I wish I could remember where I read this, but even thought I don't, what I do remember reading from this book was this statement: most of the conversations we have with one another involve judgments of one kind or another. This isn't intentional, but it happens, nevertheless.
It made me think of how especially judgmental we are when it comes to grief. We think WE know how long others should grieve, for whom they should grieve and how they should grieve. We even try to compare our losses with one another: "My aunt died, but her child died," or "My dad died. How dare she compare her parents' divorce to that!"
We MUST stop doing this to those we love! Every grief is unique to each and every individual. We have no idea what that person meant to him/her who is grieving, we do not know the in's and out's of their relationship and we certainly don't have the same personality and coping skills as the one who is grieving. Let's cut everyone a little slack. The next time you begin to judge, either internally or externally, pause, reflect and try to replace "shoot from the hip" judgments with well thought out statements of tolerance and compassion.
You've cried at weddings, right? At the birth of a baby? And, of course, you've probably cried at funerals, but have you ever stopped to wonder why both happy and sad events, make you so emotional? Even worse, do you often feel like you're the only one? I will impart wisdom gleaned from professional conferences, seminars, books and articles and/or I will blog my personal thoughts. Either way, I hope you check in often, so you know that your tears are never shed in a vacuum!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
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About Me
- Ms. Baby Boomer-dang
- Dallas, TX, United States
- I am an educator and consultant, in the field of loss and grief. I love educating others, as well as learning from them, about life's little and big, happy and sad losses: marriage, divorce, moving away, losing one's health, aging gracefully.....or not......death of a loved one, a pet, a dream, children growing up and parents having to let go, etc. etc. Hopefully, you get the picture. Let's laugh, cry and learn together!
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