Photo: courtesy of J.Moore Finding Comfort
The recent plane crash over the Potomac River in DC has left our nationwide family reeling in shock and grief. The lives lost included U.S. soldiers, talented athletes from the ice skating world, union workers, and individuals with bright futures from all walks of life. Each person on that plane had their own unique story, dreams, aspirations, and no doubt a band of people who loved them very much.
As we mourn the loss of these precious lives, we honor the sacredness of each soul and the specialness of every heart.
Grieving from Afar
Grieving for someone we don’t know can be a complex and unique experience. Even though we may not have a personal connection to the victims, we can still feel a deep sense of sorrow and empathy. We can almost feel as though what happened to others could have happened to us. This universal phenomenon, expressing both vulnerability and compassion, is often referred to as vicarious or empathic grief, and if you are struggling or overwhelmed by it, I hope this brief article offers you some guidance.
Vicarious grief emerges when we experience:
1. Empathy: We can imagine how the victims’ loved ones must be feeling, and this empathy can trigger our own grief response.
2. Shared humanity: We recognize that the victims were fellow human beings – our brothers and sisters – deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion.
3. Fear and vulnerability: The sudden and tragic loss of life can evoke fears about our own mortality and vulnerability.Honoring Lives LostWe naturally call to mind all those on the plane and those on the helicopter. As we do, we honor these individuals by acknowledging the unique contributions they made to the world with their talents, gifts, and passion.
Honoring Lives Lost
We naturally call to mind all those on the plane and those on the helicopter. As we do, we honor these individuals by acknowledging the unique contributions they made to the world with their talents, gifts, and passion.
If you’re struggling to process your emotions, here are some coping strategies to consider:
Finding Comfort
If you’re struggling to process your emotions, here are some coping strategies to consider:
1. Allow yourself to feel: Acknowledge your emotions, and give yourself permission to feel whatever arises.
2. Notice Disguised Anger: in the form of blame. Blaming can be a natural reflex in a situation such as this. Though understandable, it is often a short-handed way to a) handle the anger we feel and b) keep from feeling powerless. However, when we blame someone or something prematurely, we are telling ourselves that we have certainty about the situation; it’s our way of feeling more in control. Remaining open to all the possibilities regarding what caused this accident will ultimately help to process the emotions surrounding it.
3. Acknowledge the existential question, if it arises within, “How could such a terrible thing happen to such good people?” but dwell in it gently. What happened in DC is hard to fathom, as are many things that happen in this world. Perhaps more important than the answer is the willingness to live in the question. Doing so may have a profound effect on how we choose to live day-to-day.
4. Tend to yourself: Treat yourself, when it comes to handling all of your feelings, with kindness and compassion.
5. If you pray, here is a prayer for the victims, their families, and all touched by this tragedy:
In this moment, we come together in unity and compassion, holding in our hearts all those affected by the plane collision in Washington, D.C. We acknowledge the profound grief and pain experienced by the victims, their families, and everyone involved, including those of us witnessing this tragedy through the media.
We affirm that there is a Divine Presence of love and healing that surrounds and enfolds each individual touched by this event. We recognize the strength and resilience within each person, knowing that they are supported by a higher power that guides them through this difficult time.
We send our heartfelt prayers and thoughts to the victims and their families, envisioning them wrapped in a blanket of comfort and peace. We see them finding solace in the love and support of their communities, and we trust that they are being uplifted by the collective compassion of all who care.
For those of us who are witnessing this tragedy via the media, we affirm that we, too, are held in the embrace of Divine Love. We acknowledge the emotional impact of such events and pray for our own healing and well-being. May we find strength in our capacity to empathize and be moved to extend our support to those in need.
As we hold a vision of healing for all involved, we trust that the power of love and compassion transcends all boundaries. We affirm that, even in the midst of darkness, there is a light that shines within each heart.
May those whose lives were lost in DC fly home on angels’ wings and may our love for them light up the sky.
