In this guest blog I am sharing the wisdom of Grief Recovery Specialist, Russell Friedman, from The Grief Recovery Institute. I hope you find this blog helpful.
There are hordes of expressions that swirl around the twin topics of grief and recovery. Unfortunately, many of them are not helpful when we find ourselves stuck in the middle of grieving situations. We have been socialized to believe that sadness, which is the normal response to sad news or sad memories, is somehow a reduction rather than an appropriate response. Years ago the Republican National Convention was held in San Diego. One of the keynote speakers was former First Lady, Nancy Reagan. By that point in time, President Reagan was already under the impact of full-blown Alzheimer’s disease. As Mrs. Reagan spoke, she cried, openly and honestly. What a perfect representation of emotional truth for all the world to see. That’s what we thought. But not so, thought the Los Angeles Times. On August 12, 1996, the Los Angeles Times ran a headline stating – Nancy Reagan loses composure in a tribute to her ailing husband. Why do we know about this? Because on August 13, 1996, we wrote a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times. Here is a copy of that letter:
“We have been interviewed and quoted many times in the Los Angeles Times View and Life Style section as experts on the topic of grief and recovery. Our constant refrain is that “grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss.” Nancy Reagan, along with millions of others, has experienced a major loss in response to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on President Reagan. Even those with opposing political views share a sense of sadness when thinking about him. Since grief is normal and natural, so is crying. Crying is not losing composure. Crying is a natural and healthy response to loss or reminder of loss. Sadness and happiness are equal. We would no more wish to take away someone’s sadness than we would take away their joy. Please do not fall into the trap of identifying sadness as negative or something to be avoided. Millions read your paper. Please let us give them accurate language about human emotions.”
We signed the letter as the principals of The Grief Recovery Institute. Of course, you’re wondering if the Times ever published the letter. Bet you won’t be surprised to find out they did not. As a society we pride ourselves on our progress, but when it comes to crying and grief, and the honest emotions connected to loss, we often seem to be going in the wrong direction.
Retrieved from https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/blog/2004/03/crying-not-losing-composure
Canadian Grief Recovery Method Specialist, Tammy Adams, loves to problem solve, inspire and motivate others who are ready and committed to change. Tammy has spent over 30 years in the field of education and as a Certified Life and Executive Coach Tammy teaches individuals to challenge and conquer their limiting beliefs and insecurities to create the life of their choosing. As a Grief Recovery Method Specialist Tammy understands that unresolved grief can limit an individual’s capacity for happiness and is gifted at supporting individuals through the pain and isolation cause by an emotional loss, of any kind, to a place of happiness they believed no longer existed. A Tammy client testimonial, “Tammy helped me unpack the baggage and put a smile on my face in the process. It’s a rare quality for someone to fully listen without judgement but yet still steer you in the right direction.”