Once Upon a Soul: Now and Ever After

There is a part of us that exists beyond the tangible world, beyond what we can touch, see, or measure—a part we often call the soul. While we may not fully understand it, we sense it. It’s what makes the heart beat, what lifts us beyond mere survival, and what seems to endure when words and facts fall short. Science even tells us that energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed, reminding us that while the soul remains a mystery, it is deeply embedded in the fabric of existence. And perhaps in allowing ourselves to wonder, we can bring our spirits a sense of peace and delight.

Imagining the journey of the soul can be a powerful act, especially as we navigate loss. We grieve because we love, and when we lose someone we love, our inner world changes. Grief, the deep ache of loss, is natural and necessary. But mourning—the actions we take in response to that grief—gives our emotions a voice and an outlet. Mourning is a photograph shared, a candle lit, a flower placed at a grave. Through these actions, we honor what words cannot express. Grief is the intangible feeling; mourning, the tangible act.

As we move through this process, we can invite our imagination to help us. When we view the soul not just as a part of someone we loved but as a mystery that continues, our mourning can evolve into acts that celebrate the presence of that person’s spirit in our lives. By choosing to celebrate them, we breathe new energy into our relationship with them, even after they have transitioned from the physical world. As an end-of-life coach, I help others reach this place—this seventh stage of grief, which I call legacy.

Legacy is where we transform our grief into something greater. We can create a legacy for our loved ones, not just in the ways we remember them but in how we carry forward their values and influence. We can build a legacy within ourselves as well, reshaping our lives with their memory as a guiding star. Through our acts of mourning, we can honor them in a way that speaks to both the now and the ever after.

So, let us embrace the mystery of the soul, finding peace in its eternal nature. In doing so, we can transform grief into a celebration of life, filling our spirits with gratitude and joy even amidst loss. Our souls are bound to the people we love, and that connection, once made, endures. We may not understand the journey of the soul fully, but we can cherish the legacy we create, knowing it bridges the seen and the unseen—now and ever after.

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