Lately, I have been sharing a lot about my work with helping heal others but today I want to take a moment to acknowledge some of the work I have been doing in healing myself.
Grief, an emotion we all will inevitably encounter, blossomed in my heart last year when my brother, merely 29, unexpectedly drifted away from this earthly world. It was a time when many were planning to revel in spooky season antics, but for me, the most horrifying event had already unfolded – the unimaginable loss of my younger sibling, a pain far beyond any spectral fear.
Initially, there was an unconscious attempt to clad myself in a suit of armor, shielding my vulnerability from the external world, believing that strength was synonymous with emotional containment. The complexity of mourning entwined with the pursuit of normalcy culminated in a realization: to truly find peace, I had to submit to the pain, allowing it to permeate me, for healing necessitated acceptance, not avoidance.
Amongst the tears and nostalgia, I began to discern the profound life teachings my brother silently bestowed upon me, one of which eclipsed the rest – the virtue of "letting go." This wasn't merely about releasing grip on material or corporeal attachments, but rather, unshackling myself from the chains of resentment, blaming destiny, and festering wounds of the past. It was about learning to forgive, not just others, but also myself, and to recognize that our terrestrial journey is but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of existence. Death, then, is not an extinguishment, but a transformation, a new chapter in a continuum.
As the autumn leaves began their annual descent, signaling the advent of Thanksgiving, a newfound sense of gratitude burgeoned within me. An appreciation not just for the joyful memories frozen in time, but for the seemingly cruel life lessons, that in hindsight were secret carriers of wisdom and growth. Each falling leaf, in its vibrant yet decaying beauty, whispered the secrets of release, signaling that there is an inherent beauty in letting go, in surrendering to the ebb and flow of life.
Autumn, with its connotations of decay, paradoxically became a symbol of serenity and acceptance, mirroring nature’s way of illustrating that releasing, and yielding to change, can be a sublime act. In those swirling leaves, I saw not just an end, but a promise of renewal, a silent assurance that life, in another form, persists.
“Fall is nature’s way of showing us how beautiful letting go can be.”
This perspective bestowed upon me an altered lens through which to view life, inspiring presence and mindfulness. No longer were my eyes fixated on the rearview mirror of regret, nor were they straining to glimpse the uncertain horizons of the future. Instead, they learned to observe the ‘now,’ to truly see and appreciate the transient, ephemeral moments, understanding that they, in their fleeting existence, are the true essence of life.
Adopting this mantra - "Grow through what you go through" - began as a whisper in the heart, a gentle reminder that our trials, our struggles, our losses are not mere episodes of suffering but are instead, opportunities for metamorphosis. Through every tear, every memory, and every moment of longing, there is an undercurrent of evolution, a subtle nudge towards becoming versions of ourselves that are enriched by our experiences, however painful they may be.
In commemorating my brother, this has become the message I wish to propagate to every heart that has known sorrow, every soul that has navigated the stormy seas of loss: May you find in your journey not just the anguish of absence, but the subtle sparkle of gratitude for the moments shared, lessons learned, and the unwavering strength that emerges from within.
Loss is an inevitable aspect of our human experience. But in its shadowy alleys, we find the most luminous lessons, illuminated not by the eradication of pain, but by the conscious acceptance and transformation of it. Thus, as we tread through our paths, may we all find the courage to embrace, to let go, and to unfurl into the boundless skies of acceptance and serene surrender. And in doing so, may we honor not just those we have lost but also celebrate our unyielding spirit, ever-growing, ever resilient, through every tribulation we traverse.
This journey from pain to acceptance to gratitude isn’t linear nor is it uniform. It is uniquely tortuous, singular to each one of us. Yet, within it lies a universal truth, a silent promise that from the deepest trenches of our sorrow, emerges the most profound, life-altering growth. May we all find our paths through it, slowly, gently, one letting-go at a time.
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