Bridging features creative works of prose and poetry on the In the Loop blog of Let's Check-in Ghosts and Haunting Enter October. Like swirling Autumn leaves that eddy, rustle and and wisk against grass, asphalt or sidewalk, a once green past has dried. I smile recalling the beauty of my resplendent shades of red, yellow or orange. But, some memories take a deeper step towards darkness, distort and cut. Chasing thoughts, whether long ago or recent. Sometimes they whip around

#Survival #StartingOver #Stress #Loss

“We are diamonds taking shape.” That’s the line in Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime” that triggered my tears. In spite of my lifelong music passions, I rarely listen to pop music these days. Being a New York-based NPR disciple without a car, it’s rare that I venture beyond my designated stations. The odd occasion was a weekend road trip from Brooklyn to Baltimore. My partner Paul and I were heading to our second Bar Mitzvah within two years. This one was for the youngest s

#Hate #Anger #Stress #StartingOver #Emotions #Detox #Loss #Coping #Anxiety

#Rebound #Survival #Courage #StartingOver #Loss #Motivation

#Courage #StartingOver #Motivation #Alone #Anxiety #Divorce #Bereavement #Stress #Loss #SelfCare #Quote #change

It is accepted wisdom to say that the Top Five Stressful Situations people face include the death of a loved one, divorce, moving, major illness, and losing one’s job. All of these situations are very real vexations on the soul and require different strategies and tactics to overcome. They also can come in bunches because that is how life goes sometimes—when it rains, it pours. When we are confronted with the most serious challenges that life can offer, the stress can become

Life is complex. It is filled with highs and lows. We are ultimately defined by how we respond to the challenges that we are confronted with during our journey. It didn’t take long for the Let’s Check-In team to identify more than thirty different life stresses that can have an impact on our physical, emotional, health, and well-being. We talked about things like heartbreak, current events, aging, raising kids vs. choosing to be childless, deaths among family and friends, o

At some point, all of us encounters loss, including death. Grief is complex and has many stages that may not flow in a chronological order. Based upon my own past and current experiences with bereavement, I wanted to speak about the wrinkles of managing death in a digital world. This past week I lost my Grandfather from the Philippines. He was not a grandfather by blood, but he is a grandfather in my heart. He has been my grandfather since I was 6 years old. He took me in

Death is a part of life. As we become adults and develop relationships with others, we learn to support friends, family, co-workers and others through a loss in their life. Do you know how to help a grieving friend? I know I want to say the right words and support them with their grief, but I don’t always know what to say or do. Here is an article from Bustle.com that guides you in How to Help a Grieving Friend. #Loss

This Sunday we will take time to recognize the fathers or father-figures in our life. In the past, this holiday was difficult for me to acknowledge. I lost my father when I was 12. Every year when Father’s Day hit, it was a reminder that I did not have him with me. I am now married and take joy in Father’s Day once again since my husband is now a father. No, he is not my father; but he is someone I celebrate every day and on Father’s Day, as well. I am thankful for all th