by Cori Leigh | Jul 19, 2024 | Grief & Loss
Journaling through grief offers a unique path to healing. It provides a safe and personal space to process complex emotions, reflect on our experiences, and gradually piece together the fragments of our shattered hearts. For me, journaling has been a constant companion in my life.
Over the past five years, journaling has become both a healing and transformative practice. Through writing, I’ve been able to express my deepest feelings and find a sense of healing, peace, and strength. This practice has allowed me to navigate my grief more effectively, offering a space to untangle my emotions and gain clarity during challenging times.
My Journey Through Grief and Loss
In 2019, my life took a drastic turn when my parents were involved in a severe car accident. Overnight, I became a caregiver for both my mom and dad. Just months later, my close aunt was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and passed away within six weeks. As if that wasn’t enough, my dad was diagnosed with cancer while also living with dementia.
The pandemic then intensified caregiving responsibilities and isolation. In August 2022, my 17 1/2-year-old dog Bella passed away suddenly beside me. Soon after, my dad entered palliative care at home, and I cared for him each night until he passed away on November 12, 2022.
Since then, I’ve faced more loss, including our 16-year-old Lab mix, Koda, another close aunt, and a cousin. Navigating grief and loss while attending to my well-being has been challenging, yet journaling has been a vital practice that has helped me immensely.
The Role of Journaling
Journaling became my refuge during the quiet, often lonely nights caring for my dad. With only the light of my laptop screen piercing the darkness, I poured my heart onto the pages. Writing about the pain of losing loved ones provided a glimmer of hope and strength.
Journaling was not just an outlet for my grief but a crucial tool for self-care. Writing multiple times a day offered comfort and clarity, helping me navigate the tumultuous waves of grief and find moments of peace. My journal writing helped to lighten the consuming weight of grief enabling me to feel a sense of peace.
Benefits of Journaling
- Emotional Release: Journaling provides a safe space to express deep emotions, releasing pent-up feelings and reducing the intensity of grief.
- Processing Grief: Writing helps make sense of complex emotions and find meaning amid chaos. It allows you to explore and understand your pain.
- Self-Reflection: Journaling encourages self-awareness, leading to personal growth and resilience. Reflecting on experiences can provide valuable insights into your emotional responses.
- Stress Reduction: Writing about thoughts and feelings reduces stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm. It can act as a form of meditation, helping to alleviate stress.
- Finding Hope: Journaling can help identify moments of hope and gratitude, shifting focus from pain to appreciation. Reflecting on positive experiences fosters a sense of peace.
- Building Resilience: Regular journaling strengthens emotional resilience. It allows you to see your progress and recognize your inner strength.
Life is filled with challenges and moments that weigh us down. Journaling has been my lifeline, helping me navigate deep grief and multiple losses. If you’re facing similar struggles, I encourage you to start writing. Journaling can be a powerful tool for healing and emotional well-being, offering hope and strength.
Through my journal, I found a way to process grief, honor loved ones, and heal my broken heart. It became a testament to resilience and a reminder that even in profound loss, there is a path to recovery. So, take a moment, find a quiet space, and let your thoughts flow onto the paper. As I did, you may discover that journaling can be a light of hope in the darkest times.
by Cori Leigh | Jun 12, 2024 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace
We believe the messages we tell ourselves. During a long season of living with anxiety and panic attacks, I wrote constantly. Writing became a therapeutic way of coping. Doing this helped me deal with my thoughts about the fear and anxiety in my life. Below is something I wrote when trying to remind myself that it was just anxiety.
It’s Just Anxiety
An all too familiar feeling of paralyzing fear wells up inside.
Except… there is nothing to fear.
A surge of adrenaline rushes all through me in a whoosh!
It is just a false alarm and no reason to run.
I am flooded with a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms.
It’s another panic attack.
There is an overreaction in my mind, causing it to race.
I’m thrust into fight-or-flight mode.
A strong desire enters in to have someone near.
I don’t want to be alone during the panic attack.
I tell myself…
It’s just anxiety, and it can’t hurt me.
Panic and raging fear are not my Goliath.
There’s not much it can do to me anymore.
