Putting It In Perspective

"And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your heart. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world." --Desiderata

When you've suffered loss and pain in your life (as most people have), it's easy to let yourself feel dismal about our world and future. There are many things about life that are heart wrenching and unfair, and horrible atrocities are committed--one can feel helpless and become quite negative about life. It may not feel this way to you now, but many people suffer through experiences far worse than miscarriage and fertility issues. There are unimaginable hurts that people have endured. It is easier to let oneself slip into feeling powerless,depressed, apathetic, and angry than to slowly pick yourself up and look for the silver lining in painful experiences.

It is difficult to find the upside to negative situations, and seemingly impossible after suffering a miscarriage. That won't stop concerned loved ones from trying to help you find the silver lining. Many women become frustrated with the well-intentioned attempts of others to comfort them with the comments that their previous loss was "meant to be," or "happened for a reason." These statements are probably innocent, but for the woman who has suffered pregnancy loss they have the power to wound deeply. However, part of the process of putting yourself back together involves letting these comments wash over you. You must let these things go and begin to hope again and believe in the world. You may really have to work at finding hope after loss. However, you are pregnant again. There must be some good in this world!

For this week, please fill me with renewed hope about the future. Help me to see the brighter things about life--noticing the beauties in nature, the touch of my partner's hand in mine, and a healthy body that can carry this baby to term. Please help me to release the grief that remains in my heart for my lost baby and for any other previous losses in my life. I want to open my heart and make room for this new baby I am growing inside of me.