You Don't Have to Walk Alone

Monday Mourning:

You Don’t Have to Walk Alone

I don’t know why, but for many, pain pushes us into isolation.

It might be due to our own instinct to withdraw and suffer alone.  Another contributing factor could be that those looking in are uncomfortable with pain and they turn away.  Understanding pain and gaining a hopeful confidence about suffering might be a step in the right direction.  First, pain is beneficial because it indicates that something is wrong and needs attending to.  Whether it is physical or emotional pain, the very existence of it is useful, or otherwise we would carry on and seriously hurt ourselves.  Second, pain shared disperses the weight of it and can bring the appropriate help.  Third, shared pain brings a depth of mutual understanding that nothing else can imitate.  Consider this thought, "Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can; and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys"~ Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869).  So when we are tempted to isolate, take the courageous step and find someone with whom to share your pain.  A Czech proverb says it well, "Do not protect yourself from grief by a fence, but rather by your friends.”  May I encourage you to take the step out of isolation and connect with a grief support group, a neighbor, friend or trusted family member, a professional counselor, or stay connected to this blog.   You and your grief need support from others who have traveled the dark path of loss.  Please let us be there for you.