Looks like Nana

Beware of "triggers"

Moving between stages of grief we experience diverse feelings which are impacted by "triggers" in forms of certain places (or types of places), activites, persons, foods, drinks, painting, photos, books, things owned by or associated a lost loved one ... even voice tone, resemblance, or an innocent remark by a stranger.

I remember coming out of an opera some years after my 'nana' passed, and getting into an elevator for the garage. My nana was extremely distictive and extremely loved by me and my big sister. We grew up with her (and our Pop-pop) for the first years of our lives.

There are so many fond memories. Nana was only about 5 feet tall (that's a stretch), while she was about 4 feet wide (slight over-exaggeration) -- but you get the idea. Her wonderful voice tone was rather high and a tad shaky, but in an endearing way. She was always, always, always watching out for me and my sister, and loving us. She made sure there was that huge basket of toys and games in the closet, air in the old bicycle tires when we got big enough to ride, and that all "scraps" would be saved for my sister and me to throw in the air over the white fence to the scavenging sea gulls.

How could I have imaged she would have a clone! There she was (the "trigger") a duplicate of my nana in the elevator of the opera-house. I was flooded with emotion and tears came. What would this lady think if I suddenly hugged her! I resisted, of course ... now it is years later and it still makes me tear. This is normal. It's okay to miss a loved one a lot. Even knowing, as I am certain, that we will see them again some day, it's still hard to bear any barring separation. So, yes, we can be with the individual in our heart and soul -- and yes, this is real and tangible and good -- but it takes some training of thought and emotion coupled with spiritual understanding to achieve the strength and balance of this demonstration.

The Scriptures say that we are to "comfort" one another with the same "comfort" that helps us.

	2Co 1:4	Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=comforted+of+God&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

What is most comforting to me came with a near-death experience decades ago when my nana's sister, Aunt Lil, who had passed away early, met and stopped me as I was moving away from a very traumatic event into pure Spirit. She told me (words aloud in my consciousness) that I had more to do. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery where they told me they had "lost" me for several minutes. So let me reassure you, all feels normal, our loved ones are there, and most of all -- the light and pure radiance of divine Love is present tangibly, ever watching over your experience.

Fear Freezes; Love Frees

The thing most feared, can be met best by reflecting that radiance of the One infinite Love.

Fear freezes us. Love frees us.

It's not human love that is needed, but the divine Love that "faith never" (I Cor. 13:8).
https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=first+loved+us&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

1Cor. 13:8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

If you can, try to order a book by Henry Drummond, called The Greatest Thing in the World. It dissects the famous passages on love found in that chapter of Corinthians, and gives plenty of ideas for applying the ideas in your life. This book can be found on Amazon. It is small but mighty.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_42?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+greatest+thing+in+the+world+henry+drummond&sprefix=The+Greatest+thing+in+the+world%2C+Henry+Dru%2Caps%2C145&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Athe+greatest+thing+in+the+world+henry+drummond

While waiting for your tiny but powerful book (decades old, but timeless) prayerfully meditate on the radiance of Love, as soon as possible upon awakening, and each time you are settling in to rest or sleep. The universe is filled with the Being that is all-Love.

To take a few minutes or more to focus quietly on this light of Love (alone and still) will bring a measure of peace and comfort right away; further, it will seep into all that has to do with you in the most effective, gentle, and beneficial ways.

Our sense of personal love (which can be so vast, so deep, so amazing), when placed by the one Source of all affection that radiates this feeling, tangibility, and power, is as beautiful candlelight next to the fullness of the sun at noon. The apostle explains, "We love because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).  We love because we are His reflection, His expression -- one with the divine Love as a ray of light to its source.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=first+loved+us&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

Love will not fail you, and has not. Love is embracing all of us right now, and caring for us. Love sees each of us and holds us to Himself in tenderness.

Get in Sync the the Universe's Rhythm

NO HURRY: Prioritize

There is a rhythm of the infinitude of creation that is like the great heart-beat of the Almighty (the I AM, God, divine Love). This rhythm is never too fast or too slow.

A KEY element to peace, strength, comfort, accomplishment of right endeavors, and regaining  functional balance (for one's own sake and those around you) is to realize your eternal identity as "image and likeness" of the perfect One, the pure Being or Creator. 

Whatever the original does, the reflection moves right with it -- not before, not after. So the timing for your day is perfect, and is controlled by the divine Intelligence that fills all space. 

TO DEMONSTRATE OR MANIFEST THIS PERFECT RHYTHM OR TIMING:
1. Take 5-10 minutes after reading this offering, and prayerfully-meditate (in a quiet place if possible) holding to divine Love's rhythmic "heart-beat" -- in Spirit. You may find yourself gently rocking to it (without trying) as you calm, quiet, and bring conscious awareness to this gentle timing. You will feel it through your spiritual sense when gently turning thought toward it. 

2. WATCH (never think or say that anything is too fast or too slow). DECLARE that all things in the universe reflect and express the perfect timing of the perfect, Infinite One.

3. ACTION STEP:
What one thing -- one thing -- would be most important for you to do today? Take time to think this through. Write down that one thing you will do today. 
(It might be a task, or it might be an important communication with someone).

After your 5-10 minute prayer-meditation, begin to move toward doing that one thing (baby step). Know and feel that you are moving in sync with God, the all-loving and ever-present Love, and you are doing it by reflection (as image and likeness, Gen. 1:26). 

The power of Love itself gives you the gift of grace through spiritual sense. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=gift+of+God&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

Or as the Bible in Basic English translates:
... by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God: (Eph. 2:8). 

