The Flush

A Grief Recovery Newsletter written by Patricia D. Freudenberg

The Flush Is Not What You Think

We’ve all heard the term “flush it out,” often in a physical context, from flushing out IV ports in hospitals, to clearing dust from your eyes, or even the toilet. But today, I invite you to think deeper.

“The Flush” is more than just a physical act. It is a sacred, symbolic, and even spiritual experience of cleansing, renewal, and rebirth, especially powerful in the journey of grief recovery.

Whether it’s medical, emotional, or spiritual, like the ritual of baptism, the flush is a metaphor for clearing out what no longer serves us and making space for restoration. And water, our most life-giving and cleansing element, is the key.

Water, The Original Healer

Water is the one element that universally cleanses. It moves, it flows, it adapts, and it transforms.

Even on a biological level, simply running your hands under warm water can soothe your nervous system and shift your emotional state. This is not just comforting, it’s scientific.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, a renowned cell biologist, has studied epigenetics, the science of how our environment and beliefs influence gene expression. He teaches that what we think and feel can change us at a cellular level.

Dr. Joe Dispenza, a leading voice in neuroplasticity, shows us that our brains can be rewired through conscious repetition. When we use routines like meditation or even intentional bathing, we’re forming new neural pathways toward healing.

So, water is not just symbolic, it is a catalyst, a tangible, physical anchor for our internal healing.

The Spiritual Flush, Meeting Mind with Heart

In my grief consulting practice, I often guide clients to notice the space between their mind and their heart.

Your mind tells your body what to do

Your heart holds your spirit

When you take an intentional physical action, like running water over your hands or taking a mindful shower, you create a momentary meeting of the physical and spiritual. That’s the spiritual flush.

It’s subtle but profound. A biological act triggering a spiritual awareness. It’s not about religion, it’s about presence. Even if fleeting, that pause renews you. And when repeated, it restores you.

Routines of Renewal, From Survival to Legacy

When grief is close, especially the loss of someone present in your everyday life, it can feel like part of you is gone too. Acceptance, while important, isn’t the end.

David Kessler expanded the stages of grief to include Finding Meaning

I offer a seventh, Legacy, what I call the light at the end of the tunnel

The flush becomes your entry point into that legacy. Each mindful wash, each sacred sip of water, each intentional breath is a reminder, You’re still here.

And more than surviving, you can start anew. You can carry forward their memory while also reawakening your own.

Quote of the Day

“Sometimes, all it takes is a single drop of awareness to begin a flush for healing.”
— Patricia D. Freudenberg

Prompt for Reflection

Next time you’re near water, washing dishes, filling your tea cup, or bathing, pause and ask:

What do I want to release?

What no longer serves me?

What do I want to make space for?

Can I allow myself a moment of renewal?

Even one breath of awareness can begin your flush.

Closing Thoughts

In the quiet moments of your grief, know that healing doesn’t always arrive as a thunderclap. It often begins as a ripple. Whether it’s the warmth of running water or the stillness of a deep breath, the flush is your invitation to let go, little by little.

It’s not about erasing pain. It’s about making space for peace, meaning, and legacy. The practice is simple, but the impact is sacred. As you move through your day, may you find gentle ways to reconnect with your spirit and remember, even the smallest act of cleansing can bring profound restoration.

Suggested Resources

Dr. Bruce Lipton is best known for his groundbreaking work on epigenetics. In his book The Biology of Belief, he explains how our thoughts, beliefs, and environment can activate or suppress the expression of our genes. His research supports the idea that emotional and environmental awareness—like mindfulness during water-based self-care—can have measurable biological effects.

Learn more about epigenetics through Dr. Bruce Lipton’s The Biology of Belief

Dr. Joe Dispenza, through his books like Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself and Becoming Supernatural, focuses on the neuroplasticity of the brain and how mental and emotional habits shape our biology. His meditative techniques emphasize the power of repeated intention to rewire the brain, shift energy, and even influence healing on a cellular level.

 Explore Becoming Supernatural   How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon with Dr. Joe Dispenza

Their collective research underscores the power of conscious awareness and intentional routines, both of which are central to the idea of “The Flush” as a physical and spiritual reset.

© Patricia D. Freudenberg, Miss-U-Gram®
Certified End-of-Life Consultant, Founder and CEO
http://www.Miss-U-Gram.com
All Rights Reserved.