This past week in Lewiston, Maine a man went on a shooting spree killing eighteen people.   The night that it happened people started messaging me because they know my family has a home in Maine and sometimes I’m there.  I wasn’t.  I was at home in Vermont getting news alerts about it on my phone.  

I could tell from the first alert that something big was happening.  I could feel that a lot of people were getting triggered.  There’s so much violence right now.  There’s a lot of death and dying and for many people it’s all too much.  They’re at their limit.

As we’re coming into the holidays and the darkest time of the year it’s helpful to recognize that many people around us may be sinking into grief that’s getting intensified by all the violence and death happening now.  Many people’s loved ones have died during the pandemic and it’s been so intense for all of us, we may not feel able to discuss it.  We may not be able to share how we feel and we may not be able to offer comfort to those who are suffering.

When the suffering goes on and on and on, we can grow weary and fearful of talking about it even when we really need to.

When I was studying to be an Agape Practitioner and serving in the Bereavement Ministry, facilitating a monthly support group, there was a woman in her 80’s who had lost her husband of 60 years six months before.  Now, friends and family were saying to her, “you need to get over it.”  

It shocked me that people who loved this woman could be so insensitive.  At the time it felt like such an affront it actually felt rude.  They wanted her to move past her pain and be happy and having fun again.  I get it, and that’s purely selfish.

I said to her, “you’ll never get over this.  That’s an unrealistic expectation because it’s impossible.  

Your friends would like you to get over it so they can feel more comfortable around you.  They don’t understand. AND, as you go through your days, you’ll learn to live with not having your husband with you every day.  

You will eventually learn how to live without him AND be happy again.
You’ll move on, but you won’t EVER get over it.  

You can’t rush this, you can only go through it and, unfortunately, you have to teach folks how to be comfortable with your feelings, by not hiding from them and sharing how you feel with them even when they don’t like it.”

It’s a tall order for an elderly woman grieving the loss of her best friend and life-partner, the father of her children, her life’s companion.  Many people are in a similar position and doing it every day and we can have more sensitivity and appreciation for what they’re going through.

Telling someone to get over something generally isn’t compassionate or kind.
Instead, we need to help them learn how to move on – even if we don’t know how.

In our beloved community, we have an obligation to reach out to people and let them know we care.  It may not help to ask how they feel, because they may not be able to discuss it, but we can be there for them and keep them company, letting them know that Love is still where they are.  

No two people will have the same grief experience.  All that’s needed is for us to be able to offer compassion and non-judgment.  Love is what we lead with, Love will find the way.

If you or anyone you know would like grief support, I’ve got a class for that starting Thursday – 4 classes – It was very powerful last year so I’m doing it again.  Grieving Through the Holidays.  This class is a FREE BONUS if you’re already registered for Masterful Living 2024 (or in Masterful Living 2023).  Register early for Masterful Living next year and there are a number of bonus classes this year.  The sooner you join, the more bonuses you get.

TODAY, you can join me on zoom. We’re coming together to share our inspiration in many ways. We’ll have a spiritual celebration together with message and music – we call it Sundays With Spirit. Please invite your friends and loved ones! If you can’t join us, you can catch the replay! Because we’re going to be live on video, you’ll have to register to get the details. All are welcome, there’s no charge, but you do have to register unless you’ve already registered.

See you soon, I hope!

I’ve got several things coming up you may find fun and helpful:

• Grieving Through the Holidays – I did this class for the first time last year – and it was so healing. I’m offering it again starting on Thursday. If you’re already feeling the intensity of the holidays heading our way and the grief that can come up at this time, this may be helpful to you.
• Forgiveness Retreat in the NY Catskills November 9 to 12 – this is an absolute BARGAIN – only 497. Plus a great rate on lodging and meals! CHECK IT OUT! Early bird special is ON right now.
• Spiritual Counseling Training Intensive in the NY Catskills November 13 to 19.
  If you’re interested in the training, consider coming to the Forgiveness Retreat too and have a MAJOR shift and a big discount!

If you feel you’ve been holding yourself back and letting fear decide, these events might be your answered prayer! If it’s right for you, you’ll know. Trust your intuition!

Not sure if one of my programs is right for you? You’re invited to schedule a free Exploratory Call with one of our certified spiritual counselors to get your questions answered and see if this program can bring you the results YOU would like!

LATEST PODCAST EPISODE! The most recent episode of my podcast’s topic is When Wisdom Arrives, Rosalyn Rourke. It helps to have a clear understanding of what the Christ is, and the function of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives. These are described in the Clarification of Terms section of ACIM In this episode, Jennifer helps us to have more clarity about how to hold Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Christ in our awareness so that we can amplify and accelerate our healing.