Thoughtful Tuesdays: Moving Through Loss

In all honesty I wanted to avoid posting today's blog due to the weight it carries. I am observing with curiosity as I feel how this reading translates into my mind, body, and soul. It is a topic I tend to shy away from as a result of the overwhelming emotions that come with it. I have experienced many losses in my life and only recently have I learned that when I do embrace the loss with a balance of sadness and joy, the pain becomes more manageable (that doesn't mean it's easy to do, and it takes a lot of willingness to do this).  In all honesty it started with a quote from the incredibly talented Dr. Seuss, "“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I was entering a transition in my life where I had to let go of so much to move forward. While I left a lot behind me, I was able to take the memories, the experiences, and the lessons learned with me. It helped me move forward. Now I have gained more tools to help the experience of moving through loss. While the pain remains just as raw and strong, I know that through my actions I can impact the experience in a more positive manner and move through. I know I'll be ok.

The following is an exact excerpt from the book Listening To Your Inner Voice by Douglas Bloch. I in no way possess any ownership of the following. I am simply sharing the thoughts, expressions and words of an author who has inspired me.

 Moving Through Loss

The nature of the material world is impermanence.  Everything that begins in time will end in time. Nothing lasts forever. To this extent, we all experience loss. 

But the pain of loss does not have to create  long-term suffering. If we embrace the pain and feel our grief, a remarkable thing happens - the pain gradually recedes. This is what is meant by the saying, "The only way out of the pain is to embrace the pain."  It is when we attempt to avoid the pain that suffering arises. 

Another approach to loss is to appreciate the joy that you gained from that which is now gone - whether it is a person, an animal, or a phase of life that just ended. As a child who lost his cat remarked, "I miss my kitty. I'm glad I had him though. I'm glad he had the chance to live here and be my friend."

Finally, realize that the essence of a material form, which is love, never dies. In this sense, there is no such thing as loss. This is why Christ left his disciples with his words, "I am with you always, even into the end of the world." In our lives as well, whatever we have loved can never leave us. 

Affirmations

1. I allow myself to feel my feelings.

2. As I embrace my pain and sadness, I begin to feel better.

3. Although I grieve for what I lost, I know that a greater good will follow.

4. I am grateful that I had had the chance to love.

5. That which I love is always with me.

6. Your Own ________________

Thoughtful Tuesdays : Healing the Inner Child

Oh how I love today's excerpt. Since 2008 I have been practicing this way of living. It has made a world of a difference to my quality of life. It was introduced to me as a tool to help me cope with a traumatic childhood. At first I struggled with the concept so I printed off a picture of myself as a young child and glued it on a canvas surrounding it with paint, glitter, and an affirmation. This helped me visualize the concept of healing my inner child and made it easier to implement into my life. With time it became easier to listen to my inner child without using a visual. I have found a lot more balance in my life since I started healing and listening to my inner child. In my opinion it's definitely worth a try!


The following is an exact excerpt from the book Listening To Your Inner Voice by Douglas Bloch. I in no way possess any ownership of the following. I am simply sharing the thoughts, expressions and words of an author who has inspired me.

Healing the Inner Child

The other day I passed by a homeless person sleeping in the street. I studied his face - rough, tired, defeated. As I experienced compassion for his situations, I went back in time and imagined what he looked like as an infant - full of hope and expectation. I also realized that despite the outward circumstances, this inner child was still alive within him. For the next few days I perceived the inner child behind the masks of all whom I encountered.

What does the inner child want? It wants to be held, touched, and loved. It wants to belong. It wants to have fun, laugh, and play. What does this inner child provide? It gives us aliveness, energy, joy and vitality. It gives us curiosity and a sense of wonder. It gives us life.

Most of us have paid too little attention to the child within. In a culture where striving for success makes a life of "serious" business, we suffer from a common malady - a lack of connection with our childlike nature and the joy it brings. 

It is said, "Unless you become as little as a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God." Resolve each day to ask your child what he or she needs or wants. Spend time getting to know him or her. Then note the increased vitality that comes from connecting with that central part of yourself. 

Affirmations

1. I love my inner child.

2. I give my inner child the attention it asks for.

3. I now allow my inner child to participate in my daily affairs.

4. My life is filled with joy.

5. I create ample time for play.

6. Your Own ________________