One of the main reasons clients seek my support is twofold: they struggle with self-esteem and feel disconnected from their sense of purpose. 

Many carry a deep-seated sense of unworthiness that seeps into their daily lives, shaping their behaviors and relationships in ways they may not even realize. This experience is unfortunately widespread. We live in a society that often measures our worth by productivity and achievement, and many of us grew up in environments that reinforced this idea. 

Generations before us had little understanding of emotional intelligence, nonviolent communication, and the lasting impact of trauma. As a result, many adults find themselves navigating life with an internalized sense of judgment and a relentless inner critic. 

I sit and explore my present relationships with my ancestors who have passed over and into the next world of being. I recognize the warmth of feeling in body and mind when recalling their role in my life.  My memories embrace this warmth of feeling in a shared sense of self and other. In this embrace, a spark of memory recall brings my ancestor back into the living moment. Sustaining the memory in the present moment brings me a sense of comfort.

In this crazy, beautiful life, you and I will both experience loss and its constant companion, grief. But I am here to say that in the weeds of grief, unconditional joy is always possible. I’ve experimented with how to live this out in real-time, and this piece highlights my experience.

Healing your wounded heart isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — where to begin to lean into curing your pain.

Bereavement companionship circles offer a safe haven for the bereft to share vulnerable grief stories associated with a significant loss of a loved one. The collective wisdom of the group springs forth from the tapestry of interweaving grief stories. Connections are deeply cultivated in group storytelling and leave participants feeling less isolated along their grief journey.