Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Cope with a Major Loss
Commentary by Peter Shepherd

“The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Those people are beautiful because having suffered themselves, they have learned humility and courage, and they can now feel for others in similar predicaments. Life's inevitable disappointments, breakups with friends and family, broken hearts and lost dreams will, if you allow them, make you bitter, resentful and angry. Or you may learn from your experiences in such a way that you grow more forgiving, grateful, wise, compassionate and happy.
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no separation.” ~ Rumi
Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith... It is the price of love. The capacity to grieve is as much a part of us as the capacity to love. Where there is great grief, there was and there remains great love. Tears are liquid love. Grief is love's unwillingness to let go. But we can accept and absorb grief and let it go, because the separation of grief is an illusion... Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.
“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness and the word happiness would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” ~ C.G. Jung
Grief isn't like an illness we recover from. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we would do better to celebrate the life of our loved one, have gratitude for our experiences together, treasure the memories we keep, and continue to hold the person close to our heart forever. When the process of grief is complete we come to a place of acceptance and inner peace. Our love is still embraced, not forgotten.


Article about coping with a major loss...
10 Steps to Heal Your Grief ~ by Roe Ziccarello
Here are10 practical self-help steps for someone going through the grieving process. These tips are excerpted from my ebook, Evolving Through Grief. I am an unwitting authority on bereavement, grief, suffering and sorrow - I've lost my sister, two best friends, two brothers, mother, father, brother in law, and my son. Continues...
A further article about coping with a major loss...
The Morning After Mourning ~ by Chuck Gallozzi
We may escape the ravages of killer earthquakes and hurricanes, but we cannot escape from the need for mourning because one day we will lose a loved one. The time to think about mourning is now, before the need arises, for when that day comes, we'll be too distraught to think clearly. Continues...