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Grief allows you to let go of something you have lost only when you begin to accept what you now have in its place. As our mind clings to the familiar, to our established expectations, we can become trapped in feelings of disappointment, confusion, anger, that create our own internal worlds of suffering.
Daniel J. Siegel
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Grief helps us move on by accepting new realities after a loss.

This quote by Daniel J. Siegel highlights the complex nature of grief and the importance of acceptance in healing. It suggests that while the loss of something familiar can lead to a range of negative emotions, true fulfillment and relief come from recognizing and embracing the new circumstances we face, allowing us to break free from the pain of clinging to what was.

Themes

GriefAcceptanceLossHealingEmotions

In practice

Example use cases

During a funeral, sharing this quote could comfort those mourning the deceased.

More from Daniel J. Siegel

...not all encounters with the world affect the mind equally. Studies have demonstrated that if the brain appraises an event as "meaningful," it will be more likely to be recalled in the future.
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Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.
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Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioural consequences.
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While the days of parenting may seem so long, the years are so short.
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We must keep in mind that only a part of memory can be translated into the language-based packets of information people use to tell their life stories to others. Learning to be open to many layers of communication is a fundamental part of getting to know another person's life.
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For "full" emotional communication, one person needs to allow his state of mind to be influenced by that of the other.
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