Trust That Hope is Inside

Posted on January 7, 2009 - by Doris Jeanette

By Doris Jeanette —

Another Year, Another Piece of the Grief Journey

Posted on January 7, 2009 - by Debra Reagan

By Debra Reagan — I was sitting at my desk and glanced at the new calendar hanging on the wall. Suddenly, I was hit with the overwhelming thought of another. My heart ached over the thought of another birthday for my deceased child, another anniversary date, and all the other holidays that would come around another time.  Many questions came to mind.  Had I not gone through the depths of grief? Had I not walked through the Valley of the Shadows? Was this not enough? How could I be expected to do more?? It struck me the New Year was […]

Woman Starts Grieving 12 Years After Mother’s Death

Posted on January 6, 2009 - by Pamela Gabbay

Cora writes in with this question: “I just started grieving about my mom this Christmas. She died in 1996. I thought about all the events and things we shared from age 6 to adult. It was like a series of flashbacks. I was in a depressed state for 4 days. Is that normal? Pamela Gabbay, certified bereavement counselor, responds: Dear Cora, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Whenever someone we love dies, we yearn for them and miss everything about them. We miss the sound of their voice, their touch, the smell of their hair, […]

New Year Offers Chance to Start Fresh

Posted on January 6, 2009 - by Mary Jane Hurley Brant

By Mary Jane Hurley Brant —

Four Stages of Forgiveness

Posted on January 5, 2009 - by Fred Luskin

The full process of forgiveness is a liberating experience. One that if practiced smartly can lead to a terrific life experience. Interestingly, forgiveness can only occur because we have been given the gift of the ability to make choices. We have the choice to forgive or not to forgive and no one can force us to do either. Conversely, if we want to forgive someone no one can stop us no matter how poorly they may act. This ability to forgive is a manifestation of the personal control we have over our lives. It is nice to reflect upon and feel the respect that we have been given to be able to make such profound choices.

Compellingly, the option to forgive also implies that we had discretion as to whether or not we took offense in the first place. While forgiving may be a difficult enough choice for many of us, imagine how our lives would be if we rarely or never used our power of choice to take offense. Since we have choice, wouldn’t it make sense to limit the amount of times we are hurt or offended so that the need to forgive rarely if ever arises? The ability to live life without taking offense, without giving blame, and by offering forgiveness are choices that offer a life of great peace.

Forgive for Good: Nine Steps to Self Forgiveness

Posted on January 5, 2009 - by admin

9 Steps to Self Forgiveness:

Be Intentional About Reaching Out

Posted on January 5, 2009 - by Mitch Carmody

By Mitch Carmody — My resolution for the year ahead is to practice one element of what I call Proactive Grieving. That element is being intentional; to reach out with some sort of communication that recognizes a special day for someone who has suffered a loss. Certain calendar days throughout the year are very significant to those who grieve the loss of a loved one: death days, birthdays, diagnosis days, anniversaries, day of the accident, day of surgery, religious observations, holidays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, family annual event days and more. In the first year of loss, even the day […]

Death, Dreams and the Laundry

Posted on January 5, 2009 - by Byron Katie

By Byron Katie —

After Suicide of Loved One, Give Yourself a Fair Trial

Posted on January 4, 2009 - by Comfort Shields

By Comfort Shields —

Smile More

Posted on January 4, 2009 - by Christa Scalies

By Christa Scalies —