Last night I stayed overnight with a very close relative. I was on the last leg of a long 700 mile toad trip for a family wedding. It was a hard journey, so many people on the road and lots of road construction. I’m looking forward to going home and being in my little cocoon and continuing to heal from my recent loss.
A few things I have learned and experienced along the way as I walk through these days
- Allow myself to feel and not to resist anything. Cry, sing, dance, even be explosive with my emotions if necessary (don’t hurt anyone in the process).
- Practice staying in the present moment. This is especially important when I am with others. However, when alone, if I allow myself to live in the past or the future I am not doing myself any service. This is not to say I don’t or won’t grieve, I do. I feel the heartache of loss, then I breathe into it and follow it to the present moment.
- Be about what makes me happy and shy away from what makes me sad. Right now I am looking at a lot of new recipes because I love food and I love to be creative in the kitchen.
- Follow my creative impulses. These include getting my hands in the dirt, writing, acrylics, walking, kayaking, and biking as much as possible.
- Write notes and letters to those that have supported me on the journey and help others that need assistance.
There is no way around it, loss is hard and heartbreaking. Pain is part of the Earth experience and I embrace it and choose Not to suffer through it. This is my way of dealing with it. I also continue to ask myself as I have for years, what do I need to know right now?
The answer to that question is easy in this moment: gratitude and forgiveness are two huge components to life. I feel very loved and supported. I may not see or hear from a lot of people. And that’s ok. Because I know, I know, I know that I am more than flesh and blood and life is about the journey. We are powerful creators and my life is mine to create.
Much love you friends, Julia
Julia Parsell is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with an emphasis on the intersection of science and the sacred. She writes from experiences and transformative understandings that have led her to an authentic and peaceful life. She goes by these names: mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As home educator of her three children, she also developed/ran cafes, and maintained various leadership roles within her community. Her greatest desire is to encourage others to live life fully. Her passions are family, art creation, writing, and trail blazing. She loves her life in Western North Carolina. This is a recent picture of me at the Grand Canyon with my long time pup, Rocky, 12.
