Dealing with Grief during Christmas

by Alleana Fuentes, MS, Mental Health Therapist Here is a pinch of insight from Alleana:

• … grief or pighati, ito ay “natural, normal, emotional response as a result of a loss.”… Any sort of loss can bring about this sensation this response, this feeling of grief. … being available with our presence is the best thing that we can offer.

• Minsan, kinekwestyon pa natin yung mga tao kung nakapag-move on na sila, … that’s something that we don’t want to demand from people because, … there’s no timeline in grief.

• Hindi tayo nandoon para ayusin yung nararamdaman nila but we’re there to really sit with them through the pain, through the grief and be there for them.

• We may not have the ideal way of mourning the loss, but your loss is still valid, the grieving and emotions that you’re feeling are still very much real and true and you’re allowed to feel what you’re feeling.

• Personal relationship with Christ really does help as well in getting that hope that maybe we can’t find.

• Everyone grieves differently, may mga personal na journey path ang bawat tao sa pag-grieve so hindi natin siyang sabihin na isang strict timeline lang.

• As cliche as it may sound, the easiest way out of grief is actually through it. Preno -proseso natin yung grief.

• Actually, the more that we run away from it, the more we deny it, mas mapro-prolong ang grieving process.

• … it’s really important for us to allow ourselves to just feel those feelings, even though it’s difficult, little by little until we reach a place where we’re okay.

• In this time of grieving, I think mahalagang mag-turn din tayo sa Bible at makakita ng source of comfort.

• Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” So when we feel like we can’t handle it on our own anymore, we also have Christ to turn to, to help us as we weep, as we mourn, as we grieve.