BRAVE Responsibility

Responsibility in BRAVE-ing Grief and Healing

Grief is an overwhelming and complex experience. It's often a pain that defies description, an emptiness that feels insurmountable at times. In this deep sadness, the concept of radical responsibility, of BRAVE responsibility, can make all the difference and offer a path toward healing and resilience.

Responsibility is about taking full ownership of our responses to our life's events, even the most tragic ones. And I can say with almost full certainty that if you are reading this post, you have experienced one of the most tragic of life events. Responsibility doesn't mean blaming ourselves or denying the validity of our pain and grief. Instead, it involves acknowledging our feelings, actions, and choices after our losses, empowering us to navigate our pain with intention, purpose, and self-compassion.

Embracing Our Emotions

Grieving the loss of a child is one of the most intense and challenging experiences I am living. And by reading this blog, I can assume that you have endured something similar.

Whether the loss of a child, spouse, sibling, or parent, taking radical responsibility means allowing ourselves to fully feel and express our emotions. It's about recognizing that our grief is valid and necessary and then facing our emotions to process our pain in a healthy and constructive way.

Finding Our Path

Radical responsibility encourages us to find our own path through grief. Now this doesn’t mean we need to go at this alone. It means finding supports, tools, and resources that assist you in healing. This could be joining a support group or engaging in individual therapy. It could also mean seeking creative outlets, such as writing, art, movement, or music.

The key is to take inspired action with tangible, proactive steps that resonate with us personally, rather than passively waiting for time to heal our wounds. I think we all know time does not heal. Yet time, plus intention, can help transform our grief.

Practicing Self-Compassion

Taking radical responsibility for our grief also involves practicing self-compassion. We must be gentle with ourselves as we navigate this difficult time. Understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve and that our feelings may change from day to day. We need to permit ourselves to rest, to cry, and to find moments of fun, joy, and laughter along with the sadness and sorrow.

Creating Meaning and Legacy

One way to honor our loved one's memory is by finding ways to create legacy out of our loss. This could involve starting a charitable project, volunteering, or by simply sharing our person's story with others. By taking responsibility for how we choose to remember and honor our loved one, we can transform our grief into a powerful force for good. And this world could use a lot of good right now. Be their light. Be their love.