I have lived with it for so many years.
Every new day is a strange mystery.
I never know when the panic will come.
When it does, my world is shaken.
Fear will rush in.
I will keep reminding myself of what it is.
Anxiety has no power over me.
What do you tell yourself about the anxiety in your life?
What we tell ourselves has the power to heal us or break us more. Positive affirmations that help decrease anxiety are an integral part of the healing journey.
But what if we shift our focus from anxiety, stress, and worry to more constructive and peaceful thoughts?
Here are a few benefits to consider:
Improved Mental Health: Redirecting your thoughts can reduce the intensity and frequency of anxiety. By focusing on positive outcomes, gratitude, or even small daily achievements, you create a mental buffer against stress.
Physical Health: Anxiety often manifests physically—racing heart, muscle tension, fatigue. By focusing less on stress and more on relaxation techniques, your body can experience reduced symptoms, leading to overall better health.
Emotional Resilience: When you practice shifting your focus away from worry, you build emotional strength. This resilience allows you to handle life’s challenges with a calmer mind and a stronger sense of self.
Productivity and Joy: Worrying can be paralyzing, making it difficult to focus on tasks. By minimizing anxiety, you open the door to increased productivity and a greater sense of accomplishment, which in turn brings more joy into your life.
Peace comes when you can accept yourself for who you are. Know you are more than the anxiety that may exist in your life. You can reclaim your peace and live a life with more balance and purpose.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
by Cori Leigh | Jun 12, 2024 | Short Stories
Sierra sat propped up in her bed, her room shrouded in the dim, gray light of early morning. The laptop screen cast a cold, blue glow on her face as she scrolled through page after page, searching for a glimmer of hope amidst her sea of despair. Each click felt heavier, as if the weight of her sorrow was pressing her down into the mattress.
It had been 18 long months since her fiancé, Seth, was killed in a fatal car crash. The dreams they had shared, the future she had envisioned, seemed to have died along with him. The weight of grief, anxiety, and depression felt like an anchor, dragging her deeper into a chasm of darkness.
Her eyes were red and swollen from countless nights of tears, and her heart felt like it was wrapped in layers of lead. With a heavy sigh, she continued her search for something—anything—that might bring her comfort. Just as she was about to close her laptop in defeat, her weary eyes stumbled upon a blog titled Light in the Shadows. Desperation drove her to click the link, hoping that perhaps, just maybe, this time something would speak to her aching heart.
Through blurred vision, Sierra read a poem titled A Hope for Tomorrow:
A Hope for Tomorrow
Black clouds of uncertainty
leave you no hope;
as you stumble and fall
down a discouraging slope.
Into your valley of
lonely despair,
Jesus is asking you
to meet Him right there.
He’ll raise out from your valley
restoring lost hope,
giving you strength as
you learn to cope.
He is your light of hope
in all of the pain;
joy comes in the morning
so you can dance in the rain.
He knows your sorrows
and just how you feel,
aware you are hurting
and wants you to heal.
He heals your broken places
and calms the fears;
be your light of hope for
all of your years.
Let the Lord radiate your path
for today and tonight,
taking you out of the shadows
and into His light.
Surrender all of your burdens
and broken heart,
Jesus is your comforter
in Him healing will start.
You are wonderfully made
and He loves you,
knowing just when you’re
happy or blue.
One day at a time He’ll help
you to stand,
as you walk in faith toward
all He has planned.
In Him, you have a purpose
and are here for a reason,
the struggles you face
are here for a season.
Sierra’s tears began to dry as she absorbed the soothing words of the poem. A flicker of realization sparked within her. It had been too long since she had turned to God, too long since she had sought solace in her faith.
A sense of clarity washed over her—perhaps it was time to reconnect with the faith she had abandoned. Closing the lid on her laptop, she rose from her bed with newfound resolve.
Grabbing her Bible, she opened it up to the first verse she saw. It said:
“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.”
2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
Have you ever faced a time when everything seemed to fall apart, and hope felt like a distant dream? What helped you navigate through those moments of darkness? I invite you to share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your story could be the light of hope someone else needs.
by Cori Leigh | Jun 12, 2024 | Cups of Hope
No matter what challenges you face today, your life holds a great purpose!
