Commentary

Holiday season and hurricane warnings are similar

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This time of year is very difficult for many people. It's Christmas time, which is similar to hurricane season. A time when storms rage, winds blow and which causes fear and dread from those in its path. People on the east coast are ever mindful of super storms out of the ocean. When people hear news of a storm approaching, some people evacuate and others decide to ride it out by staying in their homes. My loved ones who live in the south have experienced how dangerous it was to ride out the storm, but they were able to survive.

“Is Your Bucket List Worth It?”

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An old man wakened to the grandfather clock in the hall chiming the hour. But when he heard 11-12-13-14 chimes, he quickly rolled over to shake his sleeping wife. Her mumbled response was, “What?” He frantically yelled, “Good grief, woman, get up! We gotta get busy, ‘cause it’s definitely later than it’s ever been before!”

Gratitude Can Help Us Deal With Pain

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"How can I be thankful for anything when I am mourning my deceased loved one? I can't begin to think about appreciation or being grateful." These comments are quite understandable early in the grief process. But later, holding on to these assertions will eliminate an important action that reduces the intensity of grief, and which others have found useful.

Thinking Out Loud

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"How can I be thankful for anything when I am mourning my deceased loved one? I can't begin to think about appreciation or being grateful." These comments are quite understandable early in the grief process. But later, holding on to these assertions will eliminate an important action which others have found useful and helps reduce the intensity of grief.

Are You Feeling Alone?

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The young man posted on Facebook that he was feeling worthless. People were not coming around like they once did.

“Coddling Is A Killer”

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Early in our marriage, we were both employed at a large feed, seed and fertilizer company. Its walk-in store was extremely busy from local traffic in the spring, due to the seed and garden plants it carried. Andy was a salesman on the floor, while Renie worked in the offices.

Up, Down, and All Around

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It has been said by those in the know that the process of grief and loss has stages. While it is agreed these stages don't necessarily show up in predictable patterns or in specific order, there's much more to the grief process than stages. The work of Kubler- Ross is important. However, to discuss grief and loss only in terms of stages makes it sound much too neat and orderly.

How’s Life Going For You?

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Have you ever thought about living in “the good ‘ol days”? Most of us have fond memories of times past. Maybe you recall parents who are long deceased or perhaps a sibling who took you fishing for the first time.

Family Discussions

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Two dogs were resting under a tree in the park. Butch, the collie said, “Look at that dog walking with his master. He has no freedom like we do while he is on that leash.” The other dog, a shepherd named Sleepy replied, “Actually, he has no freedom even off the leash. When the leash is removed at his master’s home, the home belongs to his master and the yard where he lives is fenced and belongs to his master. The food and water comes from his master. The dog owns nothing of his own.”