Category: Mindfulness

Smells that trigger memories

11/11/2014

Smell can trigger memories. http://www.healingforgrievinghearts.com/relieve-grief.html

Last year at this time I was still in the middle of grieving my mother’s death and felt that the darker days of November brought even more sadness.

Sadness because I missed her and remembered all her busy preparations for the holidays.

Next to my brother and I, my mother was looking after ten other children from the neighbourhood. Every year she encouraged all of us to create handcrafted presents for relatives and friends. In November our apartment turned into a craft shop. Brushes, wooden spoons, acrylic paint, wool, and glue made their way onto every free table.

One year the whole apartment building smelt of beeswax for weeks because we all were making our own beeswax candles. It took hours and lots of patience but ever since I love the smell of beeswax.

Which smells do you like that bring you comfort?

I encourage you to find the smells that bring you comfort.
Perhaps it is an herb, an incense, a cream, a perfume or....

If you can’t find it in your household go out and buy it. You don’t need a big quantity of it.

Treat yourself to the comforting smells of your life and bring a smile to your present day. Which smells give you comfort?
Share your stories and smells at www.facebook.com/healingforgrievinghearts

Take good care,
Jacqueline

Rituals help Heal

26/10/2014

The end of October and the start of November bring Halloween, All Saints, All Soul’s Day, Samhain, Day of the Dead. This darker time is celebrated in many cultures in their own unique way but all of them remind us of our loved ones that have died.

A few years back I was introduced to the tradition of the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ and was first shocked to see all those skeletons and the sugar skulls but fascinated by the artistry of the paper cuttings and the love that goes into those crafted altars to celebrate family members and friends that have died.

It inspired me to make my own little altar every year for the people I am missing in my life. I put pictures of them on my altar and little nicknack that remind me of their special personalities. Like a plush whale that my mother bought when we went whale watching, a CD with songs by my nephew, a pair of old glasses that belonged to my grandfather, stones, shells and glass beads that remind me of special times together. There are always flowers and candles.

This week, I will create my altar on Halloween and leave it up for a few days. The candles will be lit from October 31 through November 2. I find that cleaning the altar is as important as setting it up. I take special care to put all the little pieces back in their usual place.

Every time I create the altar I feel the warmth and love of my loved ones around me and comforted by the notion of celebrating their lives.

Rituals are important. They help us heal and stay in the present moment. They give our feelings a voice and by creating it we give our soul permission to deeply connect with what we have lost.

Healing is not about forgetting. Healing is acknowledging what we had and taking stock of dreams, hopes and wishes we have lost. Through creating we heal and are able to find new purpose.

What are your rituals that help you heal?
Share your rituals here or at www.facebook.com/healingforgrievinghearts

Take good care,
Jacqueline

How to plan for the Holidays

10/10/2014

In Canada, we are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend.

This holiday still reminds me of my nephew and the first time that he was missing at the Thanksgiving table. None of us was sure how to get through the celebration without him until his mother started to tell childhood stories. How he always was a little magnet for trouble although it often wasn't his fault in the first place.

We all added our memories of a young man that had died too early. Stories about him being out in the wilderness counting migration birds, planting trees and bringing back the most stunning photographs and smells. Oh yes the smells! after having lived out in the woods without a shower for a month.

You can imagine that the uneasiness subsided and we shared tears and laughter that day.

Have you already thought about the upcoming Holidays?

Anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays can turn into stressful times. Give yourself the permission to celebrate them in your own way.

Nothing is set in stone. Get in touch with your family or friends and let them know how you want to spend those upcoming holidays. Don't leave it up to chance.

Remember that you can change anything at the last minute. Be gentle with yourself and listen to your heart and inner wisdom.

Take good care,
Jacqueline

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Smells that trigger memories

Rituals help Heal

How to plan for the Holidays

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