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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

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Navigating the Depths of Grief: A Journey of Healing and Growth

Grief. A word that holds within its letters a universe of emotions, a journey through the labyrinth of loss, and a testament to the bonds we share with those we love. It is a complex and deeply personal experience that touches every fiber of our being. Today, we explore the depths of grief, seeking to understand its essence, its manifestations, and the importance of finding solace in the healing power of pleasure.

 Defining Grief: A Tapestry of Emotions

Grief is not a singular emotion; it is a tapestry woven from an array of emotions that ebb and flow within us. Like the crashing waves of the sea, grief encompasses sadness, anger, confusion, and even moments of fleeting joy. It is an emotional journey that extends beyond the mere expression of tears and sorrow, encapsulating the complex range of feelings that arise when we experience loss.

Riding the Waves of Grief: Embracing the Emotional Rollercoaster

Navigating the tumultuous waves of grief can feel overwhelming. The sheer intensity and unpredictability of our emotions can leave us feeling adrift, desperately searching for a lifeline. But what if we shift our perspective? What if we learn to ride the waves with resilience, recognizing that grief is not a linear path but a series of ebbs and flows?

In these moments, it becomes crucial to embrace emotional awareness. By acknowledging the bodily sensations that grief evokes, we begin to untangle the intricate threads that weave our emotional landscape. We ask ourselves: Are these emotions heavy or light, sharp or dull? Through this process, we gain insights into our own grieving process, gradually understanding its unique rhythm and allowing ourselves to surrender to its current.

The Healing Power of Pleasure: Finding Light Amidst Darkness

Amidst the depths of grief, it is essential to remember the importance of pleasure. Just as a rainbow emerges after a storm, pleasure can be a guiding compass, leading us toward healing and hope. Engaging in activities that bring us joy and comfort becomes an act of self-care, offering respite from the weight of our emotions.

Whether it is losing ourselves in the pages of a beloved book, savoring the taste of a favorite dish, or immersing ourselves in the tranquil beauty of nature, these moments of pleasure become beacons of light amidst the darkness. They remind us that even as we grieve, life continues to offer moments of solace and beauty.

Embracing Growth Through Grief

Grief is an intricate dance between remembrance and healing, between sorrow and joy. It is a testament to the love we hold within us for those we have lost. By embracing the emotional complexity of grief and recognizing the importance of pleasure in the healing process, we navigate this journey with grace and resilience. As we ride the waves of grief, let us remember that healing does not mean forgetting or letting go. Instead, it means integrating our loss into the tapestry of our lives, finding solace in the memories we hold dear, and cultivating a renewed sense of purpose and empathy.

So, my dear friends, let us walk this path together – acknowledging the depths of grief, embracing the healing power of pleasure, and ultimately, discovering the growth and transformation that await us on the other side.

In the words of Rumi, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” May we find solace in the darkness and emerge with hearts filled with compassion, resiliency, and a deeper appreciation for the fragility and beauty of life.

*Note: This blog post was inspired by the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a renowned psychiatrist and author, who revolutionized our understanding of grief and the stages of mourning.

Sarah Hines
Sarah Hineshttps://www.griefadvocacy.com/
I met a man one blurry night in Manhattan, and little did I know, he would be the soil in which my passion for grief work was to be planted. He had been rejected by his family for his life choices and was preparing for death without them. Helping him through his struggle to come to terms with his love for them and in turn his forgiveness while going through treatments, rejection, and coming to terms with his own death and grief was an unimaginable amount of stress and it literally set me in activism mode. It was shortly after his death, I completed training in Palliative Care Home Hospice. I volunteered in men’s homes for 5 years before the medications became reliable and being gay wasn’t always breaking family ties. Some of the most amazing times I have had in my life have been in the homes of dying. Strange, yes.. but so beautifully honest and raw. I then completed the Children’s Palliative Care Training and dove into the heartbrokenness of dying children. It is in these years I really came to understand just how fickle death can be and how much we embrace death and our grief. It seems that in times of what we would consider the most unimaginable, we are able to find glimmers of beauty, cracks of light and the nourishment in tears. Over the last 20 years, I have carried on with my education in a variety of ways including Coach and Leadership Training, Orphan Wisdom School and Grief Groups. My connection into corporate grief has been slow. It’s something that most organizations do not want to think about. I am inspired by those that see value in bringing grief work into the way they lead teams through uncertainty and the trust this work builds.

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