Grieving & Gaining, plus the 3rd G, during Covid-19

07 Apr Grieving & Gaining, plus the 3rd G, during Covid-19

On some level, despite the unprecedented impact of this pandemic resulting in fear, sickness and sadly greed, Covid-19 will ultimately prove to be one of our grandest teachers and desperately needed recalibration of life gifts.  Right now, it feels like the most obnoxious uninvited guest imaginable.  Because of it, we are not hugging and holding each other.  We are, as we are mandated and as a natural reaction, feeling isolated.  A ‘final goodbye’ is a ritual that dates back centuries and transcends across the most intelligent heart centered animal kingdom.  Elephants, monkeys, wolves are just a few that innately pause and gather to acknowledge that one of the own ~ a family member ~ has died.  The gathering is that of respect and an integral part of the healing process.  As I reflect on this current paradigm and guide Celebrations of Life to gatherings of 10 or less, I am overwhelmed with honour.  Of the many things we are learning … acceptance and gratitude, I believe will be the forerunners of this experience.  It’s also reminded me that love doesn’t keep score nor need a crowd.  The love from one single person, when given freely and unconditionally can fill a soul far more that a bus load of obligatory participants.  Oftentimes we hear, “I have to go to a funeral.”  That has changed. Now people are ignited with a deep-seated love and compelled to give more of themselves, and when they do, it’s a lottery win for their soul.  We have been escorted to the platform of unconditional kindness and concern.  When stripped from so many other perceived necessities and distractions, we now get it.  We get what is important and are actually aware that, giving more than what you ever take, is the answer.  The intensity of self-worth and peace derived from gentle thoughts and kind actions is galaxies away from the emptiness resting in the core of those operating from greed.  How does a fully stocked garage of toilet paper and hand sanitizer help anyone to evolve?  No heroes at that house!

Life cycles never stop, not even during pandemics.  Babies are carving light into the darkness and others are writing their final chapter.  We shall continue to celebrate both.  Whether you participate in person, or join in via social media livestream, you are woven into same wholly compassionate cloth. Knowing this and feeling its pervasiveness fill the room, gratitude feels like a magnificent rainbow of love not only dousing all of us in its colours reflective of love, support, passion, kindness and patience but this rainbow is also the conduit by which we will heal.

So, take that Covid-19!

Telling Stories….One legacy at a time