193. Grief Explored: Emotional Complexity, Healing, with Insights from David Kessler’s Finding Meaning and Other Experts We Love.

[00:00:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Episode 93 of Girl Take The Lead, for each week, Quicksplored womanhood and leadership in

[00:00:12] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm your host, Yolanda Canny. So we'd like to cover books and have guests on the show to talk

[00:00:18] [SPEAKER_00]: about emotions. So we can better be leaders and based on the number of lessons you like

[00:00:25] [SPEAKER_00]: to explore these topics too. And there's one emotion I recently realized was suspiciously

[00:00:31] [SPEAKER_00]: absent from our list. And that emotion was grief.

[00:00:36] [SPEAKER_00]: As some of you know, we recently lost the dog we've had the pleasure of loving and caring

[00:00:41] [SPEAKER_00]: for over the past seven years, Caitlin. She was a very spacey 13 year old and we are so

[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: grateful to her breeder who thought it would be great for her to live her last years with us.

[00:00:54] [SPEAKER_00]: And just so you know, the average lifespan of a French is 10 to 12 years. So a such an

[00:01:02] [SPEAKER_00]: honor to have her with us in our life and to have her 10 year old pup Tino still living with us.

[00:01:11] [SPEAKER_00]: There were several things that the event of losing Kate as we like to call her brought to the

[00:01:17] [SPEAKER_00]: forefront. As I went through my own process of grieving, here's what we'll cover in the episode

[00:01:24] [SPEAKER_00]: so you can choose to listen or not and it's okay if it's a knot. Grief is a complex and difficult

[00:01:31] [SPEAKER_00]: topic, particularly if you're going through something right now. I totally get having those raw

[00:01:39] [SPEAKER_00]: feelings at vulnerability and needing the time and this space to be able to handle a topic like this one.

[00:01:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Leave me, I get you and it's important that you take care of you. I'm not doing this

[00:01:54] [SPEAKER_00]: episode to make anyone feel bad or exploit anyone's feelings. I'm offering this episode as a

[00:02:01] [SPEAKER_00]: way for us to understand more about grief so we don't feel so alone when we experience it

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_00]: or that we can validate our own process. So the questions will explore are these.

[00:02:16] [SPEAKER_00]: First one will be grief, what is it? And we'll reference Bernabews' alicithart because you

[00:02:23] [SPEAKER_00]: know that's where I love to go. And then we'll look at the grief of losing a pet and is it different

[00:02:30] [SPEAKER_00]: from losing a person we love and can grief bring other losses to the forefront.

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_00]: And is the experience of grief different if it's sudden rather than having the time to prepare?

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_00]: And how do emotions around grief like guilt manifest themselves? And we'll talk about some

[00:02:52] [SPEAKER_00]: authors like David Kessler and what he has to say about the sixth stage of grief which is about

[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_00]: finding meaning. And what Victor Franco says about grief, I hope that with this episode

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: that there'll be some new insights you have about grief. So here you go.

[00:03:18] [SPEAKER_00]: So let's start with Bernabews. She addresses grief in Atlas of the Heart within the broader

[00:03:24] [SPEAKER_00]: exploration of emotions and human experiences. In the book she dedicates a section to grief as part

[00:03:32] [SPEAKER_00]: the discussion on places we go when things don't go as planned and places we go when we're hurting.

[00:03:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Here are some of the key points she makes. One, grief is a reaction to loss.

[00:03:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Bernabews explains that grief is not limited to the death of a loved one. It can occur with any

[00:03:56] [SPEAKER_00]: significant loss including relationships, jobs, involved in their or dreams.

[00:04:05] [SPEAKER_00]: She emphasizes that grief is a normal response to loss and reflects the depth of our connections

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: and emotional investment. Two, grief is complex. Bernabews grieve as multilayered involving

[00:04:23] [SPEAKER_00]: a wide range of emotions that can include sadness, anger, confusion and even relief.

[00:04:32] [SPEAKER_00]: This complexity mirrors her broader thesis that human emotions are rarely simple or one

[00:04:41] [SPEAKER_00]: and it's not an emotional. Three, grief needs to be processed. One of the recurring themes in

[00:04:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Bernabews' work is vulnerability and she emphasizes that grief requires us to allow ourselves

[00:04:57] [SPEAKER_00]: to be vulnerable. She advocates for giving oneself the space to experience grief fully,

[00:05:06] [SPEAKER_00]: rather than suppressing or avoiding it. Because Kate died on the way to the vet

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_00]: and she was unresponsive in the vet's office, I felt very exposed.

