The Gift Of Levity And Love During Times Of Trauma

The happy notes on the piano echoed strangely throughout the church. Each note rang strongly, quickly, and lightly.

It was the last song my little sister had been practicing as part of her Suzuki piano method before she’d passed, many years ago. And, her piano teacher was playing it at her funeral to honor her.

At first, people were uneasy with the lightness of the selected song. Some laughed, uneasily. Being much younger, I thought it was an odd choice of music, myself.

However, looking back on it now, I’m glad that her piano teacher shared that song with us.

Why shouldn’t a happy song be played during an otherwise somber event? After all, this should be a celebration of her life, despite the deep grief we all felt.

The gift of levity and love during times of trauma is a welcome one. In this instance, it connected us all to the love my sister had for her music.

* * * * *

Years later, I was one of many at Union Square Park in New York City, collectively grieving and being present for each other. It was just days after 9/11, and the Twin Towers had just fallen.

We all quietly gathered with lit candles in hand, reading the numerous plastered “Missing” flyers of countless people still yet to be found, and reading notes, pieces of street art, and the like that expressed grief, outrage, and a search for answers.

Musicians gathered in the front of the park, and everyone could hear them play songs that one would say is soothing, or even calming.

All of a sudden, they burst out into playing, “When The Saints Go Marching In”, with trumpets blaring like a New Orleans funeral march.

At first some people who’d gathered were like, “What the…?”

But, soon, people grabbed onto the levity of the song. Some even sang along. Others danced. It became a welcome break from the pain everyone was feeling. It was… healing.

And, it was a brief break. Since, soon after, three fighter jets roared through the sky, cutting through the music, and reminding us that our wounds would take some time to heal.

* * * * *

The weekend before Superstorm Sandy hit the New York Metro Area, I did a training with Acupuncturists Without Borders, to learn how to provide healing relief to communities during times of trauma, and get some needed continuing education credits.

Little did we know that the weekend would be preparing us to serve pop up clinics to our communities days later!

During the class, one of the teachers talked about the importance of taking time to enjoy, connect, and laugh during these times of trauma.

She mentioned that, while on an acupuncture service relief project in Haiti after the earthquake, she and some of those in the community sat together after a long day, shared some long conversations, and laughed together.

At first, she felt self-conscious about laughing, when the situation was so dire, and so many loved ones had been lost. However, it had become evident that the laughter was the very medicine everyone needed to connect, help heal the heaviness they’d all felt in their hearts, and to serve again the next day.

It is not a crime to laugh, love, and connect during, or after, great loss. In fact, it is a healing salve for the soul. (click to tweet)

* * * * *

Our world is swirling with energies that are heightened, dense, and oftentimes painful.

When a patient comes into my office to receive a healing Acupuncture or Reiki treatment, sometimes the healing takes the form of denser vibration and energy rising up from the depths of their spirit, up to the surface, to be healed.

Usually, the denser vibration is an old pattern that no longer serves them. And, they are fed up with the cycle of pain they keep looping through due to perpetuating it. When it’s released, it looks like: getting in touch with rage, sadness, or grief previously suppressed. The release may even take them by surprise.

The microcosm of the body reflects the microcosm of the collective consciousness. We are all connected, and what we do affects others.

It is our duty to own the impact of our actions during these times of trauma, to make room for our feelings, and allow the impact of the intensity to pass through and subside, giving us a clarity towards next steps.

Because even though trauma may not necessarily be erasable, our constant choice of choosing love will be our saving grace, and keep us from becoming bitter, angry, hollow, and the very thing we fear and resent.

Just a loving reminder and invitation to you all, to rise above the sheepish hate.

We are all blessed, singular, individual, yet connected, souls of light.

Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of their inner light and capacity to love, despite challenging pain.

It is your responsibility to get in touch with yours, so you can be a light for others.

When has being in touch with your light and love been a benefit for yourself and others?
What intense emotions were you able to move through because you were in touch with who you are?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments, below!

With love,

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