vacation

This time of year, especially during the summer months many of us plan to take some well deserved vacations. A respite from the day to day is a warm welcome when you have been working really hard. It gives us something to look forward to and serves as a distraction from the usual routine. We can spend a lot of effort planning the perfect holiday or getaway with the anticipation and excitement for a wonderful time with family and or friends. What if we could allow ourselves to take a vacation from our grief? Wouldn’t that be nice to give ourselves permission to take a little break from the sadness and the pains that accompany us while we are grieving? Knowing we do not need to ever fully let go of our grief if that is what we need to do for now, but that it is ok to take a little break from it once in awhile can be a life saver. Slowly we can begin to allow moments of joy to coexist with our grief. I believe this is healthy and somewhat necessary as a coping mechanism. Maybe once in awhile it is alright to say to yourself in the morning, just for today I will not feel my grief. I will set it aside, just for today, and I can go back to it tomorrow. It’s not going anywhere, it will always be a part of me. But, just knowing the grief will someday not be as intense can make it easier to deal with. So just for today, if you are hurting with grief, try allowing yourself to try focusing on gratitude and joy instead of pain and hurt. Remember your loved one in Spirit wants you to enjoy a little break from the pain. They are right there with you, wanting you to enjoy a wonderful vacation from your grief!