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_00]: My grief wasn't a private matter. The whole office knew and that added some layers I needed to process.

[00:05:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Four, grief is intertwined with the need for connection. She points out that grief itself can

[00:05:41] [SPEAKER_00]: feel isolating but sharing our grief with others helps us heal but only when those connections

[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_00]: are compassionate and validating. So you guys a big shout out to all of you who commented

[00:05:58] [SPEAKER_00]: on our Facebook group page and sent hugs. They were so welcome and very appreciated.

[00:06:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Lastly, Bernabews' grief as a natural, though challenging part of our emotional landscape that requires

[00:06:18] [SPEAKER_00]: acknowledgement, compassion and support from ourselves and others.

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_00]: That gives us a nice framework from which to start. As I was going through my own process,

[00:06:32] [SPEAKER_00]: I was struck by the following and we'll use these questions to guide us in the episode.

[00:06:40] [SPEAKER_00]: First, I found myself grieving more than just Kate Lynn and wondered what was that about.

[00:06:47] [SPEAKER_00]: It was like I felt every loss in my life.

[00:06:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Then, I wondered if I should feel so sad about a pet. It wasn't a person after all.

[00:07:02] [SPEAKER_00]: The surprise nature of Kate Lynn's passing, I think I was in shock really.

[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Would that experience have been different if I had time to plan? I felt sad and a big guilty,

[00:07:19] [SPEAKER_00]: helping others if that's a hoffest wouldn't judge me. I was definitely ugly crying.

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER_00]: I felt helpless and definitely not in control. I know, crazy, right?

[00:07:37] [SPEAKER_00]: But I suspected there were some underlying beliefs. I could feel but I couldn't quite see

[00:07:45] [SPEAKER_00]: and with these emotions normal, so I did some research. You know me, looking for the research

[00:07:55] [SPEAKER_00]: and here's what I learned. Let's look at the first one where I felt I was grieving every loss in my life.

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Turns out this phenomenon is known as cumulative grief or grief layering

[00:08:11] [SPEAKER_00]: where the loss of the pet re-awaken the pain of previous losses. Whether those are the death

[00:08:18] [SPEAKER_00]: of a loved one, other paths or significant life changes. This can magnify the emotional response,

[00:08:26] [SPEAKER_00]: making the current grief feel even more overwhelming and I sure felt that.

[00:08:32] [SPEAKER_00]: To manage this compound grief, it's important to allow space for both the present and past

[00:08:39] [SPEAKER_00]: emotions to be expressed. Recognizing that the loss of the pet can evoke much more than it seems

[00:08:49] [SPEAKER_00]: on the surface can be a first step toward acknowledging and processing the depth of one's feelings.

[00:08:59] [SPEAKER_00]: So in my case, it was feeling the loss of my father, which had just been a couple years ago

[00:09:07] [SPEAKER_00]: and it seemed like also every pet I ever had was top of mind for me. Looking at number two,

[00:09:18] [SPEAKER_00]: grieving the loss of a pet can feel different from grieving the loss of a person in several ways.

[00:09:25] [SPEAKER_00]: The both are can be deeply painful. Here are some key distinctions. Pets often provide unconditional

[00:09:34] [SPEAKER_00]: love companionship and non-verbal emotional support. The grief might center around the loss

[00:09:42] [SPEAKER_00]: of their constant presence and the daily routines built around them. While the loss of a person

[00:09:50] [SPEAKER_00]: is more complex, emotionally and influenced by the depth of the relationship and shared history

[00:09:58] [SPEAKER_00]: and the roles they played in our lives, all of this can be brought up. It can also stir

[00:10:05] [SPEAKER_00]: memories, unresolved issues or guilt, making the grieving process more layered.

[00:10:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Society sometimes undervalues the grief associated with losing a pet. This can make pet grief

[00:10:22] [SPEAKER_00]: feel more isolating. As people may not always understand or acknowledge the depth of the loss.

[00:10:30] [SPEAKER_00]: But I think in my case, there were so many of you that understood the pet grief I had.

