Stages of Grieving
Written by Patricia Zimmerman
Healing After the Loss of a Loved One
When a loved one passes, it is important to remember: it was their soul’s choice. Births and deaths are always the choice of the soul—no one else, not even God, can override free will. Free will is the greatest gift we have.
Grieving is a process, and there are stages we must go through to heal:
Disbelief, Shock, Numbness – Feeling detached or unable to comprehend the loss.
Denial – Refusing to accept the reality of what has happened.
Anger and Blame – Lashing out at those around us, sometimes even blaming God.
Guilt and Depression – Torturing ourselves with “What if …” and “If only …”
Jealousy, Anxiety, “Poor Me” – Feeling life is unfair or resenting others.
Acceptance – Realizing the event cannot be changed. Accepting the loss while holding love for the one who has passed.
Forgiveness, Release, Compassion, and Healing – The final stage, where the soul evolves and grows.
The final stage of grieving reflects soul maturity. Here, we understand that every experience happens for our greater good. There is no punishment, only lessons and opportunities for growth.
Steps to True Healing
Compassion: You heal when you understand and have compassion for what caused the loss or change. Compassion expands your capacity to love.
Forgiveness: You heal when you can forgive others who caused pain, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Forgiveness of others is a crucial step in opening your heart.
Self-Forgiveness: The most difficult step is forgiving yourself for any role you may have played in the situation. Self-forgiveness is essential to fully expand love.
To fully heal, we must release our loved ones so their souls can continue their evolution. True healing is felt when:
Your heart feels light and filled with love for those who have left.
You are grateful for the lessons learned and the gifts received from the experience.
Healing transforms grief into love, gratitude, and soul growth.