Dealing with Grief

Upon request from a friend on Facebook and a blogger from Russia, I've been asked to write a post on the coping of grief. We all deal with grief at some point in our lives. Some may be mild, some may be crushing, and some may make you feel like you've hit rock bottom. Considering there are so many different circumstances in which grief can occur, and where it may come from, there are different ways one can cope with it. However, there are general similarities with ways one can cope with grief.
Throughout my life, I have befriended many cancer patients of varying age. Some are family friends and some you just happen to meet when making a hospital trip. You realize that they themselves don't always grieve over the situation they are in, but seek for the joy's they have in life. Yet, how did they get past the initial point of grief and emotional depression? I often ask them this question myself, and their answers are all relatively similar. In fact, even a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in the States has stated something similar to their words.

1. The biggest thing they said is to acknowledge that the pain is there. Be mindful that you are grieving, be aware that you are going through emotional suffering. This helps with the process of dealing with acceptance over the matter. They often tell me once you acknowledge the situation that brings you grief, you no longer run from it, allowing you to move on.
2. Find Support. People seek for friendships, relationships and the comforts from their loved ones all the time. Having people to support you not only lets others become aware you are in grief, but allows you to be proactive about your thoughts. You can express your feelings through conversation instead of keeping it bundled inside. This helps to ease up the tension that the grief may be causing you before a mass breakdown.
3. Allow yourself time. You don't always have to be immediately back in the swing of things, and don't purposely hide your grief. Sometimes it's better to let an emotion go and deal with itself, before coming back to your typical routine of life. Time won't always heal everything, but it is an important factor to moving on.
4. Set a Goal. What are you looking most forward to in the future? Make it your goal, set something to work towards, and that will help push you out of grief and cause you to continue to work hard.Provide for yourself a direction to move towards, instead of idling in the present pain.

These are the general points that I have collected from cancer patients that I know and have spoke with. They are all dealing with their grief very well, which I am extremely thankful for. Grief appears in everyone's life at some point. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to someone, it helps.
So, I've got a list of songs for you guys this time!! Cause music heals ;)

Lost of a family member? A sibling, or someone younger than you?
It's Okay to Cry 
Dealing with Loss?
Not a Day Goes By ~Lonestar
Like to listen to Classical Music?
Vocalise Rachmaninov
Thais Meditation Massenet
Like Upbeat songs for grieving?
Try It's Okay to Cry ~Amanda Wilkinson
We Cry ~ The Script

Music is for Healing! <3
Till later
JLogging it ~ Jo Lee