[00:10:39] [SPEAKER_00]: While the societal recognition and support for grieving the loss of a person,

[00:10:44] [SPEAKER_00]: whether through ceremonies like funerals or communal expressions of sympathy,

[00:10:51] [SPEAKER_00]: the grief of losing a pet can also be intense. It is more straightforward and focused on sadness

[00:11:00] [SPEAKER_00]: from losing our companion, and some find that while the grief from losing a pet is intense,

[00:11:08] [SPEAKER_00]: it may not last as long as you and grief, though this varies greatly. And the depth of a pet may

[00:11:16] [SPEAKER_00]: affect daily routines, but it might not create significant life changes beyond that.

[00:11:23] [SPEAKER_00]: While losing a loved one often has larger practical implications, such as the need to settle

[00:11:31] [SPEAKER_00]: a state, a dad, family dynamics or deal with shared responsibilities, all of that is huge.

[00:11:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Ultimately both types of loss are valid and meaningful. Grief is personal

[00:11:45] [SPEAKER_00]: and may be influenced by the unique bond memories and roles that either the pet or the person

[00:11:53] [SPEAKER_00]: played in our life. The number three question was about a sudden versus a prior knowledge

[00:12:01] [SPEAKER_00]: of one step, so that it could be planned. As I stated, I felt surprised and not at all prepared

[00:12:10] [SPEAKER_00]: for Kate's passing. I really felt like I was in shock. There is significant research that

[00:12:19] [SPEAKER_00]: explores the difference between the emotional, psychological and social impacts of a sudden death

[00:12:26] [SPEAKER_00]: versus a prolonged passing. These two types of loss tend to affect the grieving process and

[00:12:33] [SPEAKER_00]: distinct ways, but both can present unique challenges for the bereaved.

[00:12:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Settendeths that occur without warning leave no time for mental or emotional preparation,

[00:12:47] [SPEAKER_00]: which can lead to intense shock and trauma, which is why I felt

[00:12:53] [SPEAKER_00]: studies indicate that the lack of closure or chance to say goodbye can lead to prolonged or

[00:13:00] [SPEAKER_00]: complicated grief, where emotions such as anger, guilt and regret may be amplified.

[00:13:08] [SPEAKER_00]: These kinds of deaths often leave the bereaved searching for meaning and trying to understand why

[00:13:15] [SPEAKER_00]: the loss occurred. Research also shows that people dealing with prolonged passing

[00:13:22] [SPEAKER_00]: often experience anticipatory grief, where they begin grieving the loss before it actually occurs.

[00:13:31] [SPEAKER_00]: This allows some level of emotional preparation and may reduce the initial shock

[00:13:36] [SPEAKER_00]: when the death happens. This kind of death provides more time for meaning making,

[00:13:44] [SPEAKER_00]: which can help some individuals cope better. They may be able to find closure by reconciling

[00:13:51] [SPEAKER_00]: with the inevitability of death, saying their gubys and even reflecting on the life-lived.

[00:13:59] [SPEAKER_00]: And number four, perhaps by looking at how grief is manifested, we can look at different

[00:14:07] [SPEAKER_00]: emotional manifestations like my guilt. All overwhelming feelings of sadness are the most recognized

[00:14:16] [SPEAKER_00]: form of grief. This may come in waves or be constant. Grief can also trigger anger towards the

[00:14:25] [SPEAKER_00]: situation, the deceased oneself or even others. Some may feel anger over the unfairness of loss

[00:14:33] [SPEAKER_00]: or unresolved issues. Many people experience guilt over things left unsaid or actions taken

[00:14:41] [SPEAKER_00]: or not taken before the loss. guilt may also come from a sense of relief, especially in the case

[00:14:50] [SPEAKER_00]: of prolonged illness. My guilt was kind of like, hmm, could I have done something that I didn't

[00:14:59] [SPEAKER_00]: to save little Kate's life? And I realized, nope, it was exactly as it was supposed to be.

[00:15:09] [SPEAKER_00]: My peek could, to review the stages of grief, authored by Elizabeth Cooper Ross, and know that

[00:15:17] [SPEAKER_00]: not everyone experiences grief in a linear progression. But these five stages of grief can help us

[00:15:24] [SPEAKER_00]: frame our common emotional response. First, there's denial, refusing to accept the reality of the

[00:15:37] [SPEAKER_00]: death. I was not believing the dog was dead. There was no warning at the time.

[00:15:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Second, anger. Dealing anger at the situation at the deceased or even at one self,

[00:15:52] [SPEAKER_00]: I did feel a bit of anger toward the vet office staff. My perception said they all seem to be staring at me.

[00:15:58] [SPEAKER_00]: It's like cried my eyes out, then bargaining. And I know that that was misplaced. There was

[00:16:06] [SPEAKER_00]: not about the staff. I was definitely my perception, then bargaining.

