Memorial Day 2010

Wow...time goes by fast. So many things have happened since the anniversary of my very first post and creation of the blog, Grief Sanctuary. One year ago today I decided to reach out to people all over our country to offer them words of healing and a sense of HOPE. On this Memorial Day please know that I wish you COMFORT...I wish you LOVE....I wish you JOY...and most importantly, I wish you A RETURN TO HOPE.

I am blessed to be able to support so many people that are grieving....please know that I hold all of you in my heart today...and always.

Much love and many blessings,

Misti

Hello

Hello...wow where does time go? I am so sorry for taking an absence from the blog. Things have been busy....and new things are on the horizon for Grief Sanctuary. Some exciting things are happening for Grief Sanctuary...and I will report on it soon.

Today I would like to focus on thanking all of the amazing people in Frankfort, Kentucky that invited me to be a part of their Compassionate Friends Regional Conference on March 19 and 20 of this year. As a Grief specialist, I must say this is one of the BEST grief conferences I have ever attended. The committee puts so much time and effort to pull off a healing weekend.

The Compassionate Friends is a national non-profit organization for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. It is ran by volunteers.

This past weekend I was honored to be invited inside their sacred circle to offer a Creative Arts workshop. I taught the workshop members the healing qualities of Expressive Arts and how to use it as a form of expression and healing for their grief journey. I am honored to report my workshop got some wonderful reviews. I am even more honored that I have already been asked to come back next year as a workshop presenter. As I am passionate about sharing and teaching about the healing benefits of Expressive/Creative Arts.

I encourage you to contact your local chapter of The Compassionate Friends if you have suffered the loss of a child, sibling or grandchild. The following is the link for their national website: http://www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx

This is a journey that you do not need to walk alone. Please reach out to your local chapter of Compassionate Friends. As well as, attend one of their regional or national conferences. The regional/national conferences and local chapters are ran by the experts. All of them have experienced the loss of a child, sibling or grandchild. So, they understand your pain.

Wishing all of you peace, comfort and a RETURN TO HOPE.

Love and many blessings to you,

Misti

Haiti Earthquake

Dear Readers,
My heart is heavy for Haiti. This past week we have seen a horrific tragedy in Haiti. I am afraid this is only the beginning of their crisis. If they do not get the proper relief and medical care...I assume things will escalate and more humans will perish.

I have traveled to Haiti years ago. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. However, during my visit I could not comprehend the poverty. No one wore shoes...the few that did have shoes, their shoes were one of a kind. I remember talking to a woman in the market. I assumed she was in her mid 40's. As we talked...I discovered that she was a teenager. A mere 14 years old. I suppose this young lady appeared so much older due to the harshness of her life circumstances. Her image has been forever etched into my mind. I have often wondered where she is today...or what her life is like. Possibly she has not survived this earthquake.

Please dig deep into your pockets...and send a donation to help Haiti. There are many organizations out there needing donations and money for Haiti. So, pick your favorite organization and send them a donation for Haiti. Even if you cannot send money....please send your prayers and well-wishes. Haiti needs all the help they can get at this time.

Love and Blessings,

Misti

In Memory of September 11

Today please keep in your hearts, mind and prayers....all those that perished on this terrible anniversary date in our American history. May we all wish healing for the families and friends that had someone involved in this terrible tragedy.

Meditation/Affirmation for the day

On this day I wish for PEACE, LOVE and HOPE to fill all of the friends and families that lost loved ones on 9/11.

Writing Wednesdays

For those of you participating in Writing Wednesdays...sorry about last week. I have been on the road and Internet connections were very sketchy. Anyway, today I have extra prompts to make up for last week! As always, I do hope you are on your healing journey. I also hope you are journaling your grief journey. Journaling can be very healing and therapeutic. It also will allow you to glance back on the past....to see how far you have come in your healing journey.

Journal Prompts

The support I need most during this healing journey is.................

These are the ways I can best obtain the above types of support.........

My greatest emotional needs are........................

The people, places or things that I can turn to when I need extra support are.............

These are the ways the grief support group has helped me.................

These are the things, actions, and/or people that help me get through a tough day.......

Wishing you Peace, Comfort and a Return to HOPE.

Welcome to Writing Wednesdays......

If you are actively grieving..I do hope you will attempt to journal. Journaling can be healing, insightful and provide a source of connection to your deceased loved one. Many resist journaling. Many get overwhelmed with the idea of starting a journal. However, you can keep journaling very simple and still gain therapeutic value. For example, limit you time to journaling. Devote only ten to fifteen minutes to writing....especially in the beginning to make sure that it isn't too emotionally overwhelming. Obviously, if it is too emotionally overwhelming for you to journal...back off from the journaling.

If you do choose to journal.....please come back and visit every Wednesday. Each Wednesday I will have a new grief related writing prompt(s). Today's Writing Wednesday prompts.

This week.................................

I hope to.............................................

Sometimes grief feels like.............................

Wishing you Comfort, Peace and Hope.

"A Return to HOPE" Affirmations

I would like to "introduce" you to a new set of affirmation cards I have written with the bereaved in mind. This little set of healing reminder cards can be helpful to carry around in your pocket, to set out on your nightstand, or anywhere that will be helpful for you notice them through the day. Every so often I will post an affirmation from the set....I hope the affirmations are helpful for you.

IN THIS MOMENT I WILL ACCEPT

THAT IT IS OKAY TO

BEGIN MY HEALING JOURNEY.

The set of cards can be used in a variety of ways. The following is a sample of uses.

*You can pick a random card to use for meditation.

*You can use the cards to initiate writing a journal entry.

*You can use the cards for visualization techniques.

*You can use the cards for a "quiet moment" and as a reminder that you can heal.

*You can use the cards for deep breathing techniques.

*You can pick a card to carry in your pocket for the day...and pause throughout the day to focus

on the hopeful affirmation.

*You can keep them on your nightstand...and pick one out for the morning...to help you through

the day.



As always...wishing you comfort, peace and A RETURN to HOPE.