HEALING RITUALS TO COMFORT THE MIND

Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions from the internet and various books or websites that offer a variety of ways to heal the body, mind, soul and spirit during the grief journey.  For the next month, I will be sharing these suggestions with you and hope you take some of them to heart during your healing journey.   

God be with you in the days ahead….

HEALING RITUALS TO COMFORT THE MIND:

1) Visit family and friends or have them visit you.  It’s good to get away for an afternoon, day, week or whatever and return home to your grief work.

2) Write each day.   Keep a journal of your grief journey experience.  You will look back and see that things are changing over the months, even if you feel stuck today.

3) Paint your emotions, your dreams and your memories – even if you’ve never painted before.  Try vibrant colors or oil pastels or watercolors.  Painting and drawing can calm the emotions.  Don’t judge your artistic merit.  

4) Read books related to your particular loss.  Make a list and share them with others when they need them.  You can check online or a hospice or public library.

5) Read poetry that speaks to your grief.  Try Mary Oliver’s “Thirst” or Stephen Levine’s “Breaking the Drought.”  Read poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, Rumi, and Emily Dickinson.

6) Look at the sky.  Notice all the nature around you and the change of seasons

7) If you are alone, invite animals into your life.  Enjoy the sounds of birds or watch a fish tank. 

8) Be with a friend who is warm and soothing and allows you to weep.

9).  Be purposeful about doing something that taps into your creative self so you can experience a sense of creative joy.

10). Don't forget to laugh and honor your feelings in any given moment.  Laugher is the best medicine for sadness.

9) Listen to music that brings you joy or moved you to tears.  Move with your grief.  Your body needs to cry.

10) Reach out to others in need.  

11) Call someone else you know is lonely.

12) Wrap yourself up in your loved one’s favorite blanket or shirt to feel their comfort and warmth. 

13)   Reach out and touch someone with a hug.  Touch is a vital experience during grief.

14) Remind yourself that there is still good in your life.  Notice beauty wherever you find it.  Notice the gifts of human kindles and friendship.  Along with lamenting your loss, consciously and purposefully praise what remains.

15) Be patient with yourself.  Be patient with your grief process.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

For more information visit https://www.chaplainmary.net/
Or check out my book:

https://www.amazon.com/Skirting-Thin-Veil-Meaningful-Life-Changing

Photo from the internet


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