American culture needs to change. We are so focused on entertaining ourselves that we are willing to ignore our problems. The grief that our children are facing is supposed to be medicated away by television and videogames? Counseling has its place but the most effective way of dealing with grief is with family, friends and those who you are close to. When in denial or shock a strong support system is vital to recovery.
We want to ignore our friends who are grieving because we don’t know what to say and it makes us feel uncomfortable? How selfish and cruel have we become? When you bond with someone it is done by going through struggles together. By not helping someone with their grief you miss an amazing chance to connect and help that person.
There is no magic potion for making someone feeling better while they struggle with grief. Often, just being there and keeping quite can help someone. Let the bereaved know you care and that you are listening. I know that if someone did that for me it would help tremendously. The times I have been there for my family and for other people, they have told me how much it mattered.
I absolutely agree. Simply having someone there to listen helps tremendously. Video games and such can have their place however - Who doesn't enjoy a little get-away into another world? However instead of video games I tend to listen to music or read a fantasy book. Everyone's different.
ReplyDeleteBack onto topic though, I know the best 'bonding moments' I've had with some of my friends have been either while one of us is complaining/being sad about something, or when we're both excited about something. The former is the one that applies here, though. ;)