Weekly Newsletter - Getting Through It, Together
My Dear Friends,
In the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, we are collectively mourning. We share in the heartbreak we are all feeling for the families who have lost a loved one due to this senseless act of violence.
How are you doing? I know I’m experiencing all sorts of emotions: sadness, anger, numbness, and grief.
It doesn’t feel right to send you the typical weekly newsletter, so instead, I wanted to share resources that I’ve come across in trying to process and move forward from this traumatic event.
Coping with Grief & Loss
There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But by understanding the stages and types of grief, you can find healthier ways to cope.
- Acknowledge your pain.
- Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions.
- Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you.
- Seek out face-to-face support from people who care about you.
- Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically.
- Recognize the difference between grief and depression.
Talking to Children
Our School Superintendent shared the following resources for talking to children about what happened.
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting
Talking to Children About Violence
Talking to Children About the Shooting
Yoga for Grief Support
Karla Helbert, the author of the book Yoga for Grief and Loss, has spoken of how yoga can allow us to hold opposing thoughts. It allows you to sit with grief and at the same time create a space where you feel connected to the present.
Yin Yoga for Grief & Sadness - Yoga with Kassandra
Yoga for Grief - Yoga with Adriene
Yoga for Suffering - Yoga with Adriene
How to Help
If/when you come to a space and want to help create change, here are three actionable ways you can help.
- Learn
- Donate
- Pray
Learn
Everytown for Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country and the home of Moms Demand Action, the nation's largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence.
Donate
When you make a grassroots contribution to Moms Demand Action and Everytown, you're helping fuel their volunteer-driven movement for a future free from gun violence. Your generous donation helps them continue critical work to save lives, including:
- Pressuring lawmakers to improve our gun laws
- Raising awareness about gun violence
- Educating the public about common-sense gun laws and responsible gun ownership
- Mobilizing grassroots supporters
- Amplifying the voices of survivors of gun violence
Pray
We implore your divine help, O God, for our nation at this time. We pray that law enforcement officials will have the resources they need to protect, and to remain vigilant. We pray for our legislators to commit to sensible policies and laws regarding the ownership and use of guns, and that they also will provide resources for better mental health diagnosis and treatment. We pray for compassionate and clear leadership to heal our national soul. Amen.
We’re in this together,
Jamie
