Creating Recovery

The wild fire of the forest will never burn out

the grass of the fields.

When the wind blows in spring, the shoots

will rise again.

~Poem from

The Simple Art of Chinese Calligraphy by Qu Lei Lei

The dream of tomorrow may be built on the ruins of yesterday.

Beginnings often mean the end of life as we knew it. Our relationships with familiar people, places and things are shifting. We hardly recognize ourselves. And although we may appear calm on the surface, deep down we are terrified and, perhaps, heartbroken. Of course we are. The fires of change have swept through our lives and we are scorched, raw, consumed.

Have you given yourself permission to grieve?

Allow yourself to mourn your losses, to feel the burn of anger, denial, confusion and fear. Prepare to let go of what was. Whether you’re aware of it or not, necessary changes are taking place, for new beginnings mean the end of life as you knew it…but not the end of life.

As you survey the charred landscape of your world, seek out signs of growth. Hold onto them. Nurture them. You may not know how, or even believe it is possible, but you can—from the ashes—build new dreams. You can build a new life.

I now allow myself to grieve, to heal, and to imagine myself at home in my new life.