be the tortoise

The speaker encourages the listener to embrace a slow grief journey and pay attention to the details of their surroundings, particularly the sky. They then share the story of "The Hare and the Tortoise" as a reminder that the race is not always won by the fastest, encouraging the listener to take their time in working through their grief. The speaker also shares a personal experience of loss and the comfort found in remembering a friend's encouraging words. They emphasize that loss is a shared experience and encourage the listener to seek support when ready. Welcome to the healing reflection that allows you to come near grief and move toward healing. Set an intention to be okay with a slow grief journey. One day at a time. Notice the sky today. What do you see when you allow your attention to peer through a window? What color is the sky? Are there clouds? If there are clouds, allow yourself to look for an image in them. What do you see? Are there planes flying? Allow yourself to notice the sky and just notice details you may at other times be too busy to pay attention to. Emotions. How do you feel when you notice the sky and pay attention to the details? How are you feeling right now? Action. Listen to this Aesop's Tale and allow yourself to hear a needed message as you work through your grief. I'm sharing Aesop's Tale, The Hare and the Tortoise. I am sure most of you have heard this. The hare was making fun of the tortoise one day for being so slow. Do you ever get anywhere? he asked with a mocking laugh. Yes, replied the tortoise, and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it. The hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off. The hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the tortoise should catch up. The tortoise, meanwhile, kept going slowly but steadily, and after a time passed the place where the hare was sleeping. But the hare slept on very peacefully, and when at last he did wake up, the tortoise was near the goal. The hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the tortoise in time. The moral of the story, the race is not always to the swift. Reflect Reflect on how you can take your time to work through your grief. Does it feel okay to be the tortoise? With grief, I know you might want to rush through the pain and get to the better. Trust yourself. You will get there. There was a time when the loss of my best friend in my 30s was devastating. And today, if you ever hear me say the words, not yet, that is me never forgetting how this beautiful friend in my life for my 20s and 30s would encourage me. For example, if I said I can't play the piano as good as so-and-so, Melissa's sweet voice would say, not yet. I hear myself say that phrase to my counseling clients, and it brings comfort to feel that connection with my friend. And believe me, dear listener, that was a tortoise trip to my healing. You do not have to feel alone. Loss is a shared life experience. When you feel ready, find someone to hold and honor your loss with you, and you do not have to rush to get there. Thank you so much for listening. Have a beautiful day. you