By Dr. Ted Wiard
Golden Willow Retreat

Editors Note: This is part of an ongoing series of columns by grief specialist Dr. Ted Wiard, dedicated to helping educate the community about emotional healing.

The focus continues to be on the present issue of COVID-19 and how this has impacted the entire world.

COVID-19 has incited most of the world to take a pause and step out of the everyday norms of activities, thought processes, societal and family systems, as more deep rooted problematic issues have been unveiled to more and more people.

So many societal problems have been pushed down into the core of society, similar to a geological correlation, these hot issues have been boiling right under the crust as the COVID-19 pandemic has adding more pressure to the current situation, and exposing fissures within the structure.

With the death of George Floyd, the ignored lava pool of societal issues has awakened the consciousness of most people. This pool includes racism, supremacy, sexism, mental health, unhealthy political systems, addiction, healthcare, lack of opportunity for all, greed and gluttony, and any other areas that cause separation, fear and disempowerment.

Presently, there is loss on top of loss and grief on top of grief, this compounded and complicated emotional issue has caused high levels of fear which can cause a feeling to fight or freeze. During this pandemic, crisis fear has increased as a societal collective, all of these issues are being examined as they are right in the face of all of us. One acronym of FEAR is: Face Everything And Recover, while another acronym for FEAR is: Fake Everything And Run.

In this time of crisis there is the opportunity to face all of these issues and recover from areas of society that have undermined the core of humanity. If people choose to pretend these issues do not exist, the emotional lava of compounded and complicated grief will continue to burn through the fabric of society. As the societal volcano is erupting, there is no time for having knowledge silos and pretending that nothing is wrong, while not contributing the wisdom each person brings to the table.

With a collective effort, gleaning the collective assets from all, society can heal, grow, evolve and have a future that actually supports each person while offering the opportunity to reach their potential, but not at the expense of another.

Our world has been forced to look at many strengths and weaknesses within systems and beliefs this year and in this discomfort, there is great opportunity to come together and build on strengths, while strengthening weaknesses. As healthy communication happens, fear can decrease which will allow violence to decrease. Healthy protest is part of the grieving process and allows for growth, while violence leads to more fear and separation, as well as a distraction from healing.

True transformation and healing always starts by cleaning the wound, giving light and care to decrease bacteria and infection in order to form a scar of wisdom that can lead to growth and healing emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually as an individual, family, and the collective of humanity. I wish you well, and until the next article, take care.

Golden Willow Retreat is a nonprofit organization focused on emotional healing and recovery from any type of loss. Direct questions to Dr. Ted Wiard, EdD, LPCC, CGC, Founder of Golden Willow Retreat GWR@newmex.com or call at 575.776.2024.