Category: <span>Grief and Loss</span>

Grief and Loss Regrets By Mona Latimore 0 Comments

Welcoming Regrets

Generally speaking, we have some level of freedom to make choices in life. However, making choices limits us in some ways; we can’t be at two places at the same time. As a result, having regrets about choices or decisions are an inevitable part of life- yet another reminder that life is not perfect! Depending on the nature of decisions or choices and their respective consequences, regrets often bring about grief- a sense of loss and thoughts of “I wish… .” It’s important to give ourselves permission to grieve and feel the sadness brought about by regrets. We can use this grieving time to reflect on our choices, understand our motives/purposes at the time, and finally to see if there’s a lesson to be learned. Having regrets, even though emotionally painful at times, could be a sign of growth or an indicator that we have a different life situation. Regrets could imply that we have grown in some way or that we think differently now than we did previously.  However, it’s easy to fall in the self-blame trap when dealing with regrets. Practicing compassion and kindness toward ourselves helps us move on from regrets easier.

This beautiful poem touches on the intricate interplay of freedom, making choices, limitations, and regrets (“I shall be saying this with a sigh”).

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim.

I shall be saying this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two road diverged in a wood and I-

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference.

– Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

Grief and Loss By Mona Latimore 0 Comments

Letting Go

We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

E.M Forster
Gratitude Grief and Loss By Mona Latimore 0 Comments

Drawing Closer

For, as I draw closer and closer to the end, I travel in the circle, nearer and nearer to the beginning. It seems to be one of the kind smoothings and preparings of the way. My heart is touched now, by many remembrances that had long fallen asleep.

From A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Grief and Loss By Mona Latimore 0 Comments

The Paradox of Autumn: Endings and New Beginnings

image

Autumn is the season of decay and ending. Daylight grows shorter, the weather gets cooler and the sunlight is not as warm. It feels gloomy to see that the green lively leaves of summer are turning into brown dying leaves of fall. Yet, that’s what we see on the surface, for autumn is the season of seed dispersal! As green leaves are dying on the surface, new seeds are being spread and planted all over the land for new growth in spring. Sometimes it’s difficult to see this paradox of decaying and seeding because we are only focusing on what’s happening on the surface. Besides, autumn depicts that ending can be done so gracefully. It’s breathtaking to look at the gorgeous yellow, orange and red trees of fall.

We all experience autumnal events in our lives. When on the surface things are coming to an end or decaying- like when a relationship ends- but on a deeper level things are preparing for new beginnings and possibilities. When we experience an autumnal event the best we could do is to accept the ending gracefully and embrace new beginnings yet to come. Of course, we need to patiently go through autumn and winter before we can see the seeds planted in fall blossom in spring. After all, seasons cannot be hurried.

Grief and Loss By Mona Latimore 0 Comments

Sacredness in Tears

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

-Washington Irving