When your “Why” is big enough, the “How” shows up. What is your “Why?”
Phil Cohen returns this week with a chat about how grief impacts the mind, body and spirit and what we can do to help support healing in each. We explored how grief is more than just an emotional experience. It rewires the brain, changes how the body functions, and shakes our spiritual foundation.
Phil works to bring hope and clarity to something that often feels overwhelming and isolating. Remember that grief does not need to break us and that there are ways to carry grief that make life meaningful again.
In this Episode:
- 03:10 – Road Trip to Idaho: Kootenay Legends, Frog Eye Salad
- 05:23 – How Grief Impacts the mind, body and spirit, with Phil Cohen
- 09:04 – Why Don’t I Feel Like Myself After a Loss? Learn What Changes Happen with Grief
- 13:40 – Actions you Can Take to Adapt to the Pain of Grief
- 19:31 – Guilt with Grief – Do we Need a Sense of Control?
- 25:47 – Why Sitting Alone is Harmful
- 29:26 – The Triad to Break the Grief Physiological Impact: Movement, Focus, and Words We Say
- 44:38 – A Tribute to Andrea Gibson, by D.L. White
- 49:41 – Outro
Rebuilding from Grief
Phil’s son Perry died only 10 years ago, but the grief can be just as present today. Grief rewires the brain, changes our body functions, and shakes us spiritually, but we can make life meaningful again. When your “Why is big enough, the “How” shows up. Learn what you can do physically, mentally and emotionally to transform your grief.
A Tribute to Andrea Gibson, by D.L. White
The reading by Charlie was by D.L. White, and expressed his grief after finding out Andrea Gibson had died after a 4-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Andrea left behind beautiful, impactful poetry; many of their words were quoted in the tribute. See one of their poems, read by Andrea below.
References:
Resources:
You an find more about our guest Phil Cohen and the wonderful work he is doing at the following:
- Website: https://www.philcohen.com
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philthegriefguy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philthegriefguy/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriefGuy
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thegriefguy
- Fact Sheet For Survivors Of Loss
- Are You Going Through A Midlife Crisis? Here Are The Signs & Stages
- Andrea Gibson: https://andreagibson.org/
Road Trip to Idaho: Frog Eye Salad and Creepy Stories
We learned about the Legend of Spirit Lake: According to Kootenay legend, the chieftain of the Kootenai Tribe had a lovely daughter who loved a Kootenay Brave. A hostile chieftain to the east threatened war on the Kootenays if he was not allowed to wed the daughter. To avert war, her father consented to the marriage.
The Indian Maid and her Brave were dismayed and vowed their eternal love. Binding themselves together with the ‘marriage chain of rushes’ they leaped into the lake from Suicide Cliff. As the lovers were never found, folklore tells us that on a moonlit night, when the wind is still, you may see their shadowy silhouettes as they drift across the lake in a phantom canoe.
While you’re ghost watching, you might get an appetite, so try out a local favorite sweet side dish, alternately called Acini de Pepe Fruit Salad. (It’s the tiny noodles that give the dish its substance and creepy name.) Head over to Tastes Better from Scratch to learn how to make it.
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Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
