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How Does One Describe Peace
Written by Ann
It is not easy to describe peace or to be at peace, but these are my observations.
It is being awakened at 3 am on the eve of a full moon- Walking out doors to see
the big luminescent moon high in the sky along with a multitude of brilliant sparkling
stars. And as a phoenix rises out of the ashes, after watching and feeling the powerful
energy of the full moon energizing your whole being - one can now become conscious
of the sounds of the ocean. The waves gently rolling on the shore, and as one watches
the waves wash back out to sea, one can observe its ripple effect..
At this point, every wave carries the sounds of complete harmony and peace.
As the tide recedes out it also carries your mind and heart to an unknown place and an unknown
time. A place of peace - at least for a few minutes the worries that plagues your mind and heart
is forgotten.
Looking out over the ocean you can observe the light fluffy clouds each being a different shape and
size. Each one making a way for the sun to slowly make its appearance, one can hear the sounds
of the ocean welcoming a new dawn. And all you can feel is the beat of your own heart.
As far as your soul is concerned, for now, this is pure peace!
And the phoenix rises out of the ashes to face a new day, so does the beautiful morning sun, showing
its brilliance through the puffy white and grey clouds. It is in this instance the sun shines through most
brilliantly welcoming us as humans to another day. The sun sends a streak of light and warmth across
the ocean to let us know that we have have another day to conquer. But with this new day we have new
energy, new life and new hope.
This is the closest that this writer can come to describe being at pure and unadulterated peace, for at
least a few moments, its time to sit and soak in the sounds and the warmth.
PURE HARMONY, PURE PEACE!!
Teen Grief
Written by Ann
Teenagers are people too…………………They hurt, they grieve!!!
Grief for an adult can be difficult at best. But for a teenager it is harder yet. Why is this?
-
They go into denial mode. They deny the reality of the passing, which makes healing very difficult.
2. Some believe it is somehow their fault that the person passed.
3. Some teens can become suicidal and it can lead to some developmental issues.
4. Some kids act out by becoming involved in gangs, alcohol and drugs. Some can withdraw into themselves.
5. Many could feel a sense of insecurity or have feelings of fear or even guilt associated with the loss.
6. Feelings of loss can manifest through physical illness such as headaches, stomach aches when there is no medical basis for the symptoms.
With all of this being said and done, children need to be able to verbalize their grief. As adults, our mouth needs to be closed; our ears open at all times, our presence available. Allow our grieving teens to speak and be heard. Give them the opportunity to come to grips with their feelings and then to verbalize their thoughts at a later time if there is a need for professional counselling, then this can be arranged.
It is imperative to assure our teens that are facing the loss of a parent or friend, that it is not the teen’s fault. They did not cause the person to pass.
Grief can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. There are no easy answers, everyone is unique and each situation has to be handled on its own merit.
Always remember: “To experience grief is to acknowledge we are human.”
How To Cope With Loss
Written by Ann
How To Cope With Loss
For many months as a caregiver or a family member you have been on this physical and emotional rollercoaster. Caring for a sick loved one, but now they are not longer there having passed.
The first few days, is usually very hectic with preparations as well as greeting friends and family who have come to pay their respects. First, I would recommend and for as much our society feels it is morbid, pre-arrange the funeral, make as much preparation before as possible. Usually in the first few hours and days after the passing, the numbing of mind and body takes over, so if much has been arranged, it makes things easier.
So the funeral is over, the friends and relatives have gone back to their own lives, you are now left to not only to handle your own grief, but that of others in the family, that is looking to you for support.
Here is the key:
Seek time for you to grieve. Many people jump right back into work and bury their grief so deep that years later they still have not dealt with those emotions and it resurfaces later. Please don’t do this.
- Seek out someone who has gone through the bereavement process. They can walk this road with you and at times give you clarity.
- Do you enjoy music or gardening or perhaps meditation, these also can help.
- Speak of your loved one as often as you would like. There are many things that you might have learned from this one. And in the weeks and months to come, there will be a lot of time to reflect on these things.
The French author Francois Muriac had these words to say “We are, all of us moulded by those who have loved us. And though these may have passed we remain never the less…Their Work…It is a work they very likely do not recognize and it never exactly what they intended. No love and no friendship can ever cross the path of your destiny, without leaving some mark upon it forever”
Sometimes the person that has crossed held great significance in our lives; we remember the things that they taught us. Perhaps if it was a father figure, he might have taught us about changing the tires on a car or even how to fix electrical wiring, without killing ourselves.
Or if its mom, perhaps her homemade preserves on warm bread filled you with delight. You see, our loved ones taught us many things and in some cases made us who we are today. We miss their physical presence and rightly so.
The bottom line through this grief process is to “Take Time To Grieve” by doing this we honour our feelings and our emotions. This process takes time, so be patient with yourself and others.
Honour the memories of your loved ones.
I recommend again, speaking particularly with someone who has suffered a loss and have gone through this grieving process. By doing this you will find some peace and they might be able to answer questions that someone else might not be able to.
If all else fails, please remember that despite the fact that the physical body is gone, the love that they have for you did not die with them. If anything it is stronger.
The world that they are in is one of pure love, pure peace. Even though they are not with you in the physical body, they are with you in spirit. And there will be a time, when your soul with leave this earth plane, you will have the privilege to meet and greet all those that have gone before you.
In the meantime, honour your grief and those of your loved ones. This gives you the strength to help other family members to cope.
Death is another part of the” journey of our soul”. Life does go on in another plane of existence.
On Death and Dying
Written by Ann
The words death and dying are two of the most feared and misunderstood words in our language. This is true the world over. Death can be described as a journey or transition that takes place for each and every one of us. You cannot run or hide from death or the effects it has on us and our loved ones.
Permit me to shine a little light on this journey and transition of your soul.
“When someone has been told they will die from whatever illness that they have been diagnosed with, there is a fear that grips their minds and hearts. For years, many religions have taught that when we die, whatever sins that where committed in this life, will be paid for in the afterlife. Some teach that we will sleep for thousands of years to be awakened to a resurrection or damnation. Anyone having had these teachings would naturally be terrified to die, wouldn’t you?