Russell Friedman

“Depression” - if someone feels sad, one frequently throws the word.

A Commonly used phrase, "I felt depressed."

Chuck the internet, spews out misinformation, seek qualified sources in the field.

For Mental Health, always, always seek out professional, who is trained in the field.

I repeat, Always, Always seek out professional, get yourself educated.

So, Why read this work?

Someone shared with me a story.

This person shared, how they were trying to become a doctor.

The narrative of Tamil Nadu, become a doctor or engineer -- if not, you're a failure.

This person said, I fell into depression - really? They had become a Teacher.

Was it Depression or Grief?

But is it true, Depression? Misinformation, false labels create false beliefs.

Maybe it was Grief i.e loss of a dream? Do their parents know about this, nope! Wrong!

Another Story, A Tamil Girl goes through relationship break up, her friends say, “Move On”, “Time heals.”

This is all wrong stuff to say to the person according to Professionals.

Ouch, if you are a Man — painful truth, maybe want to be accurate with your oneself i.e self-awareness.

Most Men would not accept that they want to grow or have an area that they need to work on in their life - Why? Pride, Lack of growth mindset.

Emotional isolation is a major problem for grievers.

To Men:

1) Can you label your own emotions?
2) Can you express how you feel?
3) Can you feel about your own feelings?
4) If your loved ones are crying, can you sit with them, feel their feelings, instead of trying to fix it?

Many Women want to be felt heard, felt loved, felt appreciated, not fix stuff for them.

Maybe you’d say, “Oh, she went emotional.” Maybe, not.

Perhaps, time to work on this area of your life.

If you do, you'd enjoy higher-quality relationships in your life.

What is Grief?

“Grief, normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind.”

Grief is by definition emotional.

“Grief is the conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior.“

What is happening in the midst of Grief?

You may have experienced a loss of trust in a parent, a loss of trust in God, or a loss of trust in any other relationship.

There are two very distinct probabilities following a loss:
(1) your religious or spiritual faith may be shattered or shaken
(2) regardless of the nature of the loss, your faith is undamaged.

A LOSS OF ALIVENESS

So, What does one do with Grief?

Two words not to use for Grief:
-guilt
-survivor

Many people use this as a narrative.

Recovery means claiming your circumstances instead of your circumstances claiming you and your happiness.

Recovery is finding new meaning for living, without the fear of being hurt again.


What are the misinformations about Grief?

Misinformations:

1. Don’t feel bad.
2. Replace the loss.
3. Grieve alone.
4. Just give it time.
5. Be strong for others.
6. Keep busy.

“grief just takes time,” the next most difficult hurdle for grievers to overcome is the incorrect belief that other people or events are responsible for their feelings.”

“Get a hold of yourself.”
“You can’t fall apart.”
“Keep a stiff upper lip.”
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
“We understand how you feel.”
“Be thankful you have other children.”
“The living must go on.”
“He’s in a better place.”
“All things must pass.”
“She led a full life.”
“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
“You shouldn’t be angry with God.”

“I can forgive, but I can’t forget.”

“I can forgive, but I can’t forget” is that, since I cannot forget, I will not forgive.

But ask yourself: Who stays in jail?

Who continues to resent and shut down his or her own mind, body, and heart?

Whose life is limited by the lack of forgiveness?

So, How does one go back to meaningful life?

One can do with a partner or alone.

1. Create Loss history Graph
2. Create Relationship History Graph

Three things involved:
- Be Totally Honesty
-Be Absolute Confidentiality
-Bring Uniqueness and Individuality

Avoid Pitfalls:

Avoid monologue, consider rather discussing.
Avoid becoming analytical, critical, or judgmental.

Go through them, Be Honest.

Expressing incomplete Grief:

Apologies
Forgiveness
Significant Emotional Statements


Write a Letter with this, Do not send to the living person. Send to a trusted Friend.

P.S: I’m not a Professional. Always reach out to Professionals, self-educate about yourself, your family story.

I'd reiterate, read basic works, get yourself educated, meet Professionals in the field.

I'd recommend this work, the core of this book is the process of Grief.

Deus Vult,
Gottfried… (meer)