According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, when we're dying or have suffered a catastrophic loss, we all move through five distinct stages of grief. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance.
We go into denial because the loss is so unthinkable we can't imagine it's true. We become angry with everyone, angry with survivors, angry with ourselves. Then we bargain. We beg. We plead. We offer everything we have, we offer our souls in exchange for just one more day. When the bargaining has failed and the anger is too hard to maintain, we fall into depression, despair, until finally we have to accept that we've done everything we can. We let go. We let go and move into acceptance.
The dictionary defines grief as keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret. As surgeons, as scientists, we're taught to learn from and rely on books, on definitions, on definitives. But in life, strict definitions rarely apply. In life, grief can look like a lot of things that bear little resemblance to sharp sorrow.
Grief may be a thing we all have in common, but it looks different on everyone. It isn't just death we have to grieve. It's life. It's loss. It's change. And when we wonder why it has to suck so much sometimes, has to hurt so bad. The thing we gotta try to remember is that it can turn on a dime.
That's how you stay alive. When it hurts so much you can't breathe, that's how you survive. By remembering that one day, somehow, impossibly, you won't feel this way. It won't hurt this much. Grief comes in its own time for everyone, in its own way. So the best we can do, the best anyone can do, is try for honesty. The really crappy thing, the very worst part of grief is that you can't control it.
The best we can do is try to let ourselves feel it when it comes. And let it go when we can. The very worst part is that the minute you think you're past it, it starts all over again. And always, every time, it takes your breath away.
Grief doesn't necessarily be the mourning of a death. It can be the mourning the loss of a relationship, a friendship, a dream, or yourself. As long as its a loss, there will be grief and there will be mourning. Sometimes, the 5 stages of grief doesn't come immediately. Sometimes it takes a while to take effect on you. Sometimes grief can last a long long time, depending on the situation. Sometimes, we just never get out of it.
How do you stop grieving over the loss of yourself? Do you ever stop mourning? Do you ever get over it? How do you finally accept it? Do you have to accept it?
I realize I'm still mourning over alot of things. And finally, blessedly, it's come to the acceptance stage. Things will be better, I just know it.
Happy Monday People.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
a stumbling, cliche case ..
Where do we go from here?
How do we carry on?
I can't get beyond the questions ... Clambering for the scrapsin the shatter of us collapsed. It cuts me with every "could have been."
ps: ego is the beauty of us
How do we carry on?
I can't get beyond the questions ... Clambering for the scrapsin the shatter of us collapsed. It cuts me with every "could have been."
ps: ego is the beauty of us
Thursday, September 24, 2009
seeing me pt2.
Today ..
It's time to take a larger view of my life and how my recent actions might have affected my path. I took a turn down a new road -- was it the right decision?
"Think about it and figure it out before I continue going any further".
I need to be more reflective about my actions, and add some more discipline into my life.
I'm tryna hold myself back from falling into temptations.
It's time to take a larger view of my life and how my recent actions might have affected my path. I took a turn down a new road -- was it the right decision?
"Think about it and figure it out before I continue going any further".
I need to be more reflective about my actions, and add some more discipline into my life.
I'm tryna hold myself back from falling into temptations.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
seeing me.
I have never been particularly immature, but lately I've been noticing a certain shift in myself. This change could really crystallize when I see myself behaving in an unfamiliar way in a familiar situation.
Maybe I'm calmer.
Maybe I don't take things as personally.
Maybe I stay objective.
Maybe I'm seeing what it's like to be an adult.
Maybe I'm calmer.
Maybe I don't take things as personally.
Maybe I stay objective.
Maybe I'm seeing what it's like to be an adult.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
reuter?
Can you believe it?
From the very day it all started,
I will continue to hold you dear,
Though you and I know how pessimistic my optimism is,
I still think, dream and hope for our bright future ahead,
I still think, dream and hope for our bright future ahead,
You being nearest to my heart for all time.
And I, predominantly having thoughts of you on my mind,
What if I said I need you for the rest of my life and hopefully thereafter,
Would it be out of line?
swim with me upstream for throughout the years
visualize this beautiful dream through the waterfall of tears.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
imma sillyyy romantic.
" Tell you the worst of me and try to give you the best of me because you don't deserve any less and answer your questions when I'd rather not and tell you the truth when I really don’t want to and try to be honest because I know you prefer it and think it's all over but hang on in for just ten more minutes before you throw me out of your life and forget who I am and let me try to get closer to you because somehow, somehow, somehow communicate some of the overwhelming undying overpowering unconditional all-encompassing heart-enriching mind-expanding on-going never-ending love I have for you."
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