I am writing this post because I know of some people who are deep in the depths of grief right now. They feel as if they are slipping into a very dark place and do not feel any hope at all. This is a scary place to be, not only for them, but for those of us who love them and feel helpless to guide them or say the right thing. Honestly, grief to this level is too much for the average person to assist with, and so I suggested they look into grief therapy. I hope they take my advice.
Last month in May the focus was on mental health, as May is National Mental Health Awareness month. Actually, we should focus on mental health all twelve months of the year, not just in May. During the entire year, it is important to make sure that when we are hurting, that we are not keeping things all bottled up inside of us. If there is no outlet for our hurt or anger, it will continue to fester and grow, which could damage not only our own health, but also adversely affect our relationships.
As suggested above, if the grief or issue is too big to tackle alone, please talk to someone; best friend, trusted teacher or peer. Or cry, scream, throw things (be careful with that one…its backfired on me!)…any way to get rid of the negative emotions that are swirling around inside your head. And know that when you come out on the other side, you will have grown a bit stronger due to the struggles you went through, and perhaps can help someone else at a later point with their own struggles.
This poem was written when I was very young. It can be found in my first book “Walk Through a Field of Flowers…”
When You Hurt
Sometimes it’s hard to understand
The way that things work out.
It’s hard to keep your spirit light
When your head is full of doubt.
It’s tough to know just who to trust
And who will let you down.
It’s hard to wear a smile
When your heart just wants to frown.
You long for someone’s tender touch
To wipe away a tear,
But you cry into your pillow
Because no one else is there.
And in the morning sunlight
You try so hard to smile
But in your heart you know the hurt
Is going to last awhile.
Eventually, you know the pain
Will gradually subside.
Still deep down you feel the anger
That you try so hard to hide.
You realize that life is strange
Yet still you question why.
But you’ll never know the answers
Until the day you die.
So still you go on living,
Although part of you is not.
You struggle with each passing day
With all the strength you’ve got.
And someday soon you’ll understand,
When the sun clears up the rain
Your spirit will be stronger,
Because it felt the pain.
-K.A. Bloch-
