Birth, Death and Marriage

It always puzzled me why these 3 occasions are under one umbrella, when it comes to registration and certificates. Before I experienced loss in its full intensity, I remember when registering our boys births, that I had this thought "How confronting - I don't want to be thinking about death, when my baby was just born..."

After having walked with thousands on their path through Grief to Healing, I understand more than ever, how Death simply is part of Life. It's the only certainty we all have in common... that one day we will all die.

I have also learned that people feel rather uncomfortable thinking about death; about the uncertainty of when and how it will happen. Most find it confronting - and quite frankly, even as a Speaker and Wizard of Words, I still keep refining my "Elevator Pitch" when people nonchalantly ask me "So, what do you do?" - Not because I find it confronting, but because I can read in their eyes how their mood instantly drops from party mode into deepest empathy - or worse: sympathy.

Looking at the Subject line of today's LinkedIn Love Letter: Birth, Death and Marriage, I understand more than ever, how all 3 of these occasions are a reason to CELEBRATE LIFE.

It doesn't need explaining for Birth or Marriage. But I believe it might require some clarification for the occasion of death - in particular when we are talking about a person whom we loved!

I have come to the understanding that people need a lot more help with focusing on Love, healing and happiness when their person died, than they need with the grieving process per se. Most people don't struggle with sadness and tears, as the natural first response to a death is rather overwhelming. We need time to let it all sink in. We need time to process.

How do you deal with the topic of death? I believe some cultures handle it better than others. One of my favourites has to be the Mexicans: They honour the Day of the Dead, a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Families come together to celebrate the LIFE of their loved ones.

They offer food, drinks, flowers and personal mementos to honour and welcome the spirits of the deceased. By observing two days, Día de los Muertos allows for separate remembrance of deceased children and adults, acknowledging the different stages of life and providing a specific focus for each day.

How would it change our culture, if we were to celebrate the lives of our loved ones, rather than mourning their physical absence? How would it change you? And how do you think our loved ones would feel about us celebrating their lives?

Just a few questions to ponder upon over these two rather special days...

I'd love it if you could leave some thoughts in the comments! Thank you :)

With Love

Marie

PS: As always, I'm happy to talk about how I can support you on your journey!