Microwaves, GPS, Duct Tape, Crazy Glue
Epi Pens, Blood Banks and Transfusions…
Inventions that feed us, find us, keep things together and keep us alive
a lot of what we take for granted
exists now because of war.
For those who have been blessed to live their lives in free and safe conditions, Remembrance Day can seem far removed from the realities of daily life. Yet every day we take advantage of technologies that came to us, through wartime innovation. There have been countless medical and scientific advances born on battlefields… but very few that advanced our standards of mental and emotional care.
We who live in peace, have the luxury of time and safety to heal our wounds but most of us were never taught how. Instead we fall back on emergency coping skills that were never meant to be used long term.
Don’t Be Sad
Be Strong
Stay Busy
Give it Time
Replace the Loss
… and if none of that works …
Grieve Alone
These old standards are useful for coping, moving forward and feeling sane when we are in the midst of tragic and dangerous circumstances but if you are reading this, you probably aren’t in tragic and dangerous circumstances.
It’s time to quit using coping skills and get on with healing the mental and emotional wounds we all carry.
The Grief Recovery Method teaches people how to quit coping and get on with life. It teaches people how to talk honestly about what they’re feeling, how to listen respectfully when others talk and then, it teaches small actions that when followed, lead to healing.
We do not honour our vets by acting as if we are at war.
We honour our vets by living the best life we possibly can.
That’s what they risked their lives to give us.
To all the soldiers and vets both home and abroad: Thank you.
To the rest of you:
Listen. Talk. Stay Open. Heal.
These are the privileges that soldiers have risked their lives to give us.
