The death of a loved one changes you forever. You mourn, determine your grief work, do the work, and try to build a new life. At least, these are the things I had to do after four loved ones died in 2007. Though I miss my father-in-law, brother, and former son-in-law, my daughter’s death affected me the most. The pain has been unbearable.

Coming to terms with multiple losses is a journey in itself. Reconciliation is hard-won and I had many times when recovery seemed elusive — a moving target I could not reach no matter how fast I ran. Three years have passed since my loved ones died and, during this time, I often thought about happiness. Was it also an elusive goal?

Judith Viorst writes about the mourning process in her book, “Necessary Losses.” After a loved one dies, we make our way through shock, acute pain, weeping, and adaptation. As time passes, “we recover our stability, our energy, our hopefulness, our capacity to enjoy and invest in life,” she writes.

Bill Cosby’s approach to happiness is detailed in a Hospice of Siouxland newsletter article, “Laughter and Loss.” Some criticized Cosby for returning to work so soon after his son was murdered. Cosby did not agree with their opinion. “It’s time for me to tell people that we have to laugh… we’ve got to laugh,” he explained.

Laughter lifts our spirits and contributes to happiness. But mourners who define happiness by their achievements may find it difficult to be happy again. As David D. Burns, M.D. describes in his book, “Feeling Good,” we have to realize that most of us are not great achievers. Yet most Americans are happy and respected, he continues. “Clearly, happiness and great achievement have no necessary connection.”

What is necessary, it seems to me, is the willingness to change. How do we choose happiness? First, we can believe in ourselves. If we were happy in the past, we have the capacity to be happy in the future. Second, we have to learn to trust life again. After Hazelden writer Melodie Beattie’s son died, she showed her trust in life by getting a dog. Instead of getting a pet, you may travel or take a course.

Adjusting our thinking also helps us to choose happiness. When negative thoughts come into my mind, I balance them with positive thoughts. Focusing on the lessons of grief is another way to choose happiness for ourselves. For me the biggest lesson has been that every moment of every day is a miracle.

Happiness is a personal choice, a gift to ourselves, and we are all worthy of it. Every day, we have the opportunity to choose happiness, or as President Abraham Lincoln put it, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Make up your mind to be happy again and enjoy that happiness. Share it with others every chance you get.

Tags: , , ,

Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 42 books, including 10 grief resources. She is Assistant Editor of the Open to Hope website, a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit www.harriethodgson.com.

More Articles Written by Harriet