It's a warm sunny afternoon and I am reflecting on a workshop I facilitated this morning at Simply Natural Therapies: 'Love Transcends Death - Staying Connected.'

Once the introductions were completed the session evolved into a heartfelt communication where all participants shared their personal stories. I began with my journey through grief following my mum's sudden death in 2011 and how writing became one of my most powerful healing tools as I embraced every single emotion and feeling that presented.

Through my writing I discovered a connection with my mum that truly transcends life on earth and found many other ways to keep our connection alive. The more I wrote the stronger the connection.

I now write to her and chat to her in everyday life. It is a beautiful and uplifting relationship that sustains me.

As a group we explored ways to acknowledge our grief as individuals and ways to stay connected with our loved ones. Personal experiences were shared which helped us all realise we are not alone and our feelings are okay.

Many were in the early stages of grief having lost loved ones in recent months or less than a year while others had lost loved ones several years ago. Each one knew the raw emotion of loss and the walls they created in their lives to resist the pain. Some acknowledged they were not yet ready to embrace that pain.

It was a humbling experience to sit with and acknowledge people who were willing to share their grief. Others were more comfortable sitting and observing the processes being shared and soon realised this was a safe, healing space. As the session evolved each and every one opened their hearts to whatever healing processes resonated for them.

By the end of the session everyone recognised they now had a fresh approach to help them on their journey.

Feedback:
Comments included ‘comforting, understanding, supportive, thank you so much, extremely informative, excellent’.

Jude xoxoxo

Judy Taylor
Author of ‘Mum Moments - Journey Through Grief’

Suddenly ... Death was in my face ... What Now?

The end of a life on earth as we know it.

Unimaginable that this is happening. Everything… everything I know… everything I believe is in my face and suddenly I don't know anymore. I don't believe anything. 

I'm just sitting in the experience of death.
 
Whatever your belief system, however those beliefs resonate for you, suddenly this overwhelming experience is in your face.
 
Whatever you thought you were living… whatever direction you thought you were going… it all changes when suddenly death is in your face.
 
Grief becomes a word that rears its head with each breath as you contemplate what death means when it actually becomes your reality.
 
Reality as you know it changes as you experience emotions you may have resisted all your life. Now these emotions jump out of nowhere and take you on the journey called grief.
 
In my experience embracing my feelings, embracing all the emotions without judgement was the way I found my way through.
 
It was hard. It was raw. It was devastating.  It was unfair. It was unbelievable. It was a dream. It was a nightmare. It was a roller coaster.
 
So I embraced it all. I wrote through the pain and found the love in my heart to keep living.
 
Now I am living a wonderful life where I share my experiences, share my words to offer love comfort and support to others as they embrace their own experience of grief.
 
Take a moment to sit quietly. Close your eyes… focus on your breathing. Observe your feelings and continue to focus on your breathing. Do this for as long as you like and when you are ready ask yourself the question: "what is the most important thing I can do for ME right now?" You will have the answer before you finish the question.
 
Can you tell me if this helps you?
 
Jude xoxoxo
20th August 2014

Thank you for visiting my website www.positive signs.com.au and Mum Moments - Journey Through Grief Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mum-Moments-Journey-Through-Grief/724885690872207

Just letting you know that I have reviewed the price of my book to make it affordable for everyone who needs it. Price details for both paperback and ebook are on the website.

Jude xoxoxo