This wonderfully inspiring book, with over 4 million copies in print, has helped generations of readers. A perfect gift item for any occasion of loss, this timeless masterpiece of instruction and understanding is, according to the New York Times, one of the most recommended books by clinical psychologists.
The classic, inspirational first aid guide for emotional hurt.
UNDERSTANDING LOSS
I find
I lost.
Let's take a moment to view loss in the larger perspective. In nature, loss is an essential element of creation--the rose blossoms, the bud is lost; the plant sprouts, the seed is lost; the day begins, the night is lost. In all cases, loss sets the stage for further creation (or, more accurately, re-creation).
So it is in human life. It's hard to look back on any gain in life that does not have a loss attached to it.
With this firmly in mind we can examine the various losses in life. (Without this overview it tends to become awfully depressing.)
OBVIOUS LOSSES
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS LOSSES
LOSS RELATED TO AGE
LIMBO LOSSES
Limbo losses often feel like this:
My life has fallen down
around me before
--lots of times,
for lots of reasons--
usually other people.
And most of the time
I was fortunate enough
to have a large lump of
that life hit me on the
head and render me numb
to the pain & desolation
that followed.
And I survived.
And I live to love again.
But this,
this slow erosion from below
--or within--
it's me falling down around my life
because you're still in that life
--but not really.
And you're out of that life
--but not quite.
I do all right
alone,
and better
together,
but
I do very poorly
when
semi-
together.
In solitude
I do much,
in love
I do more,
but vin doubt
I only transfer
pain to paper
in gigantic Passion Plays
complete with miracles and martyrs
and crucifixions and resurrections.
Come to stay
or
stay away.
This series of passion poems
is becoming a heavy cross to bare.
The feeling of being "in limbo" is itself a loss. Even if the situation turns out fine (the veteran returns, the lover calls and again professes undying love, etc.), while in doubt that doubt is a loss and should be treated accordingly.
To give you up.
God!
What bell of freedom
that rings within me.
No more waiting for
letters
phone calls
postcards
that never came.
No more creative energy
wasted
in letters never mailed.
And, after awhilE,
no more insomnia,
no more insanity.
Some more happiness,
some more lifE.
All it took was giving you up.
And that took quite a bit.
INEVITABLE LOSSES
There are inevitable losses--losses in which death or separation is imminent. When you recognize these in advance, it will help greatly to
OTHER LOSSES
Temporary losses (lover on vacation, spouse in the service, son or daughter away at school, a slump in business)--even when we know the outcome will eventually be positive--are losses nonetheless.
Even success has built into it certain losses--the loss of a goal to strive for and the changes that are almost certainly part of success.
There are also innumerable "mini losses" that tend to add up during the course of a day, week, month or life. An unexpected dent in the car here, an argument with a friend there, and one can find oneself "inexplicably" depressed.
Each of these losses--immediate or cumulative, sudden or eventual, obvious or not--creates an emotional wound, an injury to the organism.
WHAT LOSS FEELS LIKE
Along with the obvious feelings of pain, depression and sadness, there are other reactions to loss, such as
Any or all of these are to be expected during and after a loss. It's part of the body's natural healing process. Be with these changes; don't fight them. It's OK.
If you haven't had an obvious loss, and yet you relate strongly to a good number of these reactions, you may want to examine the recent past to see if a not-so-obvious loss--or a series of them--has taken place.
If so, you might want to follow a few of the suggestions given in this book. Your mind and body are already involved in the healing process.
THE STAGES OF RECOVERY
the fear that I would
come home one day and
find you gone has turned
into the pain of the
reality.
"What will I do if it happens?"
I would ask myself.
What will I do
now that it
has?
The first stage of recovery is shock/denial/ numbness.
morning.
we wake & snuggle.
afternoon.
a phone call, california beckons.
evening.
the airport, a brutal good(?)bye.
night.
o my god. o my god. o my god.
mourning. again.
I know it was time for us
to part,
but today?
I know I had much pain to
go through,
but tonight
?
The second stage of recovery is fear/anger/ depression.
rain.
it rained.
I
fell.
it
rained
I vloved.
it
rained.
