Santa Rosa Grief and Loss, Trauma Counseling, by Frieda L. Ferrick, MFT

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. Happy Monday, hoping the day and week will be filled with joy and kindness.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. GRIEF Grief runs us ragged... cracks our hearts open leaves us, on the floor of the despair, wondering, will we ever feel normal Asking questions, like why and when, how could this be why me? Grief will come to all of us at some time, in our life We will swim with the waves get knocked down but over time we will stand up to rise again Because that is what life does to us we will start all over again G

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. It is as important to receive graciously as it is to give with your heart.... Receiving is being thankful when you are given something To be in balance it is important not to give and never receive or receive and never give! Happy Sunday.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. How to we live with grief? Sometimes we can be silent and sit with it, cry if we need to... Sometimes we may want to be busy and sometimes talking to a trusted friend, or family member might be soothing and sometimes it isn't helpful Grief is a journey we will all have to take at times in our lives, it is part of our human experience. So breathe, and know you are not alone.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. Something beautiful from an amazing human being.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane, Spring helps the earth heal from the winter storms... And so it is hard to be sad on this day, Memorial Day which is really a day of remembrance of all the men and women who have died in service Take care today, especially if you have a family member who was in the military and saw active combat.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. It can be puzzling to figure out when to persist and when to give up and move on.... Sometimes we are at a job or relationship too long because we are trying not to give up or move on too quickly. Sometimes, we give up too soon on a job or a relationship. If we don't feel well, or there are subtle clues telling us get out, then it is important to listen. If we just are frustrated, take a time out to figure out what is going on before leaving. Sometimes, we know the answer inside of us, but we don't take the time to listen.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. This is important. If someone wants you to change who you are, to fit in with them. Run

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. As we travel through life, just know just as we hope for joy and good times,... we will also bump into grief and loss. It is part of the human experience. It is how you handle the loss, that makes all the difference.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane, BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE!

Wisdom From the Slow Lane, So simple, so profound.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane We human beings we are fragile and strong,... serious and funny We will have long roads ahead filled with puddles, holes and yet the sun will come out We will all suffer loss We are in this life together As Fred Rogers mother told him, look for the helpers There are many to be found as we walk the path of life We can have company along the way

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Good news that we can make new brain cells. This is important information as we are all aging!! https://www.washingtonpost.com//5ae79ea4-60be-11eb-9430-e7

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Different Kinds of Scars Scars crisscross... over our hearts moving downward landing on unsuspecting organs causing pain and upset Sometimes, the origin, of this pain, is forgotten by the mind, but the body never forgets whether the pain was inflicted on purpose or by neglect So, be kind to yourself, you have traveled many miles and have so much further to go

Wisdom From the Slow Lane A thought and some hope for you today!

Wisdom From the Slow Lane HAPPINESS Happiness does not just appear... ready for you to feel continuous joy it does not appear like a butterfly on a blossom No, it is more elusive so running after it does not always help Acceptance of self is key, when there is contentment that lodges in the heart moments of joy will dance in your body and take up a new room in your heart Happiness comes from loving ourselves and others, as we grow, stretch and change Happiness may come and go, but love and connections stay in your heart.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Sometimes in order for justice to come, we have to go through some tough times.... Do not despair and lose heart, we will become a stronger people and nation

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Tears and Memories There is no lesson,... that is such a mixture of sadness, longing and memory as grief is When someone you love dies it is hard to breathe, and move through life And yet, we do, knowing this to be true as a witness to family and friends Here is to life and love, tears and joy, silliness and strength Tears and memories are what we are left with

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Take a break from your computer, your phones and TV and go outside!

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and know that we are all doing the best we can during this pandemic! Take care.Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and know that we are all doing the best we can during this pandemic! Take care.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Jessica Stillman wrote an article. I am going to summarize for you what she wrote. She gives us 3 sentences for us to write about to help us in our lives. They are:... 1. I will focus on: I would like to change it to say Today, I will focus on 2. I am grateful for: I would change it to Today I am grateful for: 3. I will let go of and I would change it to What can I let go of today! Anyway, I hope this is helpful.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane I will be sharing writings about grief and loss because the holidays can make us feel more vulnerable! The Roller Coaster Ride of Grief... Riding the unexpected waves of grief, that feeling hits you in the heart, and gut never knowing when you will be slammed hard to the ground your tears falling on stained pillows And you wonder, will I ever feel normal again? and what is that anyway? riding the roller coaster of grief Time is relentless yet you ache waiting for it to keep moving you away from this time, when you were left behind

Wisdom From the Slow Lane We people seem to be attached to the idea of a New Year.... All I will say is, think about this year, what would you want to continue doing and what would you like to leave behind? I would say to you, take small steps and realistic goals for 2021. And know you are a gift to life just as you are!

