In this powerful episode of Journey from Grief to Healing, we walk with Tolkien through the shadowed woods of grief and emerge into the light of hope and joy. Using the wisdom of his poems “All Woods Must Fail” and “All Ye Joyful,” we explore how grief, though deep and consuming, does not last forever. You’ll be reminded that healing is not only possible—but inevitable—if we keep walking forward. By the end, you’ll feel empowered to sing again, not just because the storm has passed, but because you survived it.
despair
Choosing Life After Grief: Rising Like the Phoenix
Choosing Life: Rising Like the Phoenix
In this powerful episode, we explore the courage it takes to rise after life’s darkest moments. Grief can leave us feeling beaten, bruised, and lost in shadows, but within each of us lies the strength to choose life and joy. Drawing on the wisdom of French philosopher Voltaire, the poignant poetry of Theodore Roethke (In a Dark Time), and May Sarton (The Phoenix Again), we reflect on how to break free from despair, embrace resilience, and rediscover the light. Learn how to climb out of fear, like the mythical phoenix, to live fully once again.
Join us as we delve into the transformative power of hope, healing, and the determination to never give up.
Keywords: grief, resilience, hope, healing, overcoming loss, choosing life, Theodore Roethke, May Sarton, phoenix, embracing joy, finding light, inspirational podcast, personal growth, self-reflection, rebirth, never give up,
Today’s Poem: I Watch People in the World by Taigu Ryokan
I Watch People in the World
Taigu Ryokan
I watch people in the world
Throw away their lives lusting after things,
Never able to satisfy their desires,
Falling into deeper despair
And torturing themselves.
Even if they get what they want
How long will they be able to enjoy it?
For one heavenly pleasure
They suffer ten torments of hell,
Binding themselves more firmly to the grindstone.
Such people are like monkeys
Frantically grasping for the moon in the water
And then falling into a whirlpool.
How endlessly those caught up in the floating world suffer.
Despite myself, I fret over them all night
And cannot staunch my flow of tears.
Today’s Thought: The Power of Kindness
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. ~ Albert Schweitzer
NOTE: It’s a human experience to get knocked down. Most times we can bounce back. Every once in a while it’s tough to bounce back and you wonder if it is all worth it. Then, in moments of deepest despair something happens. Something you didn’t expect. It might occur in the form of a call, a text or an email. It might be a colleague or supervisor stepping into your space. Everything changes in that moment. It is as if new life was breathed into you. Some may call these moments miracles or grace or luck. It happens. I’ve had a number of them in my life. I didn’t see them coming, they kicked down my door and walked in. I’ve learned, we have the power within us to be the source of new life for other people. A kind word, a kind action, the simple act of listening thoughtfully all carry the power of infusing new life into another.
Thinking Out Loud: Good Things Are Coming Your Way
The rain will stop, the night will end, the hurt will fade. Hope is never so lost that it can’t be found.
NOTE: Hope is the miracle elixir that pulls us up out of a bottomless pit. When darkness and despair close all the doors, hope opens a window and the sunlight shines through and on us. When all is lost and there seems no way out, hope hollers to us, “Tomorrow will be brighter than today.” If we have hope we can conquer any why. If we have hope, we have a chance, we haven’t given into the forces of darkness. Never give up. Never quit. Keep hope alive in your heart and turn it into a roaring fire. Yes, tomorrow will be better than today. Good things are coming your way.
Thinking Out Loud: Good Things Are Coming Your Way
Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Boris Pasternack’s work, Dr. Zhivago.
“And remember: you must never, under any circumstances, despair. To hope and to act, these are our duties in misfortune.”
Note: We all face misfortune at times. It comes with living. How we respond to it sets a stamp on our character. Viktor Frankl in Man’s Search for Meaning said we always have the freedom to choose the attitude we take toward our circumstances. Boris Pasternack encourages us to never despair or allowing ourselves to fall into the black pit. Instead, hope is the antidote to despair. Yes, tomorrow will better than today. Believe good things are coming your way. If you’re awake, you’ll catch them.
Never Give Up, Never Give in to Despair – Inspiration from Dr. Zhivago
“And remember: you must never, under any circumstances, despair. To hope and to act, these are our duties in misfortune.’” Quote from Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Today’s Inspiration ~ Choose to Live
“I must choose between despair and Energy – I choose the latter.”
