Reflecting this weekend on the recent loss our family experienced had me really contemplating this beautiful complex state of being human. One of the most amazing parts about being human is that we are all so unique. You might find similarities within friends and companions, but at our cores, we are all distinctively diverse.
However, one thread that connects everyone is emotion.
We have all felt happy, sad, excited, nervous, fearful and angry. But, the one emotion I find the most fascinating is grief. Grief has the ability to be all-consuming. It can swallow you up whole, locking you in its tormented abyss. an emotion that, more often than not, you have to claw your way out of.
Grief is so human, and it hits everyone at one point or another, at least, in their lives. If you love, you will grieve, and that’s just given. We will all grieve at some point in our lives. Perhaps we already have, or maybe it has yet to reach us, but it is something all of us will suffer through.
Although losing someone is tragic and grief can take over, there is always a silver lining. There can be positive sides to grief. Grief helps us become more understanding of others. We’ve been told before we need to cut people a break in life. We shouldn’t judge them because we don’t know what they might be going through.
When you have experienced grief and loss, it makes you more aware of people’s feelings. You become more understanding of others. You try and remember that when someone is acting like a total jackass, there could be a deeper reason to his or her behavior.
Grief reminds us of our vulnerabilities. Even the strongest people can have moments of fragility. Grief will give you a newfound appreciation and thirst for life. With grief and healing comes a newfound appreciation for life. You stop taking people and things for granted. You start experiencing life in a new way, and you no longer sweat the small stuff.
You learn to let things go. You try and laugh a little harder, breathe a little deeper and love a little stronger. Life is short, so why not make the most of it?
Peace and Love, Jim
