Good Grief

By Natasha J. Rosewood

"I'm fine," my client responded to my question about her recent break-up. While she wore a brave smile, her body language portrayed a much older and deeper grief.

Unresolved grief manifests in many different forms. While insanity, cancer, paranoia and depression are extreme manifestations of unexpressed sorrow, I am also witness to loss of productivity, sabotaging behaviors and ongoing malaise. "Just get over it," is a clich in our culture for a reason. But despite our disdain of it, grieving is good. If you are tired of feeling tired, here is a 12-tip process that could start you on your journey to clearing your grief and celebrating full emotional health:

1. Name your pain - identify the event and the date.
2. Acknowledge your challenges and how each one affected you.
3. Write a story about each one as it happened to you.
4. Write another version as if it happened to someone else.
5. Write another version as if you had chosen the learning.
6. Write the final story as if it was the funniest thing that had ever happened.
7. Find a witness (friend or therapist) who you can validate your pain.
8. Feel compassion for yourself.
9. If depression persists, check in with a therapist.
10. Ask yourself how could this experience promote your spiritual growth?
11. Know that this experience was designed to remind you of your greatness.
12. Move forward in joy!

Natasha J. Rosewood is an international Psychic Coach and Spirit Healer, Author of "Aaagh! I Thought You Were Dead (And Other Psychic Adventures)," host of the TV show Wake Up! Body, Mind, and Spirit, and a facilitator of numerous workshops and seminars.