The root of anger in grief and beyond. Also: The Full Catastrophe is here, and with it, so many opportunities for real conversations about belonging, uncertainty, grief, and joy.
No! It's basically a takeaway from A Course in Miracles (and so many other spiritual schools of thought), that we're always operating out of one or the other. I carry it with me always. 🩷
Wow, Casey -- you and your brilliant book have really been making the rounds! So great that you and it are getting out into the world. This quote from your post is really intriguing to me: "Anger is a reactive emotion. When it shows up, get curious about what it is reacting to.” I shall be pondering that...
Thanks, Amanda! I can't recommend Meghan's book enough. It's readable in small chunks and even for someone not actively grieving (though aren't we all grieving something all the time?) it's such a window into what's happening in our brains and bodies when grief shows up.
Love this post, Casey. I often have to be reminded that my anger is a symptom of something deeper, and I haven't experienced nearly as much grief as you. You're a beacon of hope!
Aw, thanks, Leanne, and for taking the time to comment. Grief is all around us, isn't it, whether it's due to death or so many other things we experience as losses. I love spreading hope, one person at a time. 🩷
You’re doing such important work, Casey. As someone who guides the grieving I love connecting with fellow soul-doulas and I feel your loving compassion for the work 💜
So much great news and wisdom in this, Casey. Will you tell us in your next newsletter the difference between feelings and emotions? I use the words interchangeably. Also, I love Internal Family Systems theory, which I learned about from another writer. It explains why sometimes I can't clearly articulate my thoughts--because part of me feels one way and a another part feels a different way! I'm not sure what my parts think about fear underlying anger. It's good food for thought. BTW- your News of the Day section is amazing!
Thanks, Karen! In Can Anyone Tell Me? Meghan Riordan Jarvis explains the difference between emotions and feelings this way:
"Emotions are unconscious currents of energy that pulse through the body hundreds of times over the course of a day... [while] feelings are conscious and are typically made up of emotions that have collected over time...We are aware of feelings because they are constructed of thoughts about our emotions."
I authored a poetry collection, Broom of Anger, which takes its title from Zora Neale Hurston, who said to “grab the broom of anger to drive off the beast of fear.” Anger is wisdom. It’s a forgotten voice, telling us something we’ve forgotten we know.
Thank you, Casey, I heard your interview with Ronit on her Let's Talk Memoir podcast and signed up for your Substack. Grief is something none of us is exempt from and because of my personal experiences, fascinated by how it is ( or is not) handled. Your memoir is on my list "to read". Thank you for the suggestion of Meghan's book as my best friend just lost her 32-year-old son and I struggle with what is the best way to offer her support in the present moment.
Thanks, Casey!
PS: Would you please remind me about the quote (6 words long) about love and fear?
Everything that isn’t love is fear. 🩷
I shall be quoting this! Is it YOURS?
No! It's basically a takeaway from A Course in Miracles (and so many other spiritual schools of thought), that we're always operating out of one or the other. I carry it with me always. 🩷
So many great book events for your memoir!! ❤️
Adirondacks tomorrow!
Wow, Casey -- you and your brilliant book have really been making the rounds! So great that you and it are getting out into the world. This quote from your post is really intriguing to me: "Anger is a reactive emotion. When it shows up, get curious about what it is reacting to.” I shall be pondering that...
Thanks, Amanda! I can't recommend Meghan's book enough. It's readable in small chunks and even for someone not actively grieving (though aren't we all grieving something all the time?) it's such a window into what's happening in our brains and bodies when grief shows up.
Love this post, Casey. I often have to be reminded that my anger is a symptom of something deeper, and I haven't experienced nearly as much grief as you. You're a beacon of hope!
Aw, thanks, Leanne, and for taking the time to comment. Grief is all around us, isn't it, whether it's due to death or so many other things we experience as losses. I love spreading hope, one person at a time. 🩷
You’re doing such important work, Casey. As someone who guides the grieving I love connecting with fellow soul-doulas and I feel your loving compassion for the work 💜
Uma, this is so meaningful for me given the work you do. So happy to be connected to another soulmate. 🩷
So much great news and wisdom in this, Casey. Will you tell us in your next newsletter the difference between feelings and emotions? I use the words interchangeably. Also, I love Internal Family Systems theory, which I learned about from another writer. It explains why sometimes I can't clearly articulate my thoughts--because part of me feels one way and a another part feels a different way! I'm not sure what my parts think about fear underlying anger. It's good food for thought. BTW- your News of the Day section is amazing!
Thanks, Karen! In Can Anyone Tell Me? Meghan Riordan Jarvis explains the difference between emotions and feelings this way:
"Emotions are unconscious currents of energy that pulse through the body hundreds of times over the course of a day... [while] feelings are conscious and are typically made up of emotions that have collected over time...We are aware of feelings because they are constructed of thoughts about our emotions."
Can't recommend this book enough!
I authored a poetry collection, Broom of Anger, which takes its title from Zora Neale Hurston, who said to “grab the broom of anger to drive off the beast of fear.” Anger is wisdom. It’s a forgotten voice, telling us something we’ve forgotten we know.
Thank you, Casey, I heard your interview with Ronit on her Let's Talk Memoir podcast and signed up for your Substack. Grief is something none of us is exempt from and because of my personal experiences, fascinated by how it is ( or is not) handled. Your memoir is on my list "to read". Thank you for the suggestion of Meghan's book as my best friend just lost her 32-year-old son and I struggle with what is the best way to offer her support in the present moment.