When we are in our early twenties, most of us haven't experienced life as a reality. What we picture as what we will want and need is usually based upon dreams -- not the reality of a "lived" life.

For some of us, reality comes in the form of unexpected challenges, like those that I experienced when my son was born. For others, the path remains smooth. But eventually, my friend, everyone encounters some kind of tradgedy such as the natural death of an older relative, the premature death of a parent or sibling, or some other type of trama.

Maybe, we don't encounter "loss" ourselves, but we're out in the world and we learn that these things happen. Maybe they've happened to a close friend, or a roommate, or a colleague at work.

And that's when and how we learn about "loss."

And all losses need to be grieved. That's how we grow. We
grieve the loss of each dream by facing, then acknowledging and eventually accepting that those youthful dreams weren't based upon the reality of life.

I believe that all true growth results from loss.

Please keep reading Emily