|
|
1 (855) 894-5658
January 2023
|
|
ERICSHOUSE
January Newsletter
|
|
Dear EricsHouse Community,
Welcome to January 2023! A new year without our loved ones is difficult. Our hearts ache for those we miss the most. Some ways to honor loved ones and heal this year include...
- Keep your loved ones' memory alive. Some ideas include planting a memorial garden, lighting a candle in their honor, sharing a story about them, or listening to their favorite songs.
- Allow space to grieve and honor your emotions. Grant yourself permission to acknowledge your feelings. Whether it is sadness, anger, or moments of joy. Finding ways to release heavy emotions can be very powerful. Anything from journaling, movement of your body, reading, art, or talking with someone you trust can serve as ways of expressive healing.
-
Prioritize self-care as an essential part of your calendar all year long. Be compassionate with yourself as you navigate your grief journey. Making time for yourself is crucial. The time can be spent doing things you enjoy such as hiking, painting, yoga, reading, traveling, or trying a new restaurant.
-EricsHouse
|
|
A Letter From Our Founder-
Marianne Gouveia
|
|
Happy New Year from the Team at EricsHouse –
The death of someone you love deeply is always painful. When someone dies suddenly, it seems the shock and numbness will last forever, especially when the circumstances are related to alcohol, drugs, or suicide. The journey through these losses is difficult with many conflicting moments that seem to throw our lives into a state of chaos. It is hard to even imagine that we could live our lives thinking about anything except our loved one and our grief.
A common misconception held by many societies is that we can “fix” our grief, “get over” the loss, or “replace” the person. This is a misguided belief because we never “get over” our loss. Grief cannot be fixed and we can’t sweep our feelings under the rug. For many, the loss of someone special to us is life-changing. Like many other traumatic experiences, it changes us forever.
It may be hard to imagine that, with all the pain that we carry in our hearts and souls, there is hope our unique loss experiences become part of us in a healthy way. We can’t avoid the pain – in fact, we must embrace it – and in doing so our grief becomes our teacher. Here are three thoughts that helped me to survive unchartered waters.
- Our teacher, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Founder of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Ft. Collins, CO. says “there is no reward for speed”. We don’t feel better by going faster. I love this idea because it allows us to give ourselves permission to heal in our own time and in our own unique way.
- The journey through loss requires patience. We place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. Ideas suggesting that we “should be feeling better by now”, “others tell me I must move on” or “get over it”. The expert in your grief is YOU! Trust your mind, body, heart, and soul to guide you on your path toward healing.
- Tears are a sign of strength, not weakness. Biologically, evidence shows that crying releases attachment hormones, like oxytocin. Naturally occurring opioids, which are important for pain relief, are also released when we cry. After I lost my son Eric, I learned that when I cried, I felt closer and more attached to him. It, in fact, gave me comfort.
At EricsHouse, we like the analogy of a coin – love on one side and grief on the other. We would never take some of our grief away if it also meant giving up some of our love. Without love, grief would be easy.
On behalf of the team at EricsHouse – Greg, Charlotte, Madison, Patty G, Carolyn, Mike, Kim, Patty K, Sara, April, Krisie, Dr. Kathleen, Dr. Denise, Bailee, Ken, Sanjeev, Robert, Jill, and Joan, we wish to thank all our members for allowing us to support you during the toughest times of your life. And we thank all our generous donors for making this support possible. Without you, we could not support the many broken hearts in our communities across the US. We thank you.
With Love and Blessing for the New Year,
Marianne Gouveia, Founder & Chairman
|
|
New Video: Breathwork to Move Through Grief & Anxiety |
|
Grief Fog – The Day the Squirrels Stole My Keys
By Greg Eckerman
|
March 19, 2016.
Eric died three weeks ago. His funeral was two weeks ago.
We have to get out of the house, too many memories, too much pain. But where can we go?
Ahh, the cabin – our escape and our refuge. Asylum.
I think I drove. Someone had to have driven, our car was there . . . so were Marianne, Joey, and I.
I can’t stay inside, so I wander aimlessly through the woods around the cabin.
Thinking about how to not think.
It was cold, still snow on the ground. I go around again . . . and again.
Where the hell are my keys?
I must have had keys because the car is here. You need keys to drive a car.
Retrace my steps . . . three times, thank God for the snow.
Maybe if I walk the circuit in reverse.
They’re not there, so . . . I check the places I know I haven’t been. Twice.
Now there’s footprints everywhere.
Check inside the cabin, again. Check the car for the fourth time.
I’d better tell Marianne – maybe she took them. Nope.
Where the hell are my keys?
The squirrels! They take shiny things. How did they get them out of my pocket?
I hate those dang squirrels. Why did they do this to me? What did I ever do to them?
Now we’re trapped here, maybe forever. How much food do we have?
What if we starve?
We could hunt . . . how do you cook squirrel?
Fortunately, an understanding friend went to our home in Phoenix and drove up to the cabin with spare keys. We made it! We didn’t starve.
The next summer our cabin neighbor came over and asked if I knew why there were car keys on his property. I’ll never understand why the squirrels hid them there.
We can laugh about it now, but until you’re in it you can’t imagine how dense grief fog can be.
In this new year be kind to yourself, and patient with yourself. I wish you all a fog-free, squirrel-free year filled with new meaning and purpose.
|
|
Men's Accountability Group for Business Executives:
A confidential, men's accountability group for executives driven by belief that addiction recovery is an opportunity for self-exploration. Only through connection with others with similar experiences and a mindset to dig deep can one show up more effectively in their personal and professional lives. Interviews for this group are required. Groups will be held virtually and or in-person depending on need.
|
|
Men's Addiction
Processing Group:
All addictions have one thing in common - disconnection. This confidential group is open to all men in recovery, providing a safe place to connect with others who struggle with similar challenges. Living a life in recovery means exploring, confronting and sharing life's challenges including interpersonal skills building, self-esteem, peer and romantic relationships, confidence-building, conflict avoidance, and more. An interview is required.
|
|
Groups will be held virtually and or in-person depending on need. Please contact
Jason is client-centered and uses a variety of modalities including Brainspotting, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Person-Centered, Trauma Focused, and Strength-based and Resilience therapies. His clinical experience includes working with individuals, groups and couples.
Prior to becoming a Licensed Therapist, Jason had a long career in business as a senior executive and Chief Executive Officer. His personal and professional experiences prior to becoming a therapist provides a unique set of life experiences that bring depth and breadth to each client he serves.
|
|
EricsHouse Inc.
1 (855) 894-5658
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
