Heeding Our “Emotional” Heart We hear statements such as “He has a broken heart”, “My heart is sad”, “That is a heartache” and we understand that a person is going through a sad and hurtful experience. We associate our heart with emotions; painful, sad, and joyful. Does our heart really break or are we…
Understanding Trauma and Loss
Understanding Trauma and Loss As our culture and society becomes more accepting of mental health as an intricate component of each person’s overall health there is now more interest in the concept and impact of trauma and traumatic events on physical and mental wellbeing. Information, educational programs and environmental cultural shifts are occurring in all…
Healing through Helping
Healing through Helping When we are in emotional pain it is difficult to think of anything but the pain we are experiencing and the cause of the pain. We can be “stuck” in the pain and that keeps us from healing and moving forward in our lives. Emotional pain, like the physical pain we experience…
The Many Faces of Healing
The Many Faces of Healing The definitions of healing include the following: To restore to health or soundness; cure; To set right; repair: To restore (a person) to spiritual wholeness. In our society we use the term “healing” in many context, most align with one of the official definitions. Physical Healing: Primarily we…
May You Live to be One Hundred
May You Live to be One Hundred A famous proverb states: “May you live to be a one hundred and may I live to be 99” The first time I heard that proverb I though “How wise and how true” because none of us wants to outlive those we love. Nobody wants to be “last”.…
Four Tips on Coping with Pet Loss
Four Tips on Coping with Pet Loss Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. Following are some tips on coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet. 1. Am I…
Foot Prints on Our Hearts
Foot Prints on Our Hearts There is a quote that says, “ When your parents dies you lose your past, when your spouse dies you lose your present and when your child dies you lose your future”. Children are not supposed to die before their parents. It does not fit in with our sense of…
Creating Healing Environments in the Home
Creating Healing Environments in the Home To support children’s mental health and social development it is important to assist them in understanding their feelings and modeling effective methods of communicating their needs in ways which will be received positively by those in their community (home, school etc). This will assure that their needs are met…
Balancing the Past and the Present during the Holidays
Balancing the Past and the Present during the Holidays For those who have experienced great losses, whether loss of loved ones, separation from family, or other tragedies our emotions during the holidays are always a balancing act. The awareness of missing those who are not with us is offset by the festive surroundings as others…
Handling Grief and Loss during the Holidays
Handling Grief and Loss during the Holidays Holiday festivities, especially at Christmas, present challenges as we grieve the passing of a loved one. Music, decorations and seasonal activities remind us of past celebrations, bringing back memories that can create strong feelings of sadness. Knowing that these feelings are normal and planning the activities in which…