It will depend on where you are in your grief journey, but at some point you may feel the need to get out of the house and redirect your pain. I encourage to you to do something productive and meaningful through the gift of volunteering. Doing volunteer work is a great way to keep busy while you are grieving. You will offer help to others while helping yourself heal.
Using your own experiences, talents and hobbies you will be able to help others. You will feel a sense of great accomplishment, a feeling of satisfaction and self worth.
Working with others eases the loneliness and sadness felt after the loss of a loved one. This loneliness is very often difficult to overcome. You may even feel alone in a crowd of people. In volunteering you can create an outlet for helping others as well as a great healing opportunity for yourself.
In April we celebrated National Volunteer Week. Did you know Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteers in Canada? It is close to 60 per cent of our population in our province that does some type of volunteer service. They use their time and energy to help others. People of all ages can volunteer in schools, hospitals, care homes, food banks and countless other facilities. Most organizations would not exist without volunteers.
Often newly bereaved people are the ones who are looking for an activity to help others while helping themselves. By reaching out to others you redirect your own sorrow. Keeping busy at home or outside the home will help keep your mind occupied. I encourage you to focus your attention outside of your own grief. You may be ready to establish a new routine in your life. This new routine may continue long after your grief has diminished.
You, the grieving are standing on holy ground. You know what grief feels like. You are one who truly understands the grieving process. You are the best person to help others who are grieving.
When you are ready, it will feel good to reach out to others who are suffering the pain of loss. You will have a great deal to share with others who are suffering: you can identify with their struggles and pain, empathize with their sorrows, doubts and fears, as well as offering valuable assistance and support.
Giving of yourself as a volunteer enables you to pursue your own personal interests, polish up on old skills and learn new ones, and make a positive impact in your community. No one is too old or too young to give the gift of volunteering.
"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Margaret Anne Yost nursed for 35 years. I completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Regina General Hospital. Returning back to school I completed classes from the Red River College in the areas of Gerontology, Bereavement, Death and Dying.
I was enrolled eight years in lay ministry training, and graduated as a (LPA) Lay Pastoral Assistant. For twelve years I worked in bereavement support at a funeral home.
At present I am employed as an Interim Parish Worker at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Melville Sask. I also enjoy my role as homemaker and full time grandmother.
If you are grieving at this time and you would like to share your story or comment on what you have read, I may be reached at the following numbers 1-306-621-9877 (9am-5pm) or at my home 1-306-728-4744 (evenings) Comments and articles may also be forward to me by mail: Margaret Anne Yost, P.0. Box 554, Melville, Sask. S0A 2P0.
