Dear Readers:
Here is another thoughtful post from Angela Lunde, Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator, one of my favorite bloggers.
~ Jennifer
For the most part, I love the holidays — gathering with family, sharing food and gifts and being mindful of our blessings.
Yet, I know this is also a time when grief can dwell more intensely in our hearts. It’s important to address grief because it’s such a big part of our lives. And I’m not just talking about sadness. Grief can disguise itself as anger, fear, resentment or a sense of profound helplessness.
We may think we need to chase away grief and other negative thoughts and feelings from our hearts and minds and be more “joyful”. I ask you though to consider embracing whatever you are feeling and experiencing — both negative and positive feelings need attention and belong in the same reality.
By acknowledging and even embracing our grief we begin to remove some of the protective layers that frequently mask the core of who we truly are. When this uncovering happens, there, at our deepest center is a light. A light I call love.
Grief is an organic emotion that at its core is an expression of love. If we love well, there will be grief. Accepting this may open up a bit more space in our hearts for joy. May peace and joy be within each of you this holiday season.
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
— Persian poet Rumi
