This week has been very difficult. So many sad news lately has made me feel so sad and vurnerable. This time, tragedy has hit my new home Orlando with a chain of devastating events that can take us to a very dark place.
The horrific event of Orlando Pulse Club, is so unbelievable hard, that I could not even believe it. The text message from a son to his mother…Mummy, I Love You, minutes before he died…is going to stay forever with me. I felt it like I was his mother…those where my children in that club in any circumstance.
And now, its time to start the healing process. Events like this can take a big hit in our emotions. To the point of paralyze us. If you are feeling down or depressed theres a lot of places offering free counseling in Orlando. Also, you can start by expressing this feelings and start the healing. This is a loss, a personal one, even if we didn’t know the victims.
Dealing with loss:
1. Allow yourself to be in the feelings.
People are fearful that they will become overwhelmed with emotions if they allow themselves to feel deeply. The truth is the more you ignore, avoid, or try to push through these feelings the more they will drain you and overwhelm you. Embrace what it is you are feeling and what it is that you need so you may gracefully move through the experience.
2. Give yourself time.
There are stages of grief and loss and they do not unfold overnight. Please be gentle and kind with yourself and not to try to push though the process quickly. When you honor your needs and give yourself time to heal you will move forward with an open heart, knowing what is unfolding is in perfect time.
3. Allow yourself to detach from trying to control circumstances and outcomes.
There are many things beyond your control when experiencing a loss and surrendering to what you cannot control allows a centering back to yourself and what it is you truly need. Being still and focusing on the "here and now" allows you an opportunity to let go of what you can't control and soften to what you can.
4. Support and love is the way through loss.
There is an opportunity to open your heart and be vulnerable with those in your life during this process. When you are honest and allow others to be there with you on your healing journey you create deeper relationships. This has been the greatest gift in my experience and I am grateful for all those who have lovingly offered support and understanding in this time of loss.
5. Find comfort in creating.
During some of the most difficult times in my life I have looked to art as a balm for my soul. Art allows a soft resting place for grief. I've used the art to honor those losses and those I have loved, as well as a gift for myself to help heal and nourish my soul.
by: Laura Dessauer, EdD, ATR-BC, LCAT Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3321154
I wrote two pages of free writing in my Journal. I don't even care about grammar...Just start writing, words will come out without forcing them.
And talking about Finding Comfort in Creating..here is a link to art therapy activities that can help you channel all those emotions, from writing or Art Journaling, like I did..to Collage and Sculptures. http://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.html
I did this Art Journal page with images from a magazine I found here in Panamá. I'm working in Panama until July. When I saw the image of the handsome black men, I knew he had to be the figure of "El Nazareno"...This is a song from Ismael Rivera, he wrote it in name of the Black Christ from Portobello in Colón, Panama..in the song he says Christ told him, "Theres a lot of good friends with you...and a lot of bad friends too"...but at the end he bless Ismael and tells him, "Everything good forever be with you"....
The second image is a men with his arms open...one of the many angels that died that night..in the heart, one of the last words that one of the victims texted his mother..."Mommy I Love You"...In his jacket, I wrote "I just wanted to dance".
I gathered a list of places in Orlando, offering emotional help and counseling in this difficulties times.:
- If you want help in spanish, Hispanic Family Counseling is offering FREE Crisis Intervention at their location. 6900 S. Orange Blossom Trail. (407)382-9079
- UnitedHealthcare and Optum, the health benefits and services companies of UnitedHealth Group, are taking immediate action to support people affected by the recent tragedy. Optum's toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary.
- The Center, serving the LGBTQ community, is open and offering grief counseling in English and Spanish. It is located at 945 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. You also can call its hotline at 407-228-1446 or text your zip code to 898-211 to connect.
- Heart of Florida United Way has a 24-7 crisis line at 2-1-1
- Victim Service Center of Central Florida has a hotline at 407-497-6701
- UCF students can receive free counseling on campus at Counseling and Psychological Services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the office at 407-823-2811.
- Go to your church, talk to your pastor or counselour, talk to a friend or a family member…but please…talk about your feelings, it will make a difrence.
And last but not least….remember…Love is Love is Love is Love…let's love, let's take action, let's educate, let's remember and heal.