Be in the moment
Sola Fide-102045 06/03 33404.0/1
One of the toughest parts of grief is being caught between 2 worlds...your old life and the new life that awaits you.
There is so much pressure placed on the bereaved to "get over it" or "get on with life" by well meaning family and friends, usually due to seeing someone they care about being unhappy.
If you've lost a loved one who meant the world to you, you know that "getting over it" doesn't happen.
But you can learn how to live life fully again and even truly love and enjoy it...but it does take time.
To avoid the pitfalls of further grief or loss, my advice is to learn to “Be in the moment.”
Although grief hurts very badly, strive to live life to the best of your ability and enjoy your loved ones who are still here. This can be challenging and difficult to do when grief is fresh but you'll be very grateful you did.
When my older sister's fiancé died, she made the decision to spend time with family and to live life as best as she could. It was only a short 3 weeks later that our oldest sister suddenly died on Thanksgiving Day.
The other day, my sister was sharing with me how glad she was that she had made the decision to spend time with our oldest sister so she didn't have further regret.
Today, even if you don't feel like it, spend time with those you love best. It may take baby steps to get back into fully living life, but you will be able to look back one day and be grateful you did.
Take the time you need and grieve how you need to grieve, but never feel guilty for living, loving, and enjoying life again once you are ready. Your loved one would truly want nothing more for you. They delighted in your happiness while they were alive, and they would still want for you to enjoy life now, even though they are no longer here.
It can be very sad to make new memories without your loved one...you can almost feel guilty...but if you have loved ones who are still in your life, please redeem the time with them as best as you can. We never know what can happen on any given day, but it is wise to always be in the moment God has blessed you with...right here, right now.
It may take time, and may even be difficult at first, but take baby steps today back into enjoying life and your remaining loved ones. Ask God to show you how to create a "new normal" so you can fulfill His will for your life. You will not regret it.
