The power of starting something new

For more than a year I have been parsing through peer reviewed journals, scholarly articles and thoughtfully written books deeply examining grief in young children. This was a function of an analytical review of research I wrote and presented during the final semester of a grad program. I was a teacher and I wanted to learn more about best practice supporting grieving children who may someday be in my classroom. I had no idea this topic choice would change my life's purpose. I've left the classroom to facilitate learning as a writer and speaker. I am now part of a conversation about the work that needs to be done by adults to help grieving children. I've fallen in love with the idea of changing a grieving child's life in this way, and healing the hearts of adults is a grateful dividend. It feels powerful to start something new.

My professional (and rather eclectic) library of grief related material is ever growing. I've accumulated everything from TED Talks and YouTube videos to voraciously scrawled presentation notes, grief themed children's literature, studies reported in scholarly journals, books on brain research and grief support guides. I've only just begun, yet I think there is value in sharing these resources. When something significant to grief support surfaces, I will share it here.    

 I'm calling this blog The Power of Kindness and Support because I think most of us know how to be kind, but many people really don't know how to support. I believe kindness is an innate quality we all possess, and acting (or not) on a kindness instinct defines our level of support. It's not easy to know what to do to help someone in pain. This blog is the space I will use to offer theory so we may practice.

The YouTube video, The Power of Empathy, is one I've watched again and again, shared on Facebook, and made unsuspecting family members view when they think they've stopped to sit down and do something else. Dr. Brene' Brown is a speaker, writer and research professor and teaches about vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. In less than three minutes this short, animated lesson sheds light on the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering. It is with the power of empathy.


Copyright (2014) Suzanne Bayer. All Rights Reserved.