Seasons of “G”s — Grief, Gratitude and Growth

April 3, 2020

It’s fair to say with absolute certainty, that nothing will ever be the same again.

When we look back at this unprecedented moment in time, we’ll always see it in two chapters: life “BC” or before COVID19 and life “AC” or after COVID19.

But things are not that simple.

Just like the anatomy of a story that has a beginning, middle, and end — what we’re all going through right now is that uncertain middle.

It is during this stage where we experience the seasons of “G”s: grief, gratitude, and growth.

Grief

Anytime we experience a loss, we experience grief.

We long for what was.

We search for things, people and places that make us feel, feel something.

COVID19 has taken away all of this, everything that was “normal.”

So what do we do?

We cry.

We deny.

We get angry.

We grieve for what was and what could have been.

We know things will never be the same again.

That is most definitely a loss that we grieve.

This grief stays with us until we’re ready.

Everyone has their own way and time to process.

Trust the process, no matter how long it takes.

We are not alone.

We’re always in a state of transition, especially now.

Gratitude

When you acknowledge your grief, you make room for an attitude of gratitude.

The world is in total disruption in every conceivable way possible.

But there’s still plenty to be thankful for even in our darkest moments.

When the sun rises, you get to start again.

When the sun sets, you get to say goodbye to the day as it slips into the past.

We’re in a 24-hour cycle that allows us to choose how to respond to situations that come our way.

And we are not alone on this journey.

In these times, the community is even more important.

Connections and reconnections come into focus.

Time has allowed for a space for reflection on what is truly important.

Growth

When we acknowledge our grief and practice gratitude, we make way for growth.

We only grow when things are uncomfortable, scary and unfamiliar.

This is our greatest test.

Can we come together in this moment of crisis to help others but also take care of ourselves?

It’s not being selfish but being selfless — practicing a mindset of self-care.

This literal pause in time has presented this opportunity.

It will also challenge us.

It will cause us to break down.

It will cause us to question everything and everyone.

That’s ok.

Use that energy to empower a way forward.

We can’t solve everything by ourselves.

We need each other.

We need to push and pull each other to get through this chaos.

We don’t know what will happen in the next few days, months, years.

But one thing is certain, we cannot give up.

We cannot give up on each other.

We cannot give up on ourselves.

We have come too far to surrender to fear and panic and uncertainty.

It’s time to innovate.

It’s time to create the future we know is possible for ourselves and together as one humanity.