This Thing Called Grief By Thomas M. Ellis
New Understandings of Loss
Grief is a crazy-making, complicated process. It is part of life's critical transitions, its times of loss. Losses include not only endings -- dying and death -- but also beginnings, which start with grief and mourning.
Grief has been described as a roller-coaster of emotions. You might experience it as an engulfing wave, an ever-changing sea of experience, a place with nothing to protect you. Writer C. S. Lewis experienced grief as fear itself. Whatever you feel today, you learn that it will probably be different tomorrow.
Grief is not about clear, predictable stages or steps. Rather, it is a natural process of dynamic changes that will ebb and flow as they may. You experience grief across every dimension of your being -- body, mind, and spirit. As author John Schneider says, "Grieg is a natural process of discovering what was lost, what is left, and what is possible." (Read The Book)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Thomas M. Ellis, defines "shadow" as grief, discussing how isolating and overwhelming it can be. He uses narratives of loss from his therapy practice and details how grief and pain can ultimately transform one's life in a healing way, even though the present might seem hopeless and terrifying. In a little more than a 100 pages, the author empathizes with the sufferer, dwells in the muck awhile, then takes the sufferer to a place where he or she can live and breathe again. His short, excellent, and readable book-perfect for someone experiencing grief and sadness is recommended for all libraries. Library Journal - Erin Miller - July 6, 2006 |
