“Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.”
What this quote means
Vicki Harrison's metaphor compares grief to the ocean with its tides, illustrating the fluctuating nature of pain. It acknowledges that sometimes we are calm, sometimes overwhelmed, and that we cannot control these waves. The idea of learning to swim suggests that we can develop coping strategies to deal with it, without ever completely eliminating sadness. It applies to any grieving process, offering a perspective of adaptation and resilience.
How to apply it daily
Identify a coping technique that soothes you, such as deep breathing or walking. Use it when you feel a wave of grief rising, to stay afloat without denying your emotion.
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