“The best way to heal a broken heart is to love something new.” – Shelly Dahl

Renewal

“Our dog, Molly, died about three weeks ago. And I just about crawled in the grave with her.” Shelly Dahl said.  Then, without a hitch, she continued.  “But alas, the best way to heal a broken heart is to love something new.”  And, she sent me a photo of her two-days-ago something new.

“She’s the same kind of dog as Molly and oh so sweet.”  Shelly mooned.  “We named her Maggie.”  The two of them have coalesced to renewed Shelly’s broken heart.

There are many ways in which a person’s heart can be broken.  In fact, there are seemingly an infinite number of ways, over a lifetime, in which to become troubled in both spirit and heart. And, here are a few things that Shelly, over the course of our long association, has taught me about how to seek and receive relief by dynamically seeking renewal.

First, recognize that life is characterized by constant change.  This change can come in many forms; activity, progress, decline, etc.  Living is synonymous with change.  There is no way to avoid it.  And through it all, I’ve watched Shelly and her family focus on looking forward by planning, as best they can, for events they’re able to anticipate.

Second, it’s impossible to anticipate every change that can affect your life.  Sometimes events can seemingly come as a complete surprise.  There is no way to fully anticipate some life-events.  This kind of thing has beset the Dahls on several occasions while I’ve known them.  During such times they’ve always slowed down, gathered information and then spent essential time to plan a new pathway forward.  There have been times when this process has taken them a great deal more time than anticipated.  That’s an oft used portrayal of time.

Third, understand the nature of time.  Time is more than a unit of measurement.  It’s also a tool, an apparatus, used to require persistent change.  When understood and used as such, time will always open a path for a person to become unstuck, to leave painful moments behind.  And, wielding it so is always a personal choice; such as welcoming in a means to heal a broken heart by offering love to someone or something new, while still holding love in your heart for someone or something that has passed.

Finally, allow your heart to hold on to your Mollies while letting the trivial and invaluable to flitter away vis-a-vis the relentless flight of time.

“Our dog, Molly, died about three weeks ago. And I just about crawled in the grave with her.” Shelly said.  Then she continued.  “But alas, the best way to heal a broken heart is to love something new.”  And, she sent me a photo of her two-days-ago something new.

“She’s is the same kind of dog as Molly and oh so sweet.”  Shelly mooned.  “We named her Maggie.”  And, Maggie has indeed renewed Shelly’s broken heart, in a way that personifies the marvel and possibility of renewal, which is available to all.

May we all find our Maggie when we need them!