~grief

Dear one, let's journey together through a tender landscape of the heart. This is an invitation to explore the Fourth Gate of Grief, a realm where we acknowledge the unmet longings of our lives. Think back to your childhood. Remember the hopes and dreams you held, the love and nurturing you craved. Now, gently notice the spaces where life fell short of those expectations. This gate opens to the grief of what should have been but wasn't – the loving parent, the safe home, the supportive community, or the opportunities that never came. This isn't about blame. It's about honoring the child within who still yearns for what was missing. That child is still a part of you, carrying those unfulfilled needs. By acknowledging this grief, we begin to tend to those long-neglected parts of ourselves. You might feel a heaviness in your chest or a lump in your throat as you read this. That's okay. These feelings are signposts, guiding us to the places that need our loving attention. As we step through this gate, we learn to cradle our younger selves with compassion. We whisper to that inner child, "I see you. I hear you. Your longings were valid." This act of self-love begins to fill the empty spaces left by unmet needs. Remember, this journey isn't about dwelling in the past. It's about freeing ourselves from old pain so we can live more fully in the present. By grieving what we didn't receive, we open ourselves to receiving the goodness life offers now. You're not alone in this. Countless others walk this path, each with their own unmet expectations. In recognizing this shared human experience, we find connection and healing. So, dear one, are you ready to open this gate? To hold space for the grief of…

Dear one, There's a world of sorrow out there, isn't there? The melting glaciers, the dying forests, the polluted oceans. Sometimes it feels like too much to bear. But what if I told you that your heartbreaking for the world is not just normal – it's necessary? Welcome to the Third Gate of Grief: The Sorrows of the World. This gate invites us to feel the pain of our planet, our communities, and all living beings. It's about recognizing that we're not separate from the world around us. Your grief for the earth is a testament to your love, your connection, your belonging. Remember when you were little, and you cried over a hurt animal or a fallen tree? That innocent, open-hearted child is still within you. This gate asks us to reconnect with that part of ourselves – the part that feels deeply and loves without hesitation. It's okay if this feels overwhelming. Take a deep breath. You're safe here. Feeling the sorrows of the world doesn't mean you have to fix everything. It's about being present, bearing witness. It's about honoring the pain and letting it move through you. Like rain falling on parched earth, this grief can nourish your soul and spark compassion. As you step into this gate, you might feel: A deep ache for the beauty being lost Anger at the destruction you see Helplessness in the face of big problems A renewed sense of connection to all life All of these feelings are welcome. They're signs of your humanity, your empathy, your aliveness. By embracing this grief, you're not just healing yourself – you're participating in the healing of the world. Your tears are a form of activism. Your open heart is a revolutionary act in a world that often turns away. So, dear…