when somebody else tries to tell you how you should grieve smile and forgive them through your watering eyes and then imagine how lonely it must be to be the person who audits the tears of other people the well intended will tell you how long you should miss your beloved but you take your time grief is a hedge maze and being lost inside of it is more than okay don't race through your heartache because you might just miss a miracle or two in the teardrops rolling down your face don't grieve quickly just to make somebody else feel better if you need to, let your grief become a coral reef let the algae of your hurt slowly form over the years into the softest violet hue of heaven it can take two lifetimes to recover when our beloved becomes an empty chair it's okay take as much time as you need your healing is your healing and the scars of absence will itch longer than you can imagine but that is because you risked to love so deeply and that is far better than the alternative I am proud of you and the courage it takes for you to grieve so fearlessly don't listen to those who want you to go back to normal normal will never exist again for those of us who have lost a part of our heart if the moon broke in half would it feel normal? ~ to hell with normal normal was their scent on your collar normal was their voice resting in your ear normal was their touch on your skin you have a new normal now it's looking at the shape of clouds for messages from the great beyond that your beloved is fine you have a new normal now it's building a cabin in the woods of your memory where you and your beloved can meet for lunch you have a new normal now it's crying and laughing at the same time whenever their favorite song plays on the radio grief isn't the enemy of life numbness is don't become numb to your suffering welcome your grief inside and let it wrap you up like a blanket whenever shows up at your door ~ it's okay I swear ~ it's okay your beloved misses you just as much as you miss them and someday you two will get all tangled up together again someday you two will push each on a swing again under a shower of falling blooms and someday you two will ride comets together on the edge of everything and someday you two will giggle at all of the people who tried to tell you how to grieve ~ john roedel (from “Upon Departure”) ~ Photo: Daniel Radford
Have you ever dreamed of a summer sleepaway camp designed for your spirit?
If so, join me and the remarkable Chantal Morales McKinney for a soulful journey at our 4-day retreat, "Freedom to Seek: Adventure into the Wild Divine," from June 17-20, 2024, at the stunning Kanuga Center in North Carolina.
Imagine a time dedicated to restoration, laughter, community, self-discovery, storytelling and the kind of deep spiritual nourishment that invites growth for our souls.
We'll dive into writing exercises that have helped unlock the deepest parts of my heart, bringing me closer to the Divine, and I'll share stories and poetry that weave the sacred into everyday life.
Chantal, a lifelong seeker with a rich background as a writer, speaker, and spiritual guide, will join us to celebrate and invite us to explore and expand our understanding of self in relation to the Divine.
Together, we'll challenge limiting beliefs and cultivate practices that foster spiritual wellness, grounded in Chantal's deep love for the Divine Feminine and her extensive experience in both spirituality and religion.
This 4-day retreat is a sanctuary for all spiritual seekers, offering a pause to reflect, explore, and connect.
Embarking on this new journey excites me, and I look forward to welcoming you into this transformative experience. Let's embark on this beautiful adventure together!
For more details and to reserve your spot, follow the link below:
Grief is a Coral Reef (AUDIO)