“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
Death is a subject that I have openly talked about whenever I was asked that age old question ‘Are you afraid of death?’
On each occasion I have answered simply with ‘No.’. This isn’t due to a deep rooted religious belief, neither an act of bravery but I have come to accept death.
Over the course of two years, I had lost both an uncle and a grandfather and that is when it dawned to me that our lives are wonderful yet short, of course… Naturally the grieving stage is important as it allows us to reflect on their lives and be able to reminisce over old memories and also rediscover memories we thought we lost.
Just very recently I lost another uncle, one that I had the honour of meeting and be able to create fond memories that will be with me till the end. Grieving for everyone can differ, but when it comes down to it… allowing your emotions to be set free is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Grief lets us know that we have loved.
We are all humans and while we cling onto life and enjoy the beauty that life brings us, we all should be able to accept death and understand that it’s natural. While true, it may be easier said than done, I do believe that death as a concept should not be feared but be able to understood and accepted.
Grieving is never easy and I can honestly say from my own experience, how it can affect one’s wellbeing.
If you are reading this and currently grieving, or you know someone that has lost someone close to them… then let me remind you that you are brave and whatever current stage of the grieving process you are in then I implore you to turn to close family and friends and allow yourself to be honest about your feelings.
Holding back emotions and putting on a ‘brave front’ is never wise and could result in a damaging effect in the long run.
Peace.
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