A few days ago, I read a chapter from Morgan Harper Nichols’ latest book Peace Is a Practice. I bought the book thinking it would be filled with her soulful words and art, but though the art is minimal in this book, her words still strike a chord. While absolutely out of my mind and having difficulty starting the day, I read through “Healing.” In the chapter, she shares her struggle with the word “heal” and [among other things] encourages readers to walk slowly and not rush through their healing.
I am worthy
of the time it takes
to do the things
that heal my heart. –Morgan Harper Nichols
When I encountered Nichols’ words, I had been thinking about how we are expected to rush through our grief. Although we might recognize our need to take time to process and study the contours of our grief, the demands of life don’t always allow time for it. Sometimes people acknowledge and express sympathy over the hard loss, but they don’t make room for the heavy weight of our grief. They expect us to be okay immediately because it benefits them for us to be so.
If you are grieving in any way, think about what benefits you. Not in a selfish way, but in a healing way. Draw boundaries and make room for your grief. Do all the things that help you heal and take all the time you need to heal.
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Such comfort in your words
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Spirit work… Hugs…
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YOU are so right. SHE is so right. Grieving takes time. And it takes a different amount of time for each different person. Thank you for this great reminder. Blessings to you as you grieve.
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Yes, yes, and thank you!
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Thank you for sharing. I’ve used COVID as a barrier to help with taking my time. I’ll put her book on my TBR list.
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With the “nation opening up” it’s hard to use COVID as a barrier, especially here in some parts of the South. Masks are off and folk are gathering. Sigh… You’lll enjoy MHN!
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Yes, yes, and yes. I am so grateful I met you, found your blog, and that you share such meaningful posts with us. If not your heartfelt words, the wise, educational, or inspirational words of others. Thank you for this. Hugging you in my heart. xoxo
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😭😭😭 (good, grateful tears) and 🤗🤗🤗
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Any kind of healing takes time. Even when you think you have healed, something brings it up again years later. Memories are stored in our bodies, not just our thoughts. Sometimes a touch can bring up a flood of tears. Maybe I can even say, it takes a lifetime to heal from trauma — cancer, death of a close loved one, long-term Covid …
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You just spoke a whole lot of truth.
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