As I write this, my chest feels heavy. I've always embodied my feelings, do you do that, too? Feel everything not just at a heart level, but experience it all in full body, mind, and soul? This has been a year like no other. I feel confident in saying we have all experienced grief or loss in some way this last year. There are different forms of grieving. And while grief can have similar patterns, it is also a very individualized journey. Grief is the feeling that shows up when we lose something or someone important to us. Grief is the response to loss. Just look at all the we've lost this last year! Some of you have lost more than others, but we've all felt it at some level. Places that we love to frequent with our friends-shut down. Jobs lost. Economic stress that fuels relational strain; our kids struggling with depression and loneliness, they are grieving, too. And then, there's the grief due to mourning a loved one, and there's a good chance that Covid was involved. This is all bereavement, and it is not easy. I lost my Dad to Covid-19 in January. Sometimes there are no words to describe what losing someone from this earth can feel like. In my case, it was sudden, and unexpected. I know so many of you also lost someone to this awful virus. If you've lost someone this year, or really at anytime and they meant something to you, I invite you to just simply write their name in the comments below. There is power in verbally honoring those we loved.

Beloved, take all the time you need to heal, to grieve.

There is no time limit in processing loss, and many times it is layered, and deeply complex. If the relationship, thing, or person you lost held a complex relationship with you, give yourself extra grace, all the extra that you need... a lot of love to yourself.

And lastly, allow yourself to feel.

Oh, how we get so afraid of our feelings, but trust me, they will lead you to a lighter, more peaceful heart if you remain authentic.

As my wonderful associate Serena recently said, "Allowing myself to feel has been grounding for me." Beloved, it will ground you, too. Don't avoid your heart, come near what is real. We're going to survive this together!