Rewarded for Denying Grief?

Okay, I've calmed down now.

I was reading Tuesday's paper and noticed a blurb about a movie director praising Liam Neeson's professionalism on the set, despite Neeson's grief over the recent loss of his wife.

The article said "A colleague of Liam Neeson's says the actor showed remarkable professionalism in returning to work so soon after the death of wife Natasha Richardson."

I first read that to mean that Neeson was being rewarded for showing up to work, despite coping with a broken heart. Nwo I think it is just saying his co-workers were impressed that he was able to give of himself in this trying time.

The article pushed a button for me because I don't think you can put a cookie cutter timetable on grief recovery. And I hate this concept that you get three days off for bereavement leave because that's all the corporate giants will give you. Like everything is fine and back to normal after three days! Grrrr. It just supports this society's notion to put a bandaid over our feelings and ignore the heart of us.

I understand Neeson's commitment to his work ethic. I just hope he has the same commitment to himself and his own grieving process and can really honor his emotions as he rides the roller coaster of grief.

Are you?

Dealing With Money Loss Can Be So Taxing!

The receipts have been filed, the official forms long signed and mailed. Yep, taxes are done for another year. I noticed on Facebook that many people were complaining about doing their taxes; perhaps that's because it is a little bit harder to give up those dollars due when a money crisis is happening in our country.

Does the idea of giving up a bit of your moola make your eyes misty? Are you suffering from money loss? You're not alone. The volatile money landscape today is causing high numbers of people to worry about their tomorrows. And losing our money still produces a grief response that mimics what we might go through over the loss of a person close to us.

Only this time the loss isn't about a loved one, it's about the loss of dreams and goals. And just like trusting and believing our financial picture will rebound and our accounts will grow, so can we get back in touch with the dreams and goals we feel are now lost. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:

$ Grab some paper and a pen and write out your vision for your dream. What exactly do you dream of having happen in your life? Paint a picture of the scene: where are you, who are you with, what kind of day is it, what are you wearing, etc. Remembering the details helps put you in the feeling place of having your desires manifest.

$ Get in the feeling place and stay there for a bit. What will it be like when you have achieved your goal or have your goal as your reality? Will you feel content? Relieved? Satisfied? Energized or humble? Feeling the feelings you will have when your desires are made real helps to attract the experience to you.

$ Picture it. Using the power of your mind, visualize the results you want. Put yourself in the scene and imagine the dream unfolding as you want it to. You can also clip out a magazine picture or a phrase that represents your goal or dream to you. Glancing at that picture or seeing that phrase regularly throughout the day will jolt your brain and remind you why you are doing what you are.

$ Tell the voices in your head to be quiet. It shouldn't surprise you to hear messages of doubt from yourself, just as you really get in to this reconnecting process. You know what I mean. Your inner self says “Oh please! Like this is going to happen! What planet are you on? Don't you know these are tough times? You'll never get the dream job or car or home or vacation! Give it up!” At this point, simply acknowledge the thoughts, but focus on what you do want instead.

Prosperity flows where our attention goes. Put your attention on what you do want, not on what you don't, and know that we will get through these tough times.