1. Denial.
2. Anger.
3. Bargaining.
4. Depression.
5. Acceptance.
One year for each! hooah, 5 years of the ridiculous cycle.
I hear a lot of people trying to ignore what they feel. shove it away, not think about it, and pretend it doesn't exist. Why? It's like they're trying to skip the last step... which we can all agree is the most essential.
It makes me think of the line from "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Meg's character is talking to her ex-fiancé, and about how guilty he feels. She begins to tell him that it's OK, she's moved on... then quickly switches gears.
"You know what? Feel guilty. Soak in it till you're fingers get all pruney."
I love that line.
Every new feeling adds a dimension of humanity that is interesting and worthy of investigation.
So what do i feel? what am I soaking in till my fingers get all pruney?
Acceptance.
Because i'm done being mad, sad, in pain, and drained. I'm ready to explore the last step.
"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."
Joseph Campbell