We don't just grieve over people. If feelings of grief seem to linger, seek professional advice.

When I think of grief, I think of deep sorrow or loss. Grief is different for different individuals, and its intensity differs from individual to individual. What seems minor to one individual could be emotionally devastating to another. The common denominator in identifying grief is an overwhelming sense of loss. When it comes to coping with grief, there is no one size that fits all, but it is important to ask questions and address emotions if we feel sad after losing something or someone. 

We don't just mourn or grieve for people; we mourn the loss of pets or intangibles: losing a way of life, losing money, losing innocence, to name a few. Because grief begets sadness and creates the need to express feelings, grief is one way that we cope with loss. Studies indicate, our brains are programmed to focus on negativity, so some negative feelings are expected after a loss. However, excessive grief is not normal, and if self-expression through writing or talking to friends and family does not work, it might be important to seek professional counseling.

Mourning is a topic rarely addressed but it underlies so many actions and forms of behavior. Grieving is unlike other feelings; it reflects indescribable emotional injury that affects our thoughts and feelings until it is reckoned with. To come to terms with loss, we grieve or mourn. In mourning, we identify the source of loss and express our sad feelings. Feelings of loss are not negotiable, and unless these feelings are expressed and acknowledged, our individual occasions of grief can affect us for years, even leading to drug and alcohol abuse, domestic abuse or  emotional disorders like depression

Because emotions must be expressed, it's a good idea to find ways to get feelings out in the open where they can be accepted, analyzed and dealt with. No matter what caused the occasion to grieve, feelings are real, and the more negative the feelings, the longer they remain in our emotional system and affect our emotional well-being. 

Studies reveal, we are much more attracted to negative thoughts, and negative experiences remain with us for longer periods of time. So a good defense against unreconciled  feelings of loss is self-expression which allows us to uncover hidden sources of grief. There is a normal grieving period which differs for each of us, but if feelings of grief seem to linger, it's important to seek professional advice. - Emme H. Johnson

Note: This blog will be updated again after 4/19/2014 due to mandatory updates to Windows XP operating system. - Emme H. Johnson