The concept of finding meaning in life while living with tragedy sparked something in me and opened me up to the possibility there could be some gifts and blessings that might arise from our trauma of losing Patrick.  In the beginning, it can feel wrong to give ourselves permission to feel anything other than total despair and heartbreak over the loss of our loved one.  We think we must stay in the sadness to honor our love.

Rediscovering joy and acknowledging the gifts does not mean we love them any less.  On the contrary, they want us to rise up somehow and experience happiness, laughter, and fun again.  They want us to soak up the goodness when it shows up in our lives.

I learned that I can feel deep sadness while at the same time immersing myself in the gifts.  The two can co-exist simultaneously.  It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

By encouraging you to focus on the gifts that have and will come from your loss, my intention is to offer you another dimension for your grief experience.  If you can broaden your view to notice the gifts that represent hope and healing, you may find that your heart feels a little lighter; there’s a gentle reprieve from your pain, even for a moment.

Identifying the blessings is a way to soften the piercingly sharp edges of the pain.  Some days this felt impossible for me, but slowly I began to see them.  I started to realize that from an unimaginable loss, beautiful gifts were available to us.

This piece is excerpted from The Gifts From Losing You: Finding Meaning In Life While Living With Tragedy: Green, Sara: 9781736241301: Amazon.com: Books

Read more from Sara Green: https://www.opentohope.com/nothing-can-prepare-you/

Sara Green

Sara Green is a wellness entrepreneur. Her passion for health began during her decade-long career in nursing. She went on to study with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become certified as a holistic health coach. Sara’s genuine empathy and ability to tune into her client’s unique needs allows her to facilitate the best possible outcomes for those seeking her expertise and guidance. Sara has given many presentations and workshops and has co-hosted wellness retreats. She has also led group coaching programs. She sees clients one-on-one in her private practice. With a special interest in women’s health, she bases her teachings on the fundamental principles of unconditional self-love, self-compassion, and self-acceptance. She wholeheartedly believes that they are the anchors for finding peace within. Sara takes an intuitive approach to nutrition, movement, and life. She helps her clients discover their own path to a healthier, happier, and more connected way of living. She goes deeper to uncover the root cause of their health concerns, with an understanding that the mind, body, and spirit are one. Sara is originally from Melbourne, Australia and currently lives in Cleveland, USA with her husband Chris and daughters Annabelle and Matilda. Her son Patrick passed away in an accident in 2019, and The Gifts From Losing You is a poignant account of their first year grieving his passing. saragreenhealthcoach.com Instagram: @saragreenhealthcoach Facebook.com/saragreenhealthcoach YouTube Channel: Sara Green Health Coach

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