Raising the Awareness!

On August 30th, we mark National Grief Awareness Day, a day dedicated to shedding light on a topic that touches each of our lives in profound ways: grief. It's a day that reminds us of the need to collectively embrace and understand the complexities associated with this universal human experience.

In today's society, grief literacy remains a challenge. Many are unaware of this designated day, and that's perfectly okay. Unfortunately, grief does not come on one day and vanishes. To have a day honored to this topic serves as a reminder that we are all continuously learning and growing. Recognizing our "gaps" in knowledge is the first step toward destigmatizing discussions around grief.

Beginning with the basics, I would like for us to clear up the language of "loss" and "grief." Understanding these terms is foundational when we delve into the intricate layers of this emotional journey.

Loss is an inevitable part of life and yet many people only associate it with bereaving families. Take a pause and reflect on other types of losses one may experience. Loss of relationships, identity, job, and pet are some examples to ponder upon.

Grief is the emotional release from a loss. It is a deeply personal journey that unfolds uniquely for each individual.

Drawing from my own very personal experience, I've also now found that periods of feeling "disconnected" and yearning for more from life resonate with countless individuals. As I pen this, I'm amidst the emotions tied to the anniversary of losing my father a decade ago and the approaching two-year mark since my mother's passing. This interim period has pulled me towards sharing a safe space for grief to be understood – Grief is Universal and even though our journeys may look very different, isolation is not the best way to deal with it.

Through this journey, I've come to appreciate the significance of self-expression, healing, and moving forward with a renewed purpose. Honoring our loved ones extends beyond their physical presence; it encompasses forging connections with our higher consciousness, where they continue to exist.

Empowerment emerges when we begin to nurture these elevated connections. Signs are all around us, waiting to be recognized. By cultivating a relationship with the spiritual realm and embracing our innate ability to connect, we can unlock the enduring support offered by our departed loved ones, now transformed into our guardian angels.

Did you know that angels inhabit a realm of higher energy than our own. As we learn to raise our vibrations, they will lower theirs, bridging the gap between the two dimensions. This revelation came upon me from a transformative workshop which helped me understand why I was surrounded by butterflies, cardinals and humming birds.

Terms like energy, healing, and angels might seem foreign to many especially when one has not taken time to reflect on their own emotions, and feelings for long. My transformation following the loss of my mother highlighted to me the pressing need to address the prevailing lack of awareness within our society. I choose to be there as a support system for anyone feeling difficult to bear with a loss.

On this National Grief Awareness Day, let's remember:

1.    Grief can lead to feelings of isolation.

2.    It encompasses a series of secondary losses.

3.    The journey often unfolds beyond our initial expectations.

4.    Navigating grief entails processing a multitude of emotions.

5.    Grief possesses the extraordinary power to catalyze transformation.

I am committed to holding space to listen in, to help you witness your loss, and to educate broadly on this topic, especially for those who are looking for ways to manage their pain to live irrespective of the "void" that always will remain.

Let us commit to expanding our comprehension of grief. As a community, we can certainly pave a pathway for feeling, and healing towards some profound transformations. Let's foster a society marked by understanding, compassion, and love.

That is who we are ultimately - pure love!