By Peggy Lindsey
It’s best to just call it as it really is. What we refer to as sadness can actually be grief, and grief is an experience none of us can escape.
What do I mean by this? Most of us hold the misconception that grief is only a result of bearing the death of a loved one. In reality, however, grief hits whenever we encounter any kind of loss . . . divorce, a job, our home, a change in relationships, our health, even our financial situation!
When we understand what grief truly is (keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret), it is easy to understand that what we are dealing with is way more than being sad.
There are common responses when we are in the midst of grief: reduced concentration, a sense of numbness, disrupted sleep patterns, changed eating habits, and certainly a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. These are all normal and natural responses to loss, and their duration is unique to every individual.
Yet, so many either run away from these painful feelings, stuffing down the emotions deep inside or fuel their pain by continually immersing themselves within it. They do not understand that healing occurs while moving through these myriad of emotions. William Cowper states, “Grief is itself a medicine,” and it truly can be if we learn to allow and process it. It takes courage. And there is no timetable . . . it takes as long as it takes.
Grief doesn’t have to be a life sentence. You can heal and find joy again.
Peggy Lindsey is a Professional Life Coach, Master Teacher of Arcing Light Energy Healing, and a Spiritual Mentor. Her passion is assisting women on their journey toward happy, healthy lives by empowering them to live more joyfully and consciously. She created her business, On Angels’ Wings Healing and Coaching, in 2012 and currently practices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She can be reached at 928-273-8447. For more info, visit www.OnAngelsWingsHealing.com/.