Where does grief find you?
One of the eleven Monterey Park Tabiji Eggshells. Click here for more images and the creative process so far.
Dear one, where does grief find you today? For me, it's been over the mass shooting in my city 3 weeks ago. For you, it might be the emotional abuse that deals its own unique kind of death. I get it. If that's part of your story, my heart aches with yours. It should not be so. You deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.
Even if kindness and respect aren't available around you, you can extend it to yourself, or imagine it being offered to you by One who loves you more than you can ever know. I invite you to try this...gently place both your hands on your chest and breathe slowly. Let your touch be tender, as if you were touching a baby's back or a puppy's tummy.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Just breathe.
Notice the slow, quiet rhythm of your breath as you feel your hands gently rise and fall. Breathe in kindness. Hope. Love. Tenderness. Hold it there with your own hands. There is love for you.
Art has a way of saying for us what we can’t say with words. As I walk around in the slowness of my grief, doing the heart work as it arises, I trust that the One who loves me will bring healing in its time. I trust that this will be true for you too. While the Monterey Park Tabiji Eggshells speak of my grief for my city, perhaps you might find an echo of understanding among them in all that you are walking with too. Someday there will be healing...we lean into this hope as we wait. Be gentle with yourself. You are loved. You are not alone.
24/7 U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline, voice: 800-799-7233, text: “START” to 88788