The Luna's Light Philosophy on Living Life after Loss

A Sudden Introduction to Living Life after Losing a Loved One

Did you know American society only let's us grieve and mourn for about three days?  Our family had many challenges trying to figure out how to get back to "normal" in a very short amount of time after the death of our sister.  We were tackling post-traumatic stress disorder, legal proceedings, relocation to new places and many other changes after her death.  Many co-workers and friends couldn't figure out why we just couldn't  pull ourselves together.  For society to expect a recovery in just a few days is unacceptable - and unrealistic.
 
Here at Luna's Light Sympathy Gift Boutique, We Give You Permission to Consciously Grieve Your Loss 

What this means is, well, it can be different for everyone.  However, the main concept is the same.  Permit yourself to consciously feel the pain - and the love - you are feeling for your loved one right now in the present moment.  Have you ever been shopping in a store and then you hear a song that reminds you of your loved one?  Celebrate it and really feel their love for you.  Pay attention to the Universe's reminders and listen to your heart as you journey consciously on a healthy path.  And, if you don't know where to start, then be sure to get in touch with a professional counselor who specializes in holistic grief theories.
 
One thing to remember is that it is important to be patient with yourself.  Grief is complicated.  It manifests in different shapes and sizes depending on when, where and how your loved one died.  Sometimes it's hard to tackle because of the circumstances.  One of our friends shared with us the challenges of her stillborn baby's birth.  Her child was never given a birth certificate...it was like her baby's birth never happened.  Our friend told us that some of her friends didn't know what to say and that some of her family members said nothing to her after the funeral.  She is currently writing a book to share her experiences and help others in the same situation.
 
Luna's Light has developed conscious grieving tools that can help anyone who has lost a loved one.  When we design our gifts, our initial intention is to give the person using them the permission to express their grief .  This is the number one purpose of our gifts.  Through personal experience, we understand how difficult it can be to "grin and bear it" on special occasions or the anniversary of your loved one's death.
 
One of the best  ways to begin to consciously grieve is to show the world you have lost someone by wearing the Universal Grieving Symbol pin.  It is the easiest way to check-in with your feelings, and if you feel sad, you can wear the pin.  Then, anyone who comes in contact with you knows that you are more down than usual and you need extra support that day.  The pin is perfect  to wear at work or around your family or friends.  They will know exactly when you need extra support without you having to say a word.   


A New Paradigm for Grieving:  It is Your Journey

Numerous times after our sister's death, we were told that grief was just part of the "grief process." In fact, days after Shannon's death, we tried to figure out what stage we were in - so we could get through the "process" as soon as possible. However, we soon realized that it was very difficult to apply a defined process to our grief.

We began to research the "grief process" and discovered that it was developed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-born psychiatrist, and author of On Death and Dying and the Kubler-Ross model.  Dr. Ross categorized feelings associated with death and dying into a five-step process that included denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. This same theory was applied in defining feelings associated with grief after a death. Ultimately, the theory turned into a norm in American society and is now accepted as the standard way to grieve.

We developed a very different opinion about the "grief process" after learning to live our life without our sister. From our research and personal experience, we view death as a transition in a person's life. It is a personal journey where one begins to define a new identity, usually not by their own choice - especially if the death is unexpected. The journey may be simple or complex, and sometimes leads to personal or spiritual growth.

Our philosophy also says that there is no defined end to grief after a loss. Yes, there is truth to the saying "It will get easier with time." However, this fact still remains: a loved one is gone. Thus, learning to live without a loved one can be challenging and may take an entire lifetime because each individual has their own perspective of the relationship they felt they had with the person who died. In addition, every grief experience is uniquely its own and belongs to the person experiencing it and no one else. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

We also believe that after a death, there's no "getting over it." Instead, it's about rebuilding, centering, grounding, exploring, creating, crying, questioning, relaxing and anything else someone determines they need to redefine their life while embracing the journey they are experiencing. And, it is very important to take care of yourself. We strongly encourage individuals to seek professional psychological counseling to discuss the lifelong transition one may experience after a loved one's death.

Education for Grief:  A Practice in Mindfulness

Luna's Light includes our Affirmations for Healthy Grieving with every order.  We believe it is important to provide educational materials and resources for all of our customers.  When we first lost our sister, we didn't know what to do.  Our parents were grieving.  Our friends we're grieving.  Our husbands were grieving.  Yet, we were unable to find a simple way to validate our experience and journey.

We wrote the Affirmations for Healthy Grieving to help anyone who has lost a loved one approach their grief.  The Affirmations give permission to the bereaved and encourage them to objectively observe and experience the feelings and emotions.  We hope these Affirmations help anyone whose heart is hurting from the loss of their  sibling, child, spouse, best friend, family member, co-worker and even their animal companion.