A Lionheart of Conviction
Grief is not reserved for the human species alone. Lions endure a rigorous grieving process that can last for over a month. These behemoth animals known to be the brawniest creatures on Earth mourn the loss of loved ones too. When finished moaning in anguish, the lions regain composure and tend to the business at hand: cleaning their cubs, hunting food, and frolicking with playmates.
I do the same as I plummet deep into my grief and rise with a mission to heal.
I become a lionheart of conviction when faced with the challenge of transitioning from despair to courage, from grief to healing. Alone in my determination to conquer the pain that holds me back from stepping into the light, I rally the grit with help from my Higher Power and get to it. Clinging to pain with the intensity of a lioness stalking her prey, I descend into the unknown, trusting I will rise from the darkness having elevated my resiliency and my character. And I do it in fear.
Fearlessness is a myth.
If you are waiting to be struck with the magic wand of never-ending courage to heal your grief you will be waiting forever. That day is never going to come. Cemented in fright, you will succumb to perpetual procrastination and growth will remain unattainable. Fear, which manifests as anxiety and settles in your stomach is your messenger telling you what you have to do. Recognize the fear, put it in perspective, and find the guts to take action. Valiantly move forward within the fear, look your pain in the eye, and step into the grief.
When grief steps up to meet me, I meet it. I’m usually scared out of my wits but I do it, and with resolve. The comfort comes when I remember I need not know the end in order to jump in. I move through loss with baby steps and focused tenacity—some steps forward and some steps back. Nevertheless, I continue moving forward with conviction.
Trust in your resiliency and character. Take the next courageous action and leave the rest to the Infinite Power of the Universe. The pain will subside, until the next situation arrives. When it does, call upon this experience to lead you through it. One success leads to the next as you begin to trust yourself to meet your pain and to move through it. As you trust yourself to heal.
Venturing into my courage is a challenge every time I do it and I always wonder why I left the place that felt so good. Alas, I continue to leave, time after time. But I continue to be summoned back.
Blessedly, I continue to answer the call.