[00:16:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Trying to negotiate or make deals with a higher power to reverse or less in the loss,

[00:16:19] [SPEAKER_00]: I needed to know it was not my fault. I followed my depression. Deep sadness and despair over

[00:16:27] [SPEAKER_00]: the loss often accompanied by withdrawal from others. Yeah, definitely did that. And then acceptance.

[00:16:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Coming to terms with reality of the loss though, not necessarily feeling okay about it.

[00:16:45] [SPEAKER_00]: For me, I could see myself moving into acceptance after Kiki, my Gen Z daughter,

[00:16:51] [SPEAKER_00]: who was on the show from time to time with my other daughter Emma.

[00:16:56] [SPEAKER_00]: And I attended a sound bath with her, which I found very healing. I sound bath for those who don't know

[00:17:04] [SPEAKER_00]: isn't immersive experience for participants, bath in the sounds and vibrations of instruments,

[00:17:12] [SPEAKER_00]: like Tibetan singing bulbs. I know some of you listening, saying, oh those kind of burdens.

[00:17:21] [SPEAKER_00]: But who knows how things happen or loosen up or how we heal? But after the sound bath,

[00:17:29] [SPEAKER_00]: I was able to see the beliefs I was holding on. And one, in particular, was something like

[00:17:38] [SPEAKER_00]: I wasn't a good dog mom or Caitlyn when dev died. And then layered on that was something like,

[00:17:48] [SPEAKER_00]: others have negatively judged me because I haven't grieved correctly.

[00:17:56] [SPEAKER_00]: And once I saw those, I could see they were not true. Do a little by Rinkady work on them

[00:18:03] [SPEAKER_00]: and let them go and then move on. Not feeling so bad. I also wanted to share what I learned

[00:18:13] [SPEAKER_00]: in the book, Finding Meaning. The sixth stage of grief, where David Kessler expands on the

[00:18:21] [SPEAKER_00]: original five stages we just went through. Kessler who worked with Kubla Ross introduces

[00:18:28] [SPEAKER_00]: quote, Finding Meaning. As the sixth stage, emphasizing that healing through grief involves

[00:18:38] [SPEAKER_00]: more than just acceptance. It's about discovering a deeper meaning in the loss.

[00:18:45] [SPEAKER_00]: You're some key points that David Kessler's book makes. While acceptance helps us come to terms

[00:18:54] [SPEAKER_00]: with reality of loss, Meaning allows us to make sense of it and find purpose in life again.

[00:19:03] [SPEAKER_00]: And that's why he's added a sixth stage of grief. Meaning is not about understanding why

[00:19:13] [SPEAKER_00]: the loss happened. But about how we choose to live after the loss. It's an active process of

[00:19:21] [SPEAKER_00]: creating meaning in the aftermath of pain. So for me, you can probably get other. I found myself

[00:19:30] [SPEAKER_00]: with questions that I wanted to research and then share with you. Katelyn not only impacted our

[00:19:38] [SPEAKER_00]: family, but by listening today, our loss is touching you too, which gives it meaning.

[00:19:47] [SPEAKER_00]: She is giving us much to learn from her time here. Kessler emphasizes that there's no set time frame

[00:20:01] [SPEAKER_00]: for when someone should quote, move on from their grief. Grief is unique to each person and can

[00:20:11] [SPEAKER_00]: last a lifetime. I found a few more of his insights out for. Kessler explains that finding

[00:20:21] [SPEAKER_00]: meaning isn't about getting over the loss. But instead about redefining life without the deceased

[00:20:31] [SPEAKER_00]: and discovering how to honor their memory through actions or purpose.

[00:20:39] [SPEAKER_00]: He stresses that meaning is deeply personal and varies for everyone. But gives one person

[00:20:47] [SPEAKER_00]: meaning may be different for another, and that's okay. It's about what resonates for the individual.

[00:20:57] [SPEAKER_00]: For some, meaning might come from keeping the deceased's memory alive, such as through rituals,

[00:21:04] [SPEAKER_00]: creating a legacy or making life changes inspired by the loss. A kind of honor for the love held

[00:21:13] [SPEAKER_00]: for the deceased. It is in this way Kessler reframes grief as a reflection of love.

[00:21:24] [SPEAKER_00]: The depth of grief often corresponds to the depth of that connection.

