Day 10 - Two Little Words - Theme Song!

Our world changes forever... every... single... day.

For those of us who have lost a family member, a close friend, or perhaps another type of special item, relationship, or capability, ​the journey of loss in the ensuing months can feel like we are flowing in and out of various states of consciousness.
 
In reality, we are actually going through a transition.
 
And even if we are not personally touched by the ultimate tragedy of a loss of life, when we lose another type of special item, relationship, or capability, we are dealing with the loss of the old way of living.
 
Accordingly, perhaps you, he, she, and me – might do well to familiarize ourselves with the various stages of grief.
 
In psychological terms, the 5 stages of grief are:
 
- Denial;
- Anger;
- Bargaining;
- Depression; and
- Acceptance.
 
This framework forms the transitory process of emotional activity that helps us cope with losing something of great value.
 
And, to be sure, our respective worlds change forever... every... single... day. 

Along with the change from one state of being to another, we also lose a bit of the truth as we sometimes create a sort of romanticized reflection in how things used to be.
 
As yesterday passes through today and into into tomorrow, please set aside a few minutes each day to think about – and ask yourself, “Where am I in these 5 stages of grief?”
 
Indeed, many people who have lost a loved one... or something of great value... are likely to respond with the first stage… Denial.
 
It’s only natural.
 
But then comes the Anger.
 
This, too, is natural.  

But unlike Denial, Anger can facilitate unhealthy consequences.  

Hence, my request that you, my friend, invest time to really ponder where YOU are… and process through the Denial.  With the advent of social media and a whole new realm of "community" that is far different than the previous "communities" to which we belong, as a society, we have lost much.  

And we, as individuals, have lost much, much more than we currently realize.
 
The next phase, Bargaining, is usually manifest in the form of “making deals with oneself or God.”

If only "this" could happen, then I will do "that."  

If only "that" happens, I will do "this."  

Unfortunately, this phase, too, can facilitate unhealthy consequences if left unchecked.  One of the worst manifestations of this phase is when individuals start Bargaining about what caused this or that.  Then... neighbors start blaming neighbors.

And remember:

...we are ALL neighbors in this worldwide community.
 
If we are not careful, the mere thoughts of looming emotional and economic depression has the power to exacerbate our tendency toward Bargaining, and to potentially twist our worlds into a downward spiral of despair and dread, fed by more dread and despair... and, ironically, a voracious appetite for more dread and despair.
 
Whoa!
 
What happened?
 
Wasn’t this supposed to be a Two-Word Journey outside the lines of the real-world monster that lies outside our doorstep?
 
Isn’t this blog supposed to help us think beyond the headlines?
 
Yes – it is.
 
And that is exactly what I am doing.
 
It’s also why I am asking you to take THIS day, THIS moment, THIS opportunity to come to some form of “acceptance."

This Acceptance is the last phase of the processing of grief.
 
Though everyone deals with grief a tad bit differently than you and me, I am asking YOU to at least consider the process – and the question…
 
Where are you in the 5 phases of processing this grief?
 
As you pull back from the headlines and the flurry of numbers and the evolving, if not contradicting, advice that spews from the television, media, and social media, give yourself some time to process the remarkable, everyday shift in our everyday lives.
 
As you do this, I ask that you please do me a favor:
 
Pick a theme song and let it take you to wherever you want to go.
 
Whether it’s Percy Faith’s “Theme from a Summer Place,” Bill Conti’s “Theme from 'Rocky (Gonna Fly Now)'” Shawn Mendes’ “Señorita,” or that classic, “The Electric Slide,” immerse yourself in the wonderful confines of your favorite song and embrace this ever-evolving new world into which we are entering.

While listening to your theme song, allow your mind, body, and soul to honor that person who is, perhaps, no longer here, but is truly forever in our hearts.
 
As for me...
 
I’ll be listening to Elvis Presley’s version of “The Impossible Dream.”
 
As I discussed in yesterday's post, we can all borrow the theme song from the 'Super Friends.'

In the meantime, tell me: what’s your…
 
THEME SONG?
 
                           Oh, and…

Accept what is.
 
Adapt to a changing landscape.
 
Achieve the best possible outcome.
 
Aloha,