During the holidays I did not travel to another planet. It just felt that way. There’s been plenty wrong on earth for the past 11 months. And I just don’t feel ok. You probably don’t either. But I am here to tell you, “There’s nothing wrong with you. You are grieving.”
Ending 2020
As a final gift to myself, I scheduled a massage on the very last day of 2020.
I was already relaxed from my vacation at the Oregon coast. My room had a magnificent ocean view. The soothing ocean sounds lulled me to sleep at night. It was a much needed total reset.
So, I arrived for my massage thinking the therapist didn’t have much to do. Until she came to the front of my right shoulder.
She said, “This shoulder is really tight.”
“Tell me the message it’s giving you.” I replied, knowing there was one.
“You’ve been keeping things together.”
Indeed, after diving deeper into the message I discovered ALL the things I’d been “keeping together” - for my friends, family, colleagues, and clients.
Tears
A good long cry released much. There was nothing wrong with me or my shoulder. I was grieving. After releasing so many toxins I felt much better.
Did you know this about your tears? Read: 7 Good Reasons to Cry: the healing property of tears.
I cried again the next morning, January 1, 2021. This time in gratitude. Thankful for all the people who pivoted and made the Rose Parade happen. It’s not only my holiday tradition, but an international one too.
These tears were different.
“You know human beings are basically good.” ~Desmond Tutu
Yes, that’s precisely what we’ve all seen during 2020.
Then came January 6, 2021. Epiphany – a day some spend in celebrating the Wisemen coming to worship the Christ Child. The last day of the Christmas season.
Instead, it turned into a day of upheaval and turmoil.
More grief
Did you feel ungrounded by the end of the day as you watched, read, or heard about the incidents in our capitol?
I did. Overwhelming grief. Grief that brings up the deepest parts longing to be heard and healed. Emotions of sadness and anger triggered by my swirling thoughts.
So…
- I simply STOPPED.
- I remembered - we are all Americans.
- Then, I turned off the TV.
- And became still.
- Breathed.
- Breathed in. (Deep inhale.)
- Breathed out. (Cleansing exhale.)
- And listened to my body.
There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m grieving.
The Body tells the Truth and its language is metaphor.
How is your grief today? Hit reply and share your thoughts, discoveries, and feelings.
Love all around, above, below, to the left and to the right, before you and behind you,
Georgena
