Series: Living a Life to Be Remembered By Patricia D. Freudenberg, Certified End-of-Life Coach
Grief is one of the harshest experiences the human spirit can endure. It is often described as the lowest vibrational state a person can feel—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and even physically. In that moment of deep sorrow, when it feels like you’ve hit rock bottom, how can peace even be within reach?
Let’s explore the notion of “peace at an arm’s length.”
This metaphor represents your personal boundary, your emotional bubble, and your energetic space—a sacred space that protects your inner state, especially in times of grief. When everything around you feels chaotic or emotionally unsettled, having the ability to maintain peace—even just within an arm’s reach—is both a practice and a powerful tool in recovery.
So where does this peace come from?
The answer is appreciation.
Appreciation is often overlooked, yet it is one of the highest vibrations a human being can experience. According to research from Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), cultivating appreciation and gratitude can lead to long-term well-being, emotional resilience, and increased connection with meaning and purpose.
Appreciation, in this context, means honoring not only the lives and legacies of those who have transitioned into the afterlife—but also honoring the simple fact that you are still here. You are still in the land of the living. And that awareness itself is a miracle.
Appreciation is a sibling to joy, happiness, and love. But unlike those more expressive emotions, appreciation can be quiet. It can be as subtle as noticing the sunlight, the sound of a loved one’s voice, or the ability to breathe deeply despite the pain.
And when others around you aren’t in the same emotional place, that’s okay—even if it’s not okay. Not everyone will be able to hold peace the way you do. That’s why it’s important to maintain your arm’s-length boundary—a reminder that you can still keep your peace, regardless of external noise, grief triggers, or emotional turbulence.
You are not alone. Peace may feel distant, but it is never out of reach. You can walk forward. You can heal. And you can live a life that honors both your pain and your purpose.
Book Recommendation Live Your Legacy: A New Spin on Mourning By Patricia D. Freudenberg This easy-to-digest guidebook offers a new lens for navigating grief—introducing a seventh step to the process of mourning: Legacy. Includes reflection pages and practical tools for emotional recovery.
Available on Amazon⬇️
Prompt for Reflection: Where in your life can you bring in a sense of appreciation today—no matter how small? Write down one thing you’re grateful for that you might have overlooked. How does that awareness shift your energy?
Copyright © Patricia D. Freudenberg Certified End-of-Life Coach | CEO of Miss-U-Gram All rights reserved. http://www.miss-u-gram.com
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