The Time for Decisions, and a Time for No Decisions

Decision-Making ... Not Now!

In the Scriptures, the prophet, Joel (586 BC) expresses the ageless sentiment toward decision-making in his lament: "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision" (3:14). It's a "valley," not a mountain top where you get a clear view. It's down in the shadows in an after shock. This is not the time make decisions -- yet more than likely you are being called upon to do so. https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/joe/3/14/s_879014

"What do you want to do?" is a question that could be coming at you way too fast. Degrees of shock affect our ability to think clearly. We're in the valley, not in the height of noon day seeing. 

For those decisions that cannot be put off, insist on some amount of time alone (or with best trusted person who will not sway you), and prayerfully meditate on this: "...not my will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). It is our Master's words in Gethsemane -- his example of how to decide when in a really tough position or circumstance.

For that must-make decision in early stages of disappointment or heavy grief:

1. Get alone for at least 10 minutes to pray, "...not my will, but Thine be done."

2. Refuse to be easily swayed by those with either good or evil intentions. Hold your ground with what comes to you after prayer.

3. Try not to give a final decision until you feel that peace we've been meditating on each day. If you feel peace you are probably on exactly the right track.

There is no error or mistake, no chance involved when you consciously reflect the Perfect One as His own "image and likeness." What the Infinite Love does, you do by reflection. Declare, therefore, that your decisions are perfect because they mirror the divine Intelligent I AM.

Only make decisions that cannot be delayed. Consult only with a wise individual that you can totally trust. After that consultation, return to prayer, then go with your own feeling. 

Wear your very most comfortable pajamas tonight, and get the perfect pillow under your head -- it's a symbol of comfort and love. 

One Thing

Held by divine Love

1. Meditate prayerfully for at least one minute (more if you can) on the gentle and peaceful presence of the I AM, the Being of Love, holding you to His bosom. You are in the warmth of this Love by the heartbeat of the universe -- giving you comfort and strength.

2. What is the one thing -- and only ONE thing -- you feel you must do today?

_______________________________________

3. Now take a baby step toward that thing, or go ahead and do it completely. Either way, you are cheered on by the angels that surround you. A small move toward a right thing is blessed.

4. Go to sleep back in that picture and feeling of the tender Presence that loves you no matter what.

5. Try to only be with those who have a positive or spiritual attitude. Be still, move deliberately, eat a little something. Do your normal nightly routine.

"Ye are blessed of the Lord who made heaven and earth" (Ps. 115:15). https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=blessed+of+the+Lord+heaven+and+earth&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1

scripturalstudycenter.org

Types of Grief: Next Steps

TYPES OF GRIEF

And next steps

There are many types of grief, including disappointments in marriage, loss of career or job, a ruined reputation, passing of a loved one, failure at some endeavor -- many types of grief experienced at varying degrees and moving through diverse stages at different speeds.

As an online grief coach, I supply ideas that meet these variables; as a reader/client you choose what best fits your need and tweak it as needed. Always know that at any point you can email or call for a first free one-on-one session -- but even if not -- an outpouring of energy and support will be here for you (http://www.scripturalstudycenter.org).

Continuing from session 1, there is a great need for peace.

Etymologically, peace means "to fasten as to make stable." Only as we "fasten" our thought consciously to God, to divine Love, do we feel the security that allows for peace to begin its healing, comforting, and strengthening work in us.

More than this, more than simply fastening thought to God, Love, you are actually His own "image and likeness" (Gen. 1:26). How fastened are we to our reflection in the mirror? Just so, you are the likeness of God, expressing all that He is. God is not in sorrow or grief, but eternal bliss -- and the truth (that Jesus said makes free) is that you reflect this.

Another way to think of your oneness, being "fastened" and "stable," is to picture God as the sun, and yourself as a ray of light -- the very emanation of His being. This is the deep and eternal basis of PEACE.

1. Again, meditate for one to five minutes slowly saying or thinking the word, peace. This time picture yourself as the peaceful emanation of the Light of Him who is Peace.

2. Continue to wear your most comfortable clothes and maintain your waking and before bed routine.

3. If you have someone close, share feelings and memories, but also share your new awakenings to the power of PEACE.

"Peace, be still," Jesus commanded to still the storm on the Sea of Galilee; "Peace, be still," he commands your consciousness -- "and there was a great calm" (https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=peace+be+still&t=KJV#s=s_primary_0_1).

Initial Shock

Coaching Session 1

Initial shock: Loss or Disappointment

1. Close eyes and silently (or out loud) repeat the word, "Peace." Do this for one to five minutes as you can -- go slowly, Peace, peace, peace.

Repeat this few minute meditation several times during the day and as you go to sleep, slowly saying, peace.

Write the word peace somewhere before bed -- simply or detailed/artistic.

• This word, peace, carries the idea that delivers the power of peace, and it BEGINS to    establish itself within you. You will build thought upon this in the next days.
• "Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).
•  Bringing the word peace to consciousness creates a thought that instantly shoots a calming, healing mental medicine to every part of your being. It even influences others in a positive way, even if unspoken. It begins a thought-basis that will be built upon for recovery and balance.

       
2. Do your normal routine -- brushing teeth, washing face, and dressing. Wear your most comfortable clothes and/or pajamas.

3. Try to stay in the presence of a friend or supportive family.

          Divine Love loves you and carries you today and through the night. Rest in His love. "In the night His song shall be with me" (Psalm 42:8). Love sings gently over you to comfort tonight.