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Joy in the Morning Joy tiptoes... into the room as the early morning light penetrates the curtain Joy, please know that you are always welcome please come in, be bold, and make your steps be known Joy, you will always be greeted with open arms

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Being authentic is key to a healthy heart

Wisdom From the Slow Lane

Yes to Life Do not I tell you, do not put... your life on hold If you do you will live with regrets Pay attention, be mindful hug and laugh often, your health will improve and your mood lighten Life will send you curve balls put on your catcher's mitt and send them back Use your creativity it is part of your healing, it brings light into our lives Keep connected to healthy people Become the person, you know you are meant to be, and thrive!

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Slow down today and take a moment, how is your heart today?... Are you in touch with your feelings? Are you ignoring what your heart wants you to know? Sometimes, we have to take time to pay attention, our emotional health is as important as our physical health, they are not separate. Take time for a walk, a talk, something that gives your heart nourishment

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Grief and Loss The moment we leave... our mother's womb the journey of life begins its lessons We learn, we give, we take, we love, and, then there is loss We learn to walk and talk and at the end of our life if we are lucky, to be old we may need help walking and talking Yes, the moment we start to breathe air on our own life teaches us to let go.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Loss Loss sometimes tiptoes in... quietly, just whispers of something that has gone wrong Sometimes, it is a raging beast bringing us such pain it can be hard to breathe, laugh, talk Sometimes our loss is repairable sometimes it is not It can be a loss of a job, a home, it can be our health, a friendship, a romantic relationship and sometimes it can even be the loss of a family member. Loss is not always about death of someone, but sometimes it feels like it is even though the person we love is alive Be kind to yourself and to others because as we travel on the road of life all of us will have losses in our lives.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Tears and Memories There is no lesson... that is such a mixture of sadness, longing, and memory as grief When someone you love dies, it is hard to breathe, and move through life And yet, we do, I know this to be true as a witness to my family, friends and clients Here is to life and love, tears and joy, silliness and strength Tears and memories are what we are left with

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Life Just Is We start off... our lives as newborns we learn how to breathe and at the end of our lifetime we let go And so in between is the question, have we loved, cared, shown up in our own lives/ And at the end of the day do we accept ourselves and others? It helps to let go of unrealistic expectations

Wisdom From the Slow Lane We need more kindness we need more laughter we need a few good people... in our lives. See more

Wisdom From the Slow Lane You don't get to be a opera star without doing basic work... You don't get to be a doctor, nurse, teacher, counselor, construction, postal worker, welder, secretary without learning basic facts about your job. Well, the same thing applies to being a human being that grows and stretches and becomes authentic. You gotta do the work!

Wisdom From the Slow Lane To All Survivors of Trauma You might be little... you might be big you survived and retained your humanity your wisdom and courage Don't you let anyone strip you of your medals you have earned them now please, go out and live your life Enjoy the gentle rains, the changing of the seasons enjoy jokes and laughter music and art books and conversations Enjoy each day and know that you are here for a reason and that you are unique and a gift to us all

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Sometimes we can't do much because we feel overwhelmed. It is ok we don't have to be super achievers all the time.... For all those that are dealing with the fires, take care, this is a hard time for Sonoma and Napa counties.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Being Authentic Sometimes it is safe to be yourself,... show your tender heart and sometimes it is not safe. I hope you can take care of yourself. Share with the people who know you and are respectful and kind. Inside of you, there lives the real you, nurture that part of you that carries the truth of who you are. Being authentic is important for your well being, being true to yourself, your values, your ethics.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane. Rivers of Grief There is a river... I know it well it is the river of grief and it flows downhill until it reaches the sea I know a river where once it rippled, danced, moved debris to its destination What can I tell you? time is the only salve that will allow the ache to diminish Life will bring you back but when that is unknown One day you laugh at a cartoon sneeze at the dust under the bed and cry at a movie You will wonder, where did the time go? why am I still here? and yet, you are For you have miles to go before you finish this mysterious journey that is your life

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died on Friday, September 18th. Here is a PBS special on Justice Ginsberg swearing in a group of new citizens. It is very inspiring.... https://www.nbcnews.com//justice-ginsburg-swears-inspires- See more

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Listen to your favorite music and feel your heart relating to the sounds... and how good that can make you feel Happy Tuesday.

Wisdom From the Slow Lane Hoping that everyone in the fires will get the help and care they need. Thank you first responders!Wisdom From the Slow Lane Hoping that everyone in the fires will get the help and care they need. Thank you first responders!