[00:21:31] [SPEAKER_00]: By focusing on that love rather than solely on the pain, meaning can emerge.

[00:21:42] [SPEAKER_00]: He often reminds us that grief is a form of love that has nowhere to go after a loss

[00:21:48] [SPEAKER_00]: and through that love people can find meaning. My interpretation for the quote nowhere to go

[00:21:59] [SPEAKER_00]: is the finality of death. I felt helpless. It couldn't make it different. It couldn't control

[00:22:07] [SPEAKER_00]: the outcome. It was that helplessness that brought the grief. I also liked when Kessler says about

[00:22:18] [SPEAKER_00]: the importance of community in finding meaning. Connecting with others who have experienced

[00:22:24] [SPEAKER_00]: similar losses can provide comfort, validation and help in the meaning making process.

[00:22:34] [SPEAKER_00]: So a special shout out to Katelyn's mom, Cindy, who helped me every step along the way

[00:22:43] [SPEAKER_00]: right after her loss. She was grieving at the same time and creating space for us.

[00:22:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you. Thank you. Again, a shout out to all of those of you who are listening,

[00:23:00] [SPEAKER_00]: who sent hugs in love on our Facebook group page. You all should join us there if you're not.

[00:23:07] [SPEAKER_00]: I felt very supported and definitely connected to all of you. Thank you so much.

[00:23:13] [SPEAKER_00]: In several of our episodes, we've talked about resilience and Kessler promotes the idea

[00:23:20] [SPEAKER_00]: of continuing bonds with the deceased, which he says can be a source of resilience.

[00:23:28] [SPEAKER_00]: These bonds don't require letting go of the deceased, but instead involve finding ways to keep them

[00:23:35] [SPEAKER_00]: in your life. He suggests that finding meaning in grief often comes from the ongoing

[00:23:42] [SPEAKER_00]: relationship with the memory of the lost loved one. I know for me, I am always talking to my dad

[00:23:51] [SPEAKER_00]: and all of those in our family who have gone before me, I feel their presence all the time.

[00:23:59] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think you probably feel those, the presence of those you've lost to.

[00:24:07] [SPEAKER_00]: I've heard it said that relationships can actually improve after someone passes.

[00:24:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Hope Edelman, another expert on grief, particularly focused on the loss of mothers

[00:24:22] [SPEAKER_00]: and how that impacts daughters throughout their lives. Her books, motherless daughters and the

[00:24:29] [SPEAKER_00]: aftergrew, examine how relationships with the deceased continue to change and evolve

[00:24:36] [SPEAKER_00]: even decades after the loss. She explores how grief can lead to a deepening connection

[00:24:43] [SPEAKER_00]: with the deceased as individuals grow older and reflect on their lives.

[00:24:50] [SPEAKER_00]: And believe me, this is going to be a topic probably in the future because I'm someone who

[00:24:56] [SPEAKER_00]: anticipating the loss of my mother who was 95 and with whom I have a very strange relationship

[00:25:04] [SPEAKER_00]: right now. And I hope that our relationship will improve.

[00:25:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Kessler suggests that relationships can evolve after one's death.

[00:25:18] [SPEAKER_00]: As we find new ways to honor their legacy, learn from their lives and integrate their memory

[00:25:24] [SPEAKER_00]: into our own personal growth. I can see that definitely with my mother.

[00:25:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Victor Frankles, core idea and that's another author who's really an expert in this field.

[00:25:39] [SPEAKER_00]: States of suffering, including grief, is an inevitable part of life

[00:25:45] [SPEAKER_00]: and what matters most is how individuals respond to it. He argues that even in the worst circumstances

[00:25:54] [SPEAKER_00]: such as the loss of the loved one, we have the freedom to choose how we interpret and respond

[00:26:01] [SPEAKER_00]: to our suffering. Meaning can be found in grief by connecting with the love and memory of

[00:26:08] [SPEAKER_00]: the person or pat who has died very similar to what Kessler says.

[00:26:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Frankles suggests that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can control our

[00:26:20] [SPEAKER_00]: attitude toward them. He also writes about the tragic triad, pain, guilt and death,

[00:26:30] [SPEAKER_00]: which are inscapable realities of life. He argues that humans have the capacity to transcend

[00:26:39] [SPEAKER_00]: these realities by finding meaning in them. In the context of grief, Frankles would suggest that

[00:26:48] [SPEAKER_00]: millions of loss can be a catalyst for personal growth and a deeper understanding of one's purpose.

