Welcome to Grief/Joy Message Board
- Webmaster,   2 Jul 2004

Just received this Thich Nhat Hanh quote from a friend, and it fits the theme of grief and joy beautifully: "Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, any time."
- Amita R., New York   5 Jul 2004

Our dear friend and teacher Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan passed form this earthlly existence recently. There is joy for the freedom of his soul now, surely his light is scintillating with the universes. And we are left with his charge: to have the courage to be all that we are meant to be.
- Azimat, Florida   6 Jul 2004

So often when I'm walking around with a particular concern in my heart, a word I happen to read speaks directly to my concern -- as if by design. Today, preoccupied with the deep connection between grief and joy, i came across this passage by William James:“A solemn joy preserves a sort of bitter in its sweetness; a solemn sorrow is one to which we intimately consent.”
- K.v.R., Big Sur/ CA   6 Jul 2004

I sometimes feel sad, because I feel that I havn't made a success of life and squandered a lot of resources that has been entrusted to me. And yet I continue every day and feel that I am still being carried by His grace.
-   8 Jul 2004

In the past month, after 20 years of searching, I was able to find my birthfamily. I don't mention my birthmother because I found out that she died in a fire 6 months after she relinquished me. My "find" has been a loss; but also a "find" of other family members. To think of my birthmother in a better place eases the pain; and now I can also see that she has been a guardian angel throughout my life.
- Mariliz, New York   8 Jul 2004

I have been going through a very bad patch with a job in a foreign country which didn't work out. I am set to go home within the next month. During this time I kept a diary on the inernet which I have now deleted. I feel sad because I feel I have killed part of myself, but it was necessary. I have to die, but its hard.
-   10 Jul 2004

I have been experiencing great joy lately. My yoga practice is going very well, and today I achieved a floating sensation in my meditation. I felt I was a hawk circling in the sky. A remarkable sensation! I am so grateful for these blessings.
- Elsie, USA   11 Jul 2004

I grief for the fact that there are people in the world who would want to do horrible things to others. Lord, please forgive Albert for being horrible to me.
-   13 Jul 2004

I have come to realize that I have never finished grieving for my father who has been gone for 22 + years. I was only 19 at the time and kept a brave face and never fully gave in to the tears and anger and rage that lurked below the surface. This hardened exterior became my predominent personality trait. I felt abandoned by God and faith. Church became an empty ritual and so I dropped any dialogue with God. This created a large hole in my heart. I didn't see it for so long. Now I am healing this wound. I am so grateful.
- kjk, IL   14 Jul 2004

I have been grieving my mom's death for the past 15 months and can't stop missing her. I have spoken to her through psychic readings. I elevated this psychic onto a pedestal because she could connect me to my mom. Now I realized she is just a human being who has hurt me in so many unfair ways. She is a good psychic but she isn't a very fair and intelligent person! Carol F.
- Brooklyn, New York, USA   16 Jul 2004

I wrote the other day about the unfair psychic. An update. My mom and dad came to her in a dream and reprimanded her for not listening to her heart. My mom made her feel the pain she caused me and then hugged her. The psychic then wrote me and apologized and said she believed me (in this awful 3rd party situation). I am blown away by my mom;s love for me. It has brought me peace and tranquility. I am now friends again with this psychic who has an amazing gift but is a human being after all in my mind. Sincerely, Carol
- Brooklyn, New York USA   18 Jul 2004

Sometimes it seems the nurses are angels who comfort my brother. Sometimes it seems the health care system is set up to keep him ill and now allow his natural recovery. Such a catastrophe of illnesses, one following another. Sometimes the doctors pay attention, some of them don't pay attention at all. My poor brother - so much has been taken from him. What can I do which will be really helpful to him?
- ks, Maryland, USA   18 Jul 2004

My husband died suddenly in April. Today would have been our 12th year together. I am so sad and an having a lot trouble grieving. I am confused and angry and I am so so very sad. It feels like I cannot handle it. I try to keep it together for the children, but it is hard. Please hold me in the light.
- AB, Florida, USA   18 Jul 2004

1999 my friend Billy died from a long and painful illness. we had been friends for 6 years. When he passed my nightmare of a life began. i bore witness to the horrible treatment he recieved while he was sik and exparienced the residual after he passed. im still not at peace. my anger is at everything. my life has become so horrible that i want it to end. i dont have the strangth to fight with this world anymore. i finished making a quilt for him one year after he passed. it is the only thing that helped me through. it is not about him anymore it is about me and what the answer is for me. pray for me.
- jjl, los angeles   19 Jul 2004

I find joy in the fact that God can turn people around, even people who seem evil to us.
-   20 Jul 2004

My heart is heavy, as I see my husband and know he will never be the same person. He came home from the Gulf War,ill. I thank God everyday, because at least he is physically here. I can see him, and touch him. He doesnt see me sit all night and cry. I try to help other Vet families who have it much worst. Pray for them all
- 76, US   21 Jul 2004

Joy is the theme today in every spritual website I belong to. I feel like it's a message. My brother earned his 90 day chip in AA last night. I helped to save his life- but he allowed grace and hope into his heart and was ready to stop the madness. For that- I am grateful, joyful.
- JJ, Maryland   21 Jul 2004

Joy comes in the morning.
-   22 Jul 2004

Joy can come in the mourning.
- CfMc, Portland, Oregon, USA   24 Jul 2004