Grief Without Formulas: Creating Space for Grief and Loss

In this episode, Elizabeth Klein, Executive Director of Wellness Within, and Patti Brown, LMFT and Founder, discuss the many forms of grief, highlighting that it's not limited to losing a loved one but extends to various types of loss. They explore society's limited understanding of grief and the need for spaces to express and honor it. Challenging a formulaic approach, they emphasize that recognizing and expressing grief is key to living fully. They also share personal experiences, offering insights on how rituals like storytelling and art can help navigate the grieving process and foster a sense of aliveness.

Fear
by Kahlil Gibran

It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that's where the river will know
it's not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.

This podcast is sponsored in part by Kaiser Permanente, Umpqua bank, UC Davis Health. It is offered freely to ensure everyone has access to these practices and conversations offered by Wellness Within Cancer Support Services. If you feel inspired to donate to support Wellness Within offerings, please visit www.wellnesswithin.org/give