Brenda K. Mitchell extends an invitation to those who find themselves struggling to navigate their grief.
When we are lost in the overwhelming sea of grief, it can be hard to picture a reality outside of our profound sadness and loss.Tasks like resuming our daily routines, enjoying ourselves, or recalling our loved ones without tears can feel completely unattainable.
In this meditative practice, Brenda Mitchell presents a small but significant invitation: to entertain the concept of “the possibility of possible.” There are no requirements for having solutions, abundant hope, or a defined path ahead. Instead, this is a gentle approach to experiencing the challenging emotions tied to our losses, while slightly allowing in the potential of what may come.
Exploring the Possibility of Possible in Profound Grief
- Let’s start by closing our eyes and taking some deep breaths. Inhale deeply for one, two, three. Then exhale slowly for one, two, and three.
- If you prefer, place one hand over the other on your heart. Release any tension or worries you may have brought with you—whether they stem from the present moment, the environment, or your body. Aim to relax and loosen up. Take a deep breath once more.
- Next, perform a quick body scan and allow more movement within yourself. Get cozy—like you’re settling into a comfy couch for Netflix. Feel the release in your neck as you open up to receive the nurturing energy of nature and the innate wonder of your body.
- Let that comfort spread down through your shoulders and hands. Give your hands a gentle shake to affirm your control and presence within your body. Allow that comfort to flow through your core, hips, thighs, and legs. Ground your feet firmly on the earth beneath you.
- If you find yourself in deep grief right now, I encourage you to make space for those feelings. You may realize that in our vulnerable and broken moments, we can lose sight of the belief that anything good could ever happen again. It can create a barrier of hopelessness, completely obscuring our view of a way forward.
- In this moment, I ask you to welcome the possibility of possible. That’s all. You don’t need to have clear answers, or abundant hope, or a visible path ahead. It’s simply about opening the door to the idea of possibility.
- Try to visualize yourself embracing possibility. What does that envisioning look like for you? Are you inside or outside? Is anyone with you? Can you sense the colors and the dreams that can fade into the background in times of grief? Perhaps you feel the warmth and beauty of the sky. What does it mean for you to acknowledge the pain of the past while moving towards the realm of possibility?
- When you’re ready, gently open your eyes and return to my voice. I’d like to share a poem that has helped me envision a future self open to what is, while embracing the possibility of what could be. Written by Gilda Radner, it says, I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. It’s called Delicious Ambiguity. Thank you for joining me in this practice.