During this season of Thanksgiving and gratitude we wanted to share a piece about these topics. Being grateful while grieving can and is very difficult but it is also conducive to the healing part of the widow’s journey.
We appreciate you – our followers and supporters!
We would first like to let you know that we are very grateful for you!
We built this blog with you in mind. In our grief journeys, couldn’t find the resources that we felt were needed during that point in our lives. We are very grateful for all of our followers and supporters who help us grow our blog and community and share this information with those who need it the most.
Gratitude and grief – is it possible? Yes …
Depending on where you are on this journey, gratitude may be very difficult to experience. We acknowledge that grief is very challenging and feeling overwhelmed may be easier than feeling grateful. Hopefully, our words today can help you achieve little bits of gratitude until you can move further along to larger pieces and times of gratitude.
How to express gratitude ideas …
Start looking around you for the small things that bring you joy and peace. Practice being thankful for the little things. Maybe a phone call, a hug, waking up this morning ….these little things can actually be very big in this part of the journey. Take a moment and find gratitude for these little things. Look around you…you might be surprised by what you find to be grateful for and how you progress as you practice being thankful.
According to Psychology Today, there are 7 main benefits to gratitude
Resource: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude) Please visit this website for further explanation of these 7 benefits.
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
- Gratitude improves physical health.
- Gratitude improves psychological health.
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better.
- Gratitude improves self-esteem.
- Gratitude increases mental strength.
In our chaotic world, taking a moment to breathe deeply and express gratitude and thanksgiving can be an excellent tool to begin/continue healing in your journey.
Take a moment and think
- Who has helped me on my journey?
- Are there any resources that have assisted me in my process?
- What brings me even a little bit of peace or a smile to my face?
- How do I feel when I express gratitude both to myself and others?
How can I Express Gratitude in the midst of my journey?
- What is one thing daily you are grateful for?
- Write in your journal a daily gratitude (or weekly/monthly) or tell someone
- Make a social media post expressing thanks and gratitude
- Call a friend or supporter and thank them. (email or write a letter if you are up to it)
What if you aren’t feeling so thankful and you are grieving? Teresa is hosting a Free Grief Triage: Strategies for the Holidays Webinar, Mon. 12/3/18 @ 7pm CST. Click the link to register.
She also has a virtual three week group program Grief Perspectives: Surviving the Holidays Program starting Mon. 12/10/18 on dealing with grief and the holidays that may be useful for you or someone you know. To learn more or register – click here:https://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/holidaygriefprogram.html
We’d love to hear from you. Please comment and share your experiences.
Please get help if you are needing or thinking you might need it. Please don’t wait or go it alone. Not sure? Check out our blog on When to Ask For Help
If you have Thoughts of suicide – Get help immediately – call 911 or the US. National suicide hotline 1-800-273-8255
Disclaimer: We cannot personally endorse any of these websites, books, or organizations. We are not mental health, legal, or financial professionals. Please use these sources for information only and consult professionals as necessary. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. torninhalf.com makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
