Grief Recovery:  Progressive

Written by Patricia D.  Freudenberg 

Progressive, such a small word with such tremendous depth. It’s the word that carries us forward, whether we’re walking into the first day of school, chasing a lifelong dream, or learning to live again after loss.

When death strikes, life doesn’t stop, though sometimes it feels like it should. The world keeps spinning, the days keep moving, and yet grief can feel like quicksand. It pulls at your ankles, whispering reasons to stay still, but progression is the rope you can reach for, one steady pull, one breath at a time.

It’s okay to pause. It’s necessary, even sacred, to rest in the stillness. But while you’re there, sketch a small vision, a goal, a dream, a hobby, something that gives your tomorrow a reason to meet you halfway.

Because grief, if left unchecked, is a thief. It can steal your joy, your focus, and your sense of purpose. Yet in the same way, progress, even the smallest act of moving forward, can restore your power.

Redirect your focus toward what’s within reach, even if it’s an arm’s length away. The moment you do, you loosen the chains of sorrow and step toward the freedom of legacy, the life you’re still meant to live, the life to be remembered.

My focus has always been legacy, not only remembering those we’ve lost, but carrying our own forward. Today, let progressive be your compass word. It will set you free, and who knows, the surprise of life might just become the greatest gift of all.

Reflection

What’s one small step, even the tiniest act, that could move you toward something meaningful today?

Quote of the Day

“Progress is not about perfection, it’s about participation in life after loss.” – Patricia D. Freudenberg

Book Recommendation

Live Your Legacy: A New Spin on Mourning
A guide to transforming grief into growth, and rediscovering purpose through the power of legacy.
 

Available now on Amazon 

Closing Thoughts

Whether we like it or not, time and days are progressive. They move with or without our permission. The sunrise doesn’t wait for readiness, and the seasons don’t pause for sorrow. Yet within that steady rhythm lies our invitation to join the current of life again.

Progress doesn’t always look like triumph. Sometimes it’s as simple as getting out of bed, making a meal, or speaking their name without breaking. Each act, however small, is proof that love still lives in you, and that you are still becoming.

So today, honor both your stillness and your movement. Let time be your ally, not your enemy. For as surely as the days pass, so too will the pain, and what remains will be legacy, your love, still progressing forward.

© 2025 Patricia D. Freudenberg, Grief Recovery Consultant
All Rights Reserved.