Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

Our community continues to reel from the tragedy that befell us on Saturday, January 8, 2011. There are no words to describe what those at the scene witnessed or will have to carry in their hearts and minds as they press forward. Each soul touched by this event has entered a process of grieving and loss that will no doubt be uniquely their own. As we make our way through the weeks and months ahead, it is important to reflect and identify what about the event has caused us pain. Is it the fact that so many lives were taken and so many people were injured? Is it the fact that the life of a promising young child was ripped from us or that several public servants were struck down? Is it the fact that a young, angry man from our own community lashed out so violently? Is it the fact that the shooter exhibited so many warning signs of mental instability and was not receiving adequate treatment? These are but a few examples of the feelings and thoughts that many of us are contemplating. These feelings should be addressed if we choose to move forward in a healthy fashion.

Preparation for healing is a thought provoking process taking an enormous amount of time, patience, and energy. If you would like to address these feelings in a healthy fashion here is one way to get started:

1) Reflect on what has touched you the most about the tragedy.
2) Write your thoughts down ranking them from most intense to least intense.
3) Decide which way you want to address your list starting at the most or least intense.
4) Let the words, "Let me heal by...,"guide you forward.
5) As you begin to work on your plan of healing note what is working and fine tune these actions while dropping wasteful acts to the side.
6) Give yourself as much time as you need to move through this process of healing.

If you wish to carry your healing process forward, think about how your reflection on the event empowered you to take a positive and healthy step forward. If torn by the death of a child consider volunteering at an elementary school. If shooting down of public servants enraged you consider helping out at the next election or offer your support to a public servant of your liking. The important thing is to take action and get involved.

Finally, if you know one of the survivors or a member of their family remember help takes on many shapes and forms. The important thing is to assure the individual or family that you would like to help in any way possible. Many times the victim(s) will not know what to ask for in the form of support. In this case, think about the things you do well and offer your skill as a gift. If you bake or cook well make a commitment to drop off a dish each Wednesday for the next eight weeks. If you like to clean or do yard work offer your services and be sure to state what you will be doing, which day of the week you will do it, and for how long you are offering your service. This will give the individual something to look forward to for a defined amount of time. You know what you like to do and what you do well. This is a great place to start and allows the individual time to heal by removing one item off their, "Things to do List."

I hope you will take the time to reflect, grow, and move forward on your journey to a healthy and happier life.

Take care and be healthy,

Kimberley