-----Original Message----- From: mrsvilla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent On: 08/11/2011 12:10 Sent To: muckyduck2@xxxxxxxxx :Fwd: Grieving person's bill of rights. Grieving persons bill of rights 1) You have the right to experience your own unique grief. No one else will grieve in exactly the same way you do. When you turn to others for help, don't allow them to tell you what you should or should not be feeling. 2) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR GRIEF. Talking about your grief will help you heal. seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, as often as you want, about your grief. 3) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL A MULTITUDE OF EMOTIONS. Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of your grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeling angry, for example, is wrong. Don't take these judgemental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners who will accept your feelings without condition. 4) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TOLERANT OF YOUR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL LIMITS. Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don't allow others to push you into doing things yu don't feel ready to do. 5) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPERIENCE GRIEF "ATTACKS" . Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening, but it is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it out. 6)YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE USE OF RITUAL. The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More important, the funeral is a way for you to mourn. If others tell you that rituals such a these are silly or unnecessary, don't listen. 7) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EMBRACE YOUR SPIRITUALITY. If faith is a part of your life, express it in ways appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry with God, find someone to talk with who won't be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment. 8) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEARCH FOR MEANING. You may find yourself asking, "Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now? Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the cliched responses some people may give you. Comments like, " It was God's will" or "Think of what you have to be thankful for," are not helpful and you do not have to accept them. 9) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TREASURE YOUR MEMORIES. Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them. 10) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE TOWARD YOUR GRIEF AND HEAL. Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember that grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intolerant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved changes your life forever.. 1) You have the right to experience your own unique grief. 2) You have the right to talk about your grief. 3) You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions. 4) You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits. 5) You have the right to experience grief "attacks." 6) You have the right to make use of ritual. 7) You have the right to embrace your spirituality. 8) You have the right to search for meaning. 9) You have the right to treasure your memories. 10) You have the right to move toward your grief and heal. ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by