Grief and Gratitude (It’s Bittersweet)

Let the Verse Flow: Personal Growth Thru a Creative Lens

Grief and gratitude can be two sides of the same coin. They do a sort of dance, especially as we contemplate the loss of a family member or loved one during the holidays.

Find out how a simple fingertip pulse oximeter box sparked great sadness in me, and then deep gratitude. As my mom transitions into advanced dementia, I’m struck by how often my sadness turns to gratitude. For if we love deeply and have been loved deeply, we are privy to one of humanity's greatest gifts.
The price we pay for our lover’s soft hand, our uncle’s legendary bear hugs, and our mother’s nurturing gestures is the grief we feel when we lose them. But if we reflect on that grief we find that it wouldn’t exist if we weren’t blessed by their love in the first place. If we accept the love, we must accept the grief and hope that we recognize our blessings with gratitude. We come full circle and manifest our purpose.

In this episode, I touch on this dance between grief and gratitude and offer three quotes to use as journal prompts to help you reflect on how these emotions play out in your life.

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

Have a listen, then connect with me at lettheverseflow.com to sign up for my newsletter and receive journal prompts and resources on creativity and personal growth.

Poem: A Smile Remains

Music: (My thanks to all the musicians who make incredible music and have the courage to put it out into the world. All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.)

Songs in this episode: Where Do We Go From Here (Feat. Jessie Villa) by Nu Alkemi$t; Winning Streak by JeesGuy; Sencilla by Cast Of Characters; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters

LTVF Season One Music Playlist: Check out the songs that inspire me, and connect with artists from many genres who add to our collective, human soundtrack.

Resources:
Grief and Gratitude

Are Grief and Gratitude Mutually Exclusive?

Quotes on Grief & Gratitude for Journaling:

1. Grief and gratitude are two sides of the same coin, reminding us that even in loss, there is the currency of love. (Rumi)
2. Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them. (Leo Tolstoy)
3. Come back. Even as a shadow, even as a dream. (Euripides)

Related Episodes: The Loved Ones We Carry (Episode #6); Dealing with Dementia: Caregiver Tips & Journal Prompts (Episode #13)

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com