This is Part 3 of my story regarding the various ways that helped me heal the pain from the loss of our 16 year-old son, Zane.
Welcome.
After the initial, primal stabs of emotion waned a bit, I did feel some peace. But then I asked myself the question, “What now?”
To my surprise, I did notice something that was positive in this early grieving time (thank goodness).
It came to me from my Personal Performance training.
When I showed horses, my job as a competitor was to call up a state of high positive emotion before I showed, no matter how I really felt at that moment. This would allow me to think, feel and ride at my personal best … moment-to-moment.
Of course, after Zane’s passing, I felt how I felt. I knew it was important to walk through my grieving emotions and not push them aside. I wasn’t sure exactly how to do that. All I knew is that I had no desire to mask my emotions.
Because of my training in emotional mindfulness for competition, I always noticed how I felt.
Along the way, I observed some good feelings during this early time.
I had 20-20 vision about what was important to me. I mean really important … not just ‘on the surface’ important. The awareness of what I valued comforted me.
God, family, and friends … and me making sure I did my part to insure an ever deepening relationship with all of them. Those relationships mattered to me.
I also wanted to make sure my career … as I moved forward … was meaningful to me … and enjoyable.
I committed to live this way.
I knew striving to live my values would bring, not only healing, but a sense of personal ease for the rest of my life, if only I could find a way to keep my values in front of me.
I now strive to do this consistently. I keep a journal. I have daily routines to keep me grounded.
In the aftermath of losing Zane, I also wanted to live and work by a sense of purpose.
I wanted to do more through my work. I came to realize I wanted to encourage others to know how awesome they are … and live their dreams.
This helped me look forward, instead of backwards.
I still trust this process because I’m still here. My work is not over.
I want to do the best job I can now in my work … not for the sake of personal recognition, but because I believe we are all meant to share our talents.
We never know how our lives impact others in a positive way … just as our loved one’s life impacted us.
A few days ago, Tom found a swim cap at the pool where he swims for exercise. With a little research he found out that yes, indeed, the high school swim team had this text on their caps. And, yes it was our Zane.
We had no idea. We were amazed.
Zane’s life continues to impact people almost 18 years later in ways we don’t know, unless we happen to find a swim cap.
It’s been very healing for me to trust in that bigger picture … even though I don’t always know exactly what the picture is.
Also from my Personal Performance training I have a keen sense of what I can control and what I can’t control.
I can only control tuning into my values and purpose, and living from both of them to the best of my ability.
And, I believe there is one more sacred purpose for those of us who grieve. We are meant to comfort others who grieve. It comforts them … and us.
I believe our purposes are not complicated, nor do they have to do with something grandiose.
It’s as simple as listening to our hearts; following through on what we love; and loving each other.
Feel free to let me know what you think about these ideas concerning values and purpose. Just click the link here.
I wish you comfort, peace and healing.