[00:26:58] [SPEAKER_00]: And he writes about the continuing bonds with the deceased when he says this.

[00:27:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Our relationship with those who have passed away don't end with their death.

[00:27:11] [SPEAKER_00]: The love and meaning we derive from these relationships can continue to guide and inspire us.

[00:27:19] [SPEAKER_00]: In grief, one can find solace in the idea that the deceased influence remains present in our lives.

[00:27:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Frankles also emphasizes that grief is a natural and necessary reaction to the loss of someone

[00:27:37] [SPEAKER_00]: or something we deeply love. Grief itself is a testament to the love we held for the

[00:27:45] [SPEAKER_00]: person or the pet who has died. Rather than seeing grief as something to get over,

[00:27:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Frankle would argue that it is part of the profound human experience of love and connection.

[00:27:59] [SPEAKER_00]: For Frankle, grief is not just about mourning the loss but also about discovering

[00:28:07] [SPEAKER_00]: what the loss can teach us about life, love and resilience. I'd like to end today's episode

[00:28:18] [SPEAKER_00]: with a passage from Susan Cain's book, Bitter Sweet, a book we've covered previously as an episode.

[00:28:26] [SPEAKER_00]: I found myself referencing this passage as an automatic response about my own loss.

[00:28:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Quote, Bitter Sweetness is a tendency to states of longing,

[00:28:46] [SPEAKER_00]: poignancy and sorrow, and acute awareness passing time, and a curiously piercing joy at the beauty

[00:28:57] [SPEAKER_00]: of the world. The Bitter Sweetness also about the recognition that light and dark,

[00:29:07] [SPEAKER_00]: per and death, bitter and sweet are forever paired. Thank you for listening today and we

[00:29:23] [SPEAKER_00]: sure hope you enjoyed this episode and learned something new about grief. If you did, please leave

[00:29:30] [SPEAKER_00]: comment wherever you listen to your podcast. Tell a friend about us or join our public Facebook

[00:29:36] [SPEAKER_00]: group, Girl Take the Lead. We also have a YouTube channel where your subscription would be appreciated.

[00:29:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Once you're on YouTube search at Girl Take the Lead and we've recently expanded to YouTube

[00:29:49] [SPEAKER_00]: music where you can find a video of this episode. You can also check out our new store on our website

[00:29:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Girl Take the Lead pod.com slash shop and plan to return to it as we'll keep updating

[00:30:05] [SPEAKER_00]: products on an annoying basis. Here are three takeaways from our episode. One,

[00:30:14] [SPEAKER_00]: grief is deeply personal and complex. Grief isn't limited to the death of a loved one and can

[00:30:21] [SPEAKER_00]: manifest through a wide range of emotions, often involving sadness, guilt or anger.

[00:30:30] [SPEAKER_00]: And David Kessler's work on the sixth stage of grief emphasizes that finding meaning in loss

[00:30:37] [SPEAKER_00]: can aid in the healing process, allowing us to redefine our lives while continuing bonds with the

[00:30:52] [SPEAKER_00]: layered losses. The loss of a pet can trigger cumulative grief, where past losses you re-emerge

[00:31:00] [SPEAKER_00]: and intensify the current experience. While society may not always acknowledge the death of a

[00:31:07] [SPEAKER_00]: pet grief, it can be profound as much as grieving a loved one. Pads provide emotional support

[00:31:16] [SPEAKER_00]: and companionship making their absence felt in everyday life. And three,

[00:31:25] [SPEAKER_00]: finding meaning is a crucial part of healing. David Kessler teaches that healing goes beyond

[00:31:34] [SPEAKER_00]: accepting the loss. It's about discovering the meaning in the aftermath. This process helps us

[00:31:43] [SPEAKER_00]: honor the memory of what we've lost and find purpose in life again. Meaning is personal

[00:31:50] [SPEAKER_00]: and can come from ongoing connections with loved ones, rituals are reflecting on the lessons

[00:31:58] [SPEAKER_00]: their lives offered us. Our next episode will feature Ellen Katherine Shumlaff, a quantum healer

[00:32:09] [SPEAKER_00]: enlightenment mentor and best-selling co-author and an international speaker.

[00:32:17] [SPEAKER_00]: She is amazing, you guys! And we'll cover some very cool topics like manifestations,

[00:32:26] [SPEAKER_00]: the seven life lessons and the quantum enlightenment system. So please join us again.

[00:32:35] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'll talk to you soon. Bye!