I’m very interested in grief, loss, and how we approach these topics on an individual and societal level.
It’s a subject that fascinates me largely because of a life path that has given me a magnified, intimate look at death, depression, and suicide.
Our culture and society aren’t too big on death. It’s one of those awkward topics we’d rather be talked about in therapists’ offices and bedrooms.
I recently attended a Yoga for Cancer workshop with a friend who has cancer where the teacher pointed out this sober reality:
“None of us are getting out of this alive.”
Some of us have to face our mortality sooner than others, in the instances of illness or loss of a loved one. For the rest of us, it’s just a matter of time, realistically speaking.
I don’t say that to be morbid or negative. I say it as a wake-up call.
I find it so helpful to learn how other people have coped with loss, death, or averted suicide. Surprisingly, these stories often reveal people who have not just survived, but have thrived.
Many situations are hard to imagine ever recovering from, such as the loss of a child. Yet Desiree Rumbaugh shows it can be done in her story, “Love is Stronger Than Fear.”
Yoga teacher J. Brown shares his experience of losing his mother and his decline towards suicide, penning this poignant line:
“At some point, I got very low, so low that I felt I either needed to kill myself or find another way to live.”
And I was surprised to find such a comprehensive piece on loss as Yoga for Grief and Professor June Gruber’s study on Resilience.
I hope to offer more resources and survival stories in the future.
For now, this is my bottom line:
There is not a way out of loss, pain, or death. But there is a way through.
monique minahan 
Hey Mo- I’m glad to discover your blog. I love what you are doing. Thanks for allowing me to be a resource. Cheers.
Thanks J! Appreciate your comment. I’m glad to meet you on this path…
Having had suicidal ideations, myself, it isn’t difficult to see why you are interested in the subject of grief. Grief is present wherever there are suicidal ideations. However, it is the thing or things that caused the grief in the first place, that determines each individuals response. Some choose suicide for the obvious reason that they believe their death will remove them (permanently) from the source of grief. These people probably do not have a strong belief in the afterlife so do not fear any possibility of punishment for killing themselves. I believe in a merciful God and that all of my sins have already been paid for by Jesus Christ. He took my punishment. So, what have I to fear in death? At most, an unhappy Father who will welcome home a disobedient child. However, I am in a state of depression right now, so I would feel this action to not be pleasing to God, and I do want to please Him. But, when I am suffering from major. depression, I am unable to reason and to purpose to do the right thing. I hope this helps give you at least a little more perspective. I enjoyed the post. Very insightful.
Food for the Journey… thank you for sharing your perspective. Every person is so unique! I’ve seen belief systems that help some people can be harmful to others. I’ve also found yoga and mindfulness can be powerful aids in combating depression, gaining valuable insight, and finding peace in the present moment. It’s so important to learn your own mind and reach out for help when necessary. May love and strength be yours.
And yours as well. Thank you.