Developing Emotional Resilience

Finding  the Courage to Heal Disrupting Grief

The Courage to Heal Emotionally

Emotional pain (grief) is a powerful force that can affect our emotional well-being; however, it is often misunderstood. It is a universal experience that 100% of all humans will go through at some point in their lives. The way we understand loss and approach our daily lives is greatly influenced by how we process and cope with emotional pain. Educating ourselves about grief and its intricate relationship with our emotions and overall well-being becomes essential to disrupting grief. This disruption involves approaching the myths and misinformation with an evidence-based Grief Recovery Method® educational program that defines grief examines and reflects on past experiences, identifies the source of our emotional pain, and why we remain stuck in grief, and lastly gives voice to the pain. It makes space for choices and free will to take responsibility for our recovery and free ourselves of what is often generational grief (emotional pain). 

The Definition of Grief and Its Relation to Our Emotions

Disrupting grief starts with understanding what grief is and how it impacts emotional well-being. Grief is the normal and natural response to loss of any kind; however, most associate grief with death and divorce only. The loss of someone or something has both tangible and intangible losses and impacts life's regular rhythms. It is a complex flow of intense, mixed emotions, varying from sorrow and sadness to anger, perceived guilt, relief, and happiness. However, despite the mixed feelings, grief is not a sign of weakness. It is a part of the human experience and a testament to our capacity to love and form meaningful connections.

Exploring Spiritual and Religious Beliefs in the Context of Grief Education

People's religious and spiritual beliefs often play a significant role in understanding and coping with grief. For some, these beliefs provide a framework that helps make sense of their loss and offers hope for eventual healing. For others, it might raise difficult questions and challenge their faith. Recognizing, honoring, and acknowledging these differing perspectives is a crucial part of grief education. Emotional pain knows no race, gender, or religious belief; it is essential in our differences; empathy is fostered with compassion. Empathy allows us to see each other and provide support in our uniqueness during challenging times.

Acknowledging and Naming Emotional Pain to Create Space for Healing and Joy.

Acknowledging our emotional pain is another essential component of disrupting grief, which can often link to generational trauma. Stephanie M. Hutchins states, "Your pain didn't start with you, but it can end with you." There's a connection to breaking emotional pain and trauma as the catalyst to breaking the cycle to heal, which includes allowing yourself to grieve. Often, to avoid feeling, we suppress our emotions and deny ourselves the space to mourn losses. However, ignoring our pain does not make it go away. On the contrary, it can make the healing process more difficult. By acknowledging our feelings and naming our pain, we can create space for healing. This practice also paves the way for joy to resurface, even during our grief. 

Examining the Root Causes of Emotional Pain

Part of the healing process involves examining the root causes of our emotional pain. This introspection can be challenging, requiring us to confront uncomfortable truths and re-live painful moments. It also provides space for forgiveness, a foundational aspect of emotional healing. All components are essential to understanding and learning how to manage our grief. By gaining insight into what caused our pain, we can arrive at the truth, forgive and better understand our emotions, and develop effective coping strategies.

Moving Forward: The Courage to Heal

It is important to remember that moving forward often means leaving things behind, which can be difficult. However, the risk of staying in the same place can damage overall health and well-being. As a life and grief coach, be encouraged to take the next best steps toward healing and growth. When we change on the inside over time, the things that no longer work or serve the new version of ourselves will fade into the background and move further away. Remember, it is okay to grieve and feel emotions, but it is also vital to take action toward healing. Disrupting grief is not about forgetting or minimizing loss but about finding ways to live with it and eventually heal from it. It is about having the courage to confront emotional pain (grief), acknowledge and express your emotions, and take the steps necessary to move forward.

One Small Correct Step can lead to significant gains.

It is essential to note you don't need to tell all the personal details of your story to begin disrupting the emotional pain; start with how you felt or feel emotionally. Each right step leads to the next and the next, and so on, you go. The journey is challenging; however, you are worth every disruption through grief education.

 Finally, Because of these disruptions, I am joyful. I am content in all things. (Phillippians 4:12) As one of my all-time favorites, Maya Angelou, states, "I wouldn't take anything for my journey, now!" 

Thank you for meeting me here!

Anna Laura 💙

Anna L. Woods, MMin, CLC, CGC

ALWCoaching Services

Inspiring Purpose and Well-being through life's challenges.

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