In Flanders Fields

May24

Written by

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

To read and download articles titled “7 Ways to Honor a Loved One’s Memory” and “Suicide Among Veterans” please visit www.grief-recovery.org

Hannah’s Prayer: A Mother’s Heart

May5

samuel-brought-to-eli“O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life…” 1 Samuel 1:11

The bible does not tell how many years, months and weeks Hannah beseeched God for a child. We do know that she desperately wanted one and promised to give him back to God after he was weaned. God heard Hannah’s prayer and blessed her with a son. She in turn, honored her part of the bargain and gave Samuel back to the Lord. As the story unfolds we know that “…Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men” (1 Samuel 2:26). 

What is the desire of our hearts?  Do we pray for a new house? A new car? A new job? If our prayer is answered will we use it to honor God? While God delights in blessing His children, He also expects us to “walk in His ways” (Psalm 128:1) and to use His gifts to bless others and glorify the “Giver.”

While Mother’s Day is primarily dedicated to honoring mothers, with a little stretch of the imagination, we can use it as a day to extend our “gifts” and share our blessings.

To read and download FREE articles on Healing From Loss please visit www.grief-recovery.org

Why Am I Still Depressed?

Apr14

 DSCN0094r“In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

One of the most common symptoms of grieving is depression. It’s not unusual to experience sadness again and again as you progress through your healing journey. This may cause you to wonder if you’re sliding backward rather than moving forward. However, you must not allow times of regression to discourage you. See them instead as evidence that you are healing but need to do more work at that particular stage. Feelings of depression are especially common during holidays and other days that hold special significance, such as anniversaries and birthdays. Knowing ahead of time what to expect and preparing yourself for the possibility that you’ll experience a resurgence of emotions will help minimize the impact.

True healing requires that you accept your loss, choose to let go and move forward in a new direction. Surrounding yourself with people who are understanding and supportive reminds you that you’re not alone. Attending grief recovery support groups or workshops allows you to connect with others who are experiencing similar emotions and can provide insight and encouragement. Involvement in the community or in a project geared toward helping others can serve to take your attention away from yourself and your pain and give you a broader perspective. Several studies support the premise that helping others, even if it means pushing yourself to do it, benefits the giver as much as it does the recipient.

As you continue healing you’ll experience a lessening of grief and in time the memories associated with the severed relationship will be less painful. As you emerge whole and healed, your life may take an entirely different path–one that you may not have considered if it weren’t for the losses. Growing and learning from your experience and the demands that were placed upon you will also enable you to understand and empathize with others who may be facing a similar loss and need your help.

To read and download FREE articles on Healing From Loss please visit www.grief-recovery.org

God’s Wondrous Ways

Mar20

mt-rubidouxGod uses the ordinary to bring about extraordinary results. He delights in using His creation to accomplish His will and bring glory to His name. The mundane and familiar infused with His power becomes a mighty force unlike any other.

The following excerpt taken from an article written by Charles F. Stanley, challenges us to look beyond the familiar and commonplace. It brings us face-to-face with an all-knowing yet unfathomable God. The words are deeply profound and yet childlike in their simplicity….both ordinary and extraordinary.

 An Ordinary Tree—an Extraordinary Savior

 “Of all the things that God could have used to bring about His awesome plan for humanity. He chose to use a tree.

There were so many ways Jesus could have been executed—the Romans certainly never ran out of terrible ways to hasten a person’s death. Jesus could have been pierced with a bow and arrow or stoned to death. He could have been suffocated, decapitated, or burned—as were many others in the early church. Jesus could even have been killed quickly with a sword or javelin.

Why do you suppose that God’s plan included having Jesus nailed to a tree?

And what kind of tree could it have been? When its seed first dropped to the ground, did God notice it? Did He watch it sprout and grow, knowing it was to be the tree? Was His eye on it all those years while it was climbing skyward and gaining strength? When it was cut down and assembled, did He take special care to guide the hands of the carpenter? And when God first saw it in its final form—as the cross—did He weep because of what His Son would endure?”

To read and download FREE articles on Healing From Loss please visit www.grief-recovery.org

Movies and Romance

Feb9

casablanca GWTW RH

WSS

 

 

 

 

 

Top 12 Love Stories

1.   Casablanca (1942)

2.   Gone With the Wind (1939)

3.   West Side Story (1961)

4.   Roman Holiday (1953)

5.   An Affair to Remember (1957)

6.  The Way We Were (1973)

7.   Doctor Zhivago (1965)

8.   It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

9.   Love Story (1970)

10. City Lights (1931)

11. Annie Hall (1977)

12. My Fair Lady (1964)

 

Movies and Real Life  Romances

Woman of the Year (1942) – Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy

To Have and Have Not (1944) – Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

Stromboli (1950) – Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini

Cleopatra (1963) – Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

The Getaway (1972) – Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen

Days of Thunder (1990) – Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

Scream (1996) – Courteney Cox and David Arquette

The Daredevil (2003) – Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner

Mr and Mrs Smith (2005) – Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Twilight (2008) – Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

 

Read and download FREE articles on Healing From Loss at www.grief-recovery.org

Stick Out Your Toe and Your Foot Will Follow

Dec31

Step Bridge- HG

As the sun rises on a new year and the days, weeks and months unfold will you look back with joy or regret? Determine the answer to that question now by standing firm in your beliefs while remaining open to the endless possibilities.

  • Take a close look at your skill and abilities.
  • Set goals and pursue them diligently.
  • Reach out to others with love (expecting nothing in return).
  • Forgive an old grudge (you’ll be set free).
  • Take care of your health (you’ll reap the benefits).
  • Walk with confidence.
  • Regroup when necessary.
  • Stand-up when you fall.

Place your faith on the One who is faithful and determine to serve Him without reservation!  God is Love  (1 John 4:16).

NOTE: For ideas on setting and  reaching goals read my post (March 11) titled, “Dream Big and Make it Happen.” To read and download FREE articles on Healing From Loss please visit www.grief-recovery.org