Facing Tragedy.

When tragedy strikes, it always effects people differently. Some people toughen up and just try to get through it, and plan on processing it later, or not at all. Some people fall to pieces and hide away by themselves crying until their eyes can no longer produce any tears.

If you are lucky, you are the person that uses the tragedy as a way to better the lives of those still living. You find the things that are currently happening in your life that you are displeased with and you make changes. You use the tragedy to reflect on your own life, and let it open your eyes to what you have been ignoring. You use the tragedy to impact change on the things you used to shield your eyes from.

As a person who used to not process anything I learned that is a very lonely existence. You put on the tough face even though your heart is still breaking inside. There is no way to shut yourself off completely and usually all the feelings that you tucked under the rug come flooding back at a later time. Being in the moment and feeling what you need to feel is the only way to truly grieve for what you have lost. You have to talk, you have to reflect, you have to remember the good times. You have to make sure that this tragedy doesn't make a tragedy out of you. Leaning on the people that love and care for you and who are going through the same thing is the only way that you are going to honor the death of the person you have lost.

You know that if they were standing next to you that they would not want you to stop living in their absence. They want you to continue to live life to the fullest in face of them no longer being around in person to witness it.

Just know that everything that you do, they are going to be right beside you, cheering you on and being someone to talk to. Spirits are a beautiful thing because even though someone is no longer their physical embodiment their spirit will always be alive within you. You keep them alive by talking about them and looking to them for advice. Never be afraid to open up to the open space, because you can be sure there is a soul listening to your every word.