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Accepting Loss The Cycle Of Grief

When we experience any kind of devastating loss, whether it is

the loss of a loved one, a dream, or a relationship, feelings may arise within us that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. This sense of grief can also come up when we are separated from anyone or anything we have welcomed into our lives. And while

it may feel like we are caught up in a never-ending spiral of sadness and emptiness, it is important to remember that the

grief we are feeling is not a permanent state of being. Rather,

grief is part of the process of letting go that in many ways can

be a gift, allowing us to go deeper within ourselves to

rediscover the light amidst the seeming darkness.

The emotions that accompany any kind of loss can be intense

and varied. A sense of shock or denial is often the first reaction,

to be replaced by anger. Sometimes this anger can be directed

at your loved one for "abandoning" you; at other times you may feel outrage toward the universe for what you are enduring.

And while there are stages of grief that people go through -

moving from denial to anger to bargaining to depression to acceptance - the cycles of grief often move in spirals, sometimes circling forward and then back again. You may even experience moments of strength, faith, and laughter in between. While these emotions seem to come and go sporadically, it is important to

feel them, accept them, and allow them to flow. With time, patience, and compassion, you will eventually find your

center again.

As we move through our grief, we may find ourselves reluctant

to release our pain, fearing we are letting go of who or what we have lost. We may even regard our movement toward healing as

an act of disloyalty or giving up. Know that while the hurt may fade, the essence of what you had and who you loved will have already transformed you and forever stay with you. If anything, once you are ready for the pain of your loss to subside, their memories can then live more fully within you. Remember, that healing is a part of the spiraling cycles of grief, and that in

letting yourself feel restored again, you are surrendering to a natural movement that is part of the dance of life.

Albert Schweitzer said so well,

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."

During those difficult times they rekindled one another's light.

Who rekindles your light?

Who blows your light into flame when it

threatens to flicker out?

Sometimes this person is a relative, sometimes a teacher, or a minister, or a special friend. If you need the light of your spirit rekindled during this bleak time,there are those who will listen and care.

Likewise, a great and wonderful gift you can give is to fan into flame the spirit

that is in another. Rekindling someone's flame is an important task we perform, for few of us can go it all alone.

The greatest weapon against darkness is,

and always has been light.

Even one small light is stronger than the darkness.

Hope is always

~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes it seems that all the news is bad.

Sometimes it seems that the world around

you is tumbling hopelessly downhill and

there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

Yet that is never the case. For the more difficult

life becomes, the more motivated everyone

becomes to make real,substantial, positive

changes.

Nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Because

when situations become difficult, people

become determined.

And when enough people become determined

enough, good and positive and valuable

things begin to happen.

Hope, which may have previously been nearly

impossible to see, begins tospring into action.

When the darkness becomes unbearable, someone

will step forward and shine a light. And that light

will inspire others, and others, and others.

Hope is always there.

The more it is needed, the more

powerful and effective it grows.

Ralph Marston

Little Angels

~~~~~~~~~

When God calls little children to dwell with him above,

We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love.

~~~~~

For no heartache compares with the death of one small child,

Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild.

~~~~~

Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold,

So he picks a rosebud before it can grow old.

~~~~~

God knows how much we need them, so he takes but a few,

To make the land of heaven more beautiful to view.

~~~~~

Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try,

The saddest words mankind knows will always be ‘Goodbye’.

~~~~~

So when a little child departs, we who are left behind,

Must realize God loves children,

Angels are hard to find.