Every moment offers opportunities to grow, change, and heal. Purpose, peace, and healing often emerge while in the throes of life’s broken places. There is hope and a purpose that rises above the pain of our circumstances. However, many of us struggle to hold onto hope for a brighter tomorrow despite the challenges we face during tough times.
Reflect on Your Journey: Like I did years ago and continue to today, take a moment to acknowledge where you are and how far you’ve come. Consider journaling about your experiences—what has challenged you the most, and what lessons have you learned? Writing down your thoughts can help you identify patterns and gain insight into your growth.
Seek Small Wins: When hope fades, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong. Instead, try to find one positive thing each day, no matter how small. It might be a kind word from a friend, a moment of peace, or a task you accomplished. Celebrate these small victories! They are stepping stones toward a greater purpose.
Embrace Healing and Growth
Years ago, I was overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and panic attacks—each triggered by traumatic life events. When hope fades, it’s easy to focus solely on what’s wrong, which makes it difficult to see what’s right. This mindset can leave us feeling more stuck, making it challenging to discover a purpose that reaches beyond the pain of our circumstances.
This was me years ago. I felt trapped in my circumstances, with hope for a better and safer tomorrow seeming far out of reach. Healing and freedom from fear, worry, and anxiety appeared unattainable.
Identify Your Triggers: Just as I faced anxiety and panic attacks, it’s important to identify what triggers your stress and anxiety. This awareness can empower you to manage or avoid these triggers, creating space for healing.
Practice Self-Compassion: Understand that healing is a journey that takes time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to feel what you feel without judgment. Practice self-care activities that nurture your soul, like taking a walk or spending time with loved ones.
Navigating Financial Hardship
As a single mother raising two daughters alone, financial challenges were constant, with often not enough money to make ends meet. The future seemed uncertain, and all I could see were the broken pieces of my life. I wondered if anything would ever be right again, questioning how I could put my life back together, piece by broken piece.
Set Realistic Goals: When facing financial hardship we feel overwhelmed. Break down your financial goals into manageable steps. Whether saving a small amount each week, creating a budget, or finding additional sources of income, each step brings you closer to stability.
Find Support: Find community resources, financial advisors, or trusted friends who can offer guidance and support. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. There is strength in seeking help when you need it.
Healing Through Writing
During this time, I wrote more than ever before. Writing became a healing ointment for my hurting heart. On paper, I could pour out my feelings about everything. Sometimes I read past journal entries from years past. In those times it’s a look at my life through previous writings. I see the broken woman I once was. Those pages hold broken dreams, seasons of grief, hopelessness, and sadness.
Start Journaling: Just as I found healing in writing, you can too. Start by journaling your thoughts and feelings each day. Don’t worry about structure—let the words flow naturally. Over time, you may find that journaling helps you process emotions and gain clarity.
Reflect on Your Progress: Revisit your old journal entries to see how much you’ve grown. This can be a powerful reminder of your resilience and the progress you’ve made.
Finding Peace in Faith
In my broken and anxious, fearful heart, God met me there. I’m still in awe of how Jesus sprinkled His light of hope in my darkness—enough to carry me through each day. He gave me hope and a purpose that reached beyond my pain. I could finally dance in the rain—not because all my problems vanished, but because I had hope.
Lean into Your Faith: If you have a faith practice, lean into it during difficult times. Whether through prayer, or reading your bible or other books, these practices can offer comfort and remind you that you’re not alone.
Embrace Hope: Remember, peace isn’t the absence of problems but the presence of hope in the midst of them.
Regardless of the extent of your suffering, past or present, there is hope and a future! One that leads to brighter tomorrow.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below…
Can you remember a time when you were in a dark season?
How did you find hope for a better tomorrow?
by Cori Leigh | Jun 5, 2024 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace
Anyone who has suffered a panic attack knows how horrible they are. I struggled for so many years with terrible panic attacks. They came out of the blue multiple times a day. Eventually, I became so afraid of when the next one would come. I didn’t know how to calm myself down when panic struck.
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