I lost.
it
rained.
It
loved.
I
rained.
rain.
What do I do
now that you're gone?
Well, when there's
nothing else going on,
which is quite often,
I sit in a corner and
I cry
until I am
too numbed
to feel.
Paralyzed, motionless
for awhile,
nothing moving
inside or out.
Then I think
how much I miss you.
Then I feel
fear
pain
loneliness
desolation.
Then
I cry
until I am
too numbed
to feel.
Interesting pastime.
And finally, understanding/acceptance/moving on.
the sun will rise
in a few minutes.
it's been doing it
--regularly--
for as long as I
can remember.
maybe I should
pin my hopes
on important,
but often
unnoticed,
certainties
like that,
not on such relatively
trivial matters as
whether you will ever
love me
or not
I must conquer my loneliness
alone.
I must be happy with myself
or I have
nothing
to offer.
Two halves have
little choice
but to
join,
and yes,
they do
make a
whole.
but two
wholes,
when they coincide...
that is
beauty.
that is
love.
We go through the three staes of recovery no matter what we lose.
Loss is loss, no matter what the cause. When someone or something we love is taken from us or denied us, that is a loss. The only difference in recovering from one loss or another is the intensity of feeling and the duration of the healing process. The greater our loss,
With small losses, the three stages of recovery can be moved through in minutes. For large losses, it can take years. The body, mind and emotions have enormous wisdom. They know how to heal themselves, and the amount of time they will need to do it. Give them what they need to heal. Trust in the process of recovery.
Reprinted from How to Survive the Loss of a Love by Melba Colgrove, Harold H. Bloomfield, Peter McWilliams. Copyright © 1993 by Melba Colgrove, Harold H. Bloomfield, Peter McWilliams. All rights reserved. This excerpt, or any parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
This is a quick read and something that when you are going through a loss you don't have time to spend reading a lot. It goes through all the emotions that you feel. I keep several copies on hand to give to others who may be going through difficult times, whether a divorce, death or other types of losses.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 18, 2009
This is a gentle, very helpful book when one experiences a loss of any kind. It is especially good insight for those of us who have lost a loved one through death or divorce. It even has suggestions for people who lose a home or job. It is beautiflly written in a poetry form and addresses the hurt and fears that one has with loss.
As a mental health counselor, I recommend this book often.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 15, 2013
Going through separation and divorce has been without a doubt the most horrific experience I've ever have to go through in all my 40 years of life. No words to describe it. This book has certainly help me get through this dark time. It describes in a step-by-step and down-to-earth fashion the road to recovery. Each step is also complemented very nicely by short lovely poems describing the emotional state felt at each step in the process.
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Posted November 12, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This a book for every time that your heart has broken or if you have ever been the one left behind. It will make a world of difference in your life. I'd also recommend that you buy "When God Stopped Keeping Score." It is an intimate look at the power of God and forgiveness and one that everyone deserves to read. Buy it and find out why for yourself.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Yelof
Posted May 15, 2010
This book was the most helpful to me when my husband passed away. I believe the reason being that you could read one page at a time and get some solace. What was amazing to me was I was able to identify with so many of the feelings I was experiencing. I was able to pick up the book and open to any page and receive some hope and peace. I have purchased many of these books for friends who have lost a love one and their response to it has been much like mine.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I originally received this book in 1979 while going through a divorce. It was amazing how the book took me through my feelings of loss and of feeling alone even though I had children, family and friends. The loss was tragic for me.
I again brought out the book when my Grandma died and reading it at that time was different but still just what I needed. When my Dad died I purchased a new book and continued to be amazed how the authors new exactly what I was going through and how I was feeling.
Since then I have purchased several books and have given them as gifts to my friends and family with a note explaining how much this book meant to me at a time I needed it. Each person was greatful for this gift.
Lodi
Posted February 18, 2009
I have the orignal book that was by Peter McWilliams himself. I bought the book around 1973 or so. It was most helpful to me because I was going through a divorce. Also, helpful when one loses a loved one from death.
