In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Patricia shares the first part of a two-part series on rising after loss, with an emphasis on grief, suicide, and emotional healing. Through a vulnerable recounting of her own experience losing a close friend to suicide, Patricia explores how emotional pain, when faced and processed, can lead to profound personal transformation. This episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder that from our darkest moments, we can rise—stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. 💬 "Our darkest times can be our greatest teachers and motivators." ________________________________________ Trigger Warning This episode discusses grief, trauma, and suicide. Please listen only if you feel emotionally safe to do so. Resources for support are included below. ________________________________________ Key Takeaways We Can Rise From Pain Healing is a conscious process, not a passive one. Pain avoided becomes pain prolonged; pain processed becomes transformation. "We may fall or fail, but these experiences define a life—they do not define us." ________________________________________ Grief and Loss Are Unique Journeys Based on the Kübler-Ross 5 Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. These are not linear, nor the same for everyone. They are an emotional guide, not a rule. “The brain tries to protect us, but sometimes it traps us in past pain.” ________________________________________ The Power of Meditation and Reconnection Healing began through meditation at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Introduced the concept of a “diamond within”—our inner light muddied by life’s burdens. Brahma Kumaris UK https://www.brahmakumaris.com/ ________________________________________ Positive Intelligence & Mental Fitness Positive Intelligence (PQ) teaches us to recognize Saboteur voices vs. the inner Sage (the diamond). The Saboteurs see everything as bad and it will never be good. The Sage sees challenges and even our darkest moments with a gift or opportunity within. “The question: Which is true? The answer: Whatever you believe is true—for you.” Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine https://www.positiveintelligence.com/ ________________________________________ Suicide Prevention & Awareness Honouring Patricia’s friend’s memory, she shares some charities she supports for suicide prevention: Charities Mentioned: 🇮🇪 HUGG Ireland – Support after suicide loss 🔗 https://hugg.ie/about-us/ 🇮🇪 Pieta House – Suicide and self-harm prevention 🔗 https://www.pieta.ie/about/ 🇬🇧 Silence of Suicide (SOS) – Breaking stigma around suicide 🔗 https://sossilenceofsuicide.org/about-us/ 🌻 The OLLIE Foundation – Youth suicide prevention 🔗 https://theolliefoundation.org/ ________________________________________ Mental Health Insight: Post-Traumatic Growth 2023 Collective Trauma Conference Patricia first heard the phrase Post Traumatic Growth The concept that growth can follow trauma—emotionally, spiritually, even socially. "Not just healing—but rising. That’s what post-traumatic growth means." ________________________________________ Quote Spotlight “Trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens inside us as a result of what happens to us.” – Dr. Gabor Maté “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” – Robin Williams ________________________________________ Support Resources BACP Therapist Directory https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/home/ UKCP Register https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/our-register/ Counselling Directory UK https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ Mental Health Ireland https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/ MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/ ________________________________________ Closing Reflection This episode is a tribute to those lost too soon, we remember you and we rise in your name, and also a reminder to anyone struggling: you are not alone. You can heal. You can rise.