Humpback Whale Rescue: Courage, Trust & Gratitude

I read this touching story on a private Facebook Page so I would like to share it here.

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

This is her story of giving gratitude.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her…. a very dangerous proposition.

One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you be so fortunate …

To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Bereavement Support Groups in Seattle Area

• Swedish/Edmonds

Healing after a loss is often a long and difficult journey. Swedish/Edmonds offers groups and events that support people experiencing the grief that follows the death of a loved one. All parts of the program are offered as a service to the community and are free of charge.

• Evergreen Grief and Bereavement Services

The death of a loved one is an emotionally intense and deeply personal experience. While each person may react to the loss differently, there are many common threads that weave through the experience of grief. The emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual responses to the death may be surprising and intense. Evergreen Grief and Bereavement Services is available to provide support and education for all persons in our community who have experienced a loss through death.

• Providence Hospice of Seattle

Grief is not an event, it is a constant unfolding. Providence Hospice of Seattle offers a full range of compassionate response to children and adults who are grieving the loss of a significant person. We realize the importance of acknowledging the unique grieving process of every individual. Included in this acknowledgement is the understanding that grief has no timeline.

• The Healing Center

The Healing Center is a grief-support community for adults, children and families.  Our community offers a unique, long-term, multi-faceted approach to grief support, combining individual and group support with informal events and social networks.

Financial Stress: Examine and Plan

Most people struggle with financial stress. This type of stress can cause fighting, bitterness, resentment, secrecy, shame, dishonesty, guilt and fear. There are no quick solutions, but there are steps you can take to feel more empowered. The first step is to answer three questions honestly. 1. How much money is being spent? 2. How much money is being earned? 3. How much debt exists? Write down the facts and make a "small steps" plan. The primary goal, when possible, is to pay down debt rather than accumulate more. If you find this isn't possible given all your expenses, seek advice, negotiate payment plans, and find areas of spending that can be adjusted. It is important to keep living and honor yourself through spending money on things that match your life values, while paying down debt. In doing so, you feel empowered, which improves your mental health. It is about taking small steps toward creating a healthier financial future rather than seeking quick fixes, depriving yourself, or putting life on hold until money issues are solved.

The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self Compassion: Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen

Dr. Kristin Neff gives a wonderful 19 minute talk about how we can be more compassionate toward ourselves, and how self-criticism undermines our motivation. She also shares a touching personal story about her son.

Facing the Predator of Fear

Wildlife experts tell us what to do if we see a cougar 50 yards or more away. They tell us not to run, or turn our backs. They tell us running makes things worse because the cougar will see us behaving like prey, and give chase. Common suggestions include: standing up, facing the cougar, maintaining eye contact, making our bodies look bigger, and slowly moving to higher ground or a safer location. I believe this is also true when it comes to facing our internal fear responses to life situations. It helps to look at what scares us, give the feelings some attention, and take slow, thoughtful action so the feared element no longer intimidates us. I help people identify fears they are ready to examine, give attention and care to the arising feelings, and learn how to cope and respond when fear arises.

Closing the Day on a Good Note

Recently, I caught some of the 11 o'clock news, which I rarely watch. I was deeply disturbed by a particular news story that I could not get out of my mind. This was just one of several disturbing stories that aired within those first ten minutes. I found it an unsettling end to an otherwise lovely day, and it reminded me of the importance of being mindful about what I choose to watch. The world is not filled with violence, abuse, chaos and destruction to the extent news programming indicates. It is especially important to keep this in mind if you are already stressed, grieving, depressed, anxious or lonely. It is important to expose ourselves to relaxing and soothing things when possible, especially before falling asleep.

Couples Tip: Tell Them What You Want

Many couples I see want to support each other better. Often we have an unrealistic expectation that the "right" partner will "know" how to respond. One of the ways to feel supported by your partner is to help them help you. If you are upset, share with your partner what is happening within you, and if you can, guide them toward understanding what you want or need. Your partner may or may not be able to provide what you seek, but at least they have an opportunity to try in the moment, or at a later time. Either way, you will both learn something important.

"Good" Changes Cause Grief and Loss

Clients have asked me, "I made a change in my life for the better, so why do I feel sad?" The way I view change is that there is always something left behind. For example, if you decide to quit a stressful job to start a new one, it might seem as though you should feel only relief and happiness. However, there is something lost in any transition. Change can be stressful, even if it is "good" change. Change often means leaving a familiar routine for a brand new one. Questions, doubts and fears may arise. Unresolved feelings connected with your job experiences may surface. Fears about the next steps may come up. You will likely feel more aware of the things you WILL miss, possibly casting doubts about your decisions. Additionally, in the case of changing jobs, you will be ending your current co-worker relationships, and forming new ones with strangers. It is important to keep all of this in mind as you go through any type of transition, and welcome in emotional responses and feelings as they come and go.