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Posted September 11, 2008
Simply the best support system I ever had, always there and always thoughtful, compassionate and empathetic. THANK YOU for writing from the heart and being real. Thank you Dr.Stephen Alkus for making me glance at a page or two.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 1, 2008
As a clinical therapist, I keep this book on the shelf for clients newly entering the grieving process particularly where the loss of a spouse or significant other is concerned. Responding to the first post, 'Benji', this book is not for what you are experiencing. You are feeling what might be termed 'complicated grief'. A professional counselor might be able to help you sort out the issues that have hindered your healing process.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 28, 2007
I went through the death of my 5 month old son & a divorce in less than a years time. I never learned to deal with my feelings & just suppressed them. Around 20 years later it turned into a major depression. I thought this book would help me heal with the lose of my son, & deal with the rejection from my divorce. It didn't help with either. I would have liked more information & they should have left out the poems or sayings--on every other page. I felt it was a real waste of time & money. IF you do purchase the book, buy it used (to save some money).
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Posted October 23, 2007
This book has helped me through my first break up in high school to the death of my father and later that of my beloved cat. I gave it to a friend surviving a divorce and she thanks me often. This book provides the emotional tools to survive all forms of loss. This is one of my most treasured items!!!
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Posted November 6, 2006
This book helped me through a depression after the end of a long-term relationship. Although I read the whole book as soon as I got it, I found that I wasn't ready for the third section. When I came back to it a month or two later, I realized how right the book had been and how on target it was with its thoughtful suggestions. Well worth the read for someone with a freshly broken heart or one that is on the mend.
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Posted January 13, 2006
I have been reading this book and giving away copies for about fifteen years now. It is amazing how many people this book has helped, myself included. Easy reading, profoundly helpful. Everyone would benefit from reading this book, at one time or another.
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Posted December 7, 2005
Regardless of your 'loss'- love, life, health, job, security, confidence, or money,--regardless of the reason- this book can help you make some sense of it all, and, when and if you are ready, help you get you back on your feet. Highly recommended by someone grateful to the friend who gave me my first copy. Do something good for yourself and read this little book.
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Posted July 17, 2005
Sure there were some points that I related to and those lovely poems that sounded exactly like they were coming from my heart, however I got done with the book between tears and memories and no resolution. I am still not over my ex.
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Posted April 30, 2005
I was going through a very sad divorce when my therapist recommended this book. I read it and it spoke to me and I have given several copies to friends in need but have never forgotten the help that this book gave me. I am now 10 years past divorce and with a happy,healthy life and still think of this book for any one in need. I am now buying two more copies...one for my book shelf and another for a friend. You will thank yourself if you get this book.
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Posted November 26, 2002
This book helped me survive...and several of my friends and aquantances. I have used this book myself and have given it often to people who I think will benefit from having an easy read self help book. I keep a couple copies on hand to give when I meet someone that is trying to survive. I have given to people who have divorced, people who have lost people close to them, I have even given to people who have lost pets, jobs, friends. I have given to people I know and total strangers that confided in me there loss and have sent them copies through the mail. You can open this book at random pages and get support. Love the format the best. If you don't get the answer on the left page maybe you will on the right (no pun here, read the book and you'll understand). I have been giving and using this book since 1989 when I purchased my first copy.
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Posted September 11, 2002
I love this book! I have recommended it to so many people going through breakups, and was pleased to hear how many had already owned a copy or had it recommended by someone else. I would dub this the "Bible of Loss."
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Posted January 23, 2002
I didn't think I'd ever make it through my divorce, nor did I really want to at times. This book gave me some key things to focus on and helped me take it one day at a time. I have lent my copy out over and over, but I always get it back -- I will keep it forever.
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Posted May 8, 2002
My therapist gave me this book after the end of a relationship, and it proved extremely valuable then and now that I'm going through another break-up. I also lent it to a friend who went through a painful break-up. It's a wonderful, healing gift to give yourself or a friend who is struggling through the pain of losing a loved one.
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Overview
This wonderfully inspiring book, with over 4 million copies in print, has helped generations of readers. A perfect gift item for any occasion of loss, this timeless masterpiece of instruction and understanding is, according to the New York Times, one of the most recommended books by clinical psychologists.
The classic, inspirational first aid guide for emotional hurt.