.

Grieving takes many forms. Some of us write, others put together scrapbooks, others simply find comfort in being with family and friends who can talk about our loved one.  There is no right or wrong way to grieve.  

Sorrow sometimes causes us to think we are alone, that no one else is feeling the depth or breadth of our pain.  This is as false a perception as is the idea that grief should be only so long or done a certain way. We must remember to be gentle with ourselves and others, especially family and friends who are grieving along with us. 

As the holidays progress, may we all remember that the darkness of winter never lasts forever.  The Light returns in spring, the season of new life and new beginnings.  May we all find Peace and Comfort in the Light that surround us during this holy season.  May our sorrow receive the balm of Love and may our broken hearts be healed so that we may have the strength to continue on our journey through this life.

Blessings to all.

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