The Healing Journey

April 12, 2024

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”
— Queen Elizabeth

Sometimes you may turn to solitude to find peace, only to discover your mind is racing, your emotions are in turmoil and the quiet reverie, rather than bringing you peace, is leading you to something you wanted to escape.

You will remember the past — long past and immediate past — and be assaulted by memories that don’t provide the consolation you wanted. You might think about what you might have done differently. Then, you’ll have thoughts about the future. You may even be overwhelmed with anxiety, worrying about what will go wrong. Brooding about the future is never helpful.

You may start to think that instead of silence and solitude it’s better to live a life of loud distraction because it will keep your mind off the pain, the uncertainty and the countless other things you’re worried could go wrong. Unfortunately, you can’t wave a magic wand and get an immediate remedy. Grief doesn’t work like that. Sometimes, you have to stand there and hurt.

Of the two approaches, introspection is the better one. Avoidance will only prolong the pain. Confronting your grief and spending time with it is never easy.

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Find the strength to confront your grief because running from it isn’t the answer.