TING SANCTUARY
Ting Sanctuary was created with the mission of providing a healing oasis for those navigating grief and loss. This is your sanctuary. Your sacred place to grieve and heal.
Often, when trying to express or share our sorrow, others will try to problem solve, offer a silver lining, or provide a platitude. While the intention can be from the right space, that approach rarely meets the grievers need. That's why Ting Sanctuary was built - to serve you on your grief journey. Here you can sit with your sorrow without judgement and grieve at your own pace. Here you can pause, reflect, and be fully heard and seen.
I am here as a guide to support, nurture, and encourage you. We will navigate the difficult time you are facing together. You have my compassionate and empathetic ear. I will also teach you skills and techniques to better manage the emotional stress that often accompanies grief.
Grief comes in many forms. My grief coaching is available to anyone grieving a loss - from the death of a loved one, to the loss of a relationship, marriage, job, friendship, pet, or lifestyle (etc). With whatever loss you are facing or grieving, my services are here to provide you with a safe place to process and heal.
WHAT EXACTLY IS TING?
Ting is the word/sound that translates to listening. I lived in China for nearly a decade. I loved learning the language and discovering all the hidden meanings contained in those intricate characters.
The traditional Chinese character for listening includes the different and important elements and critical essentials of genuine listening. Across the top of the character there are the elements of ears (to hear) and eyes (to see). Across the bottom of the character are the elements of the mind (to think) and the heart (to feel).
At the center of the character Ting, holding this all together, is a single stroke. This single stroke represents undivided attention, a critical element of genuine listening.
I truly believe in the transformative power of being seen and heard exactly as you are, without pretense or masks. Life can be messy and grief can be messier. I know it can feel hard to share what feels messy, complicated, and uncomfortable. Grief doesn't go away on it's on and trying to bury it is often a recipe for disaster - contents under pressure tend to explode to a level higher than expected. I created Ting Sanctuary for you to come and be seen and cared for, exactly as you are.
Ting Sanctuary is a place for you to bring your sorrow and to be fully seen and heard. I will listen to you with all my faculties. You will have my undivided attention and my compassionate and empathetic ear as you share your heart with me.
WHAT IS GRIEF?
“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” - Earl Grollman
Grief is a complicated constellation of emotions. Contrary to popular belief, grief is not reserved for death only. Grief accompanies any form of loss. From a physical death to a loss of a relationship, loss of a dream, loss of health (diagnosis of an illness), divorce, infertility, loss of normalcy, loss of job, moving or relocating, loss of financial stability, loss of safety or security, loss of identity, or becoming caretaker for a family member. These are just a few examples. Grief encompasses all the aspects of loss that one might face (there are more than 43 types of loss that can trigger grief)…the common denominator among all types of grief is loss.
Grief is completely normal and natural response to anything or anyone that is taken from us.
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Pretty Much Everything. Grief is Love.
We grieve deeply because we love deeply. It's impossible to grieve something or someone we did not love.
Grief is not just an emotional response, it's also a physical experience. It's not a failure of your inability to get over it, be positive or just "all in your head." A lot of it is in your body. Your beautiful beating heart takes a hit. In fact, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or "Broken Heart Syndrome" is very real. Intense grief can alter the heart muscle so much that it causes the same symptoms as a heart attack. Grief and loss alose affect the brain in many different ways, causing changes in memory, behavior, sleep, and body function, affecting the immune system as well as our beautiful beating hearts. These are just some reasons why self-care is so critical when facing loss.
Love is often the source of grief and it's also the antidote to grief.
“You see, love and grief are two sides of the same precious coin. One does not—and cannot—exist without the other. They are the yin and yang of our lives… Grief is predicated on our capacity to give and receive love...If we allow ourselves the grace that comes with love, however, we must allow ourselves the grace that is required to mourn.” – Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph. D.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
GRIEF CAN BE OVERWHELMING
Grief Coaching Helps
We all have stories to tell. Sometimes a loss can feel so profound and we feel there are no words. Staying silent though can take a heavy emotional toll and is often costly to our lives.
Loss is often accompanied by overwhelming stress, loneliness, and uncertainty. Loss challenges our definition of normalcy and often our very identity. This is why grief can feel threatening. When our old ways of coping may not be working, surviving might feel impossible. That can leave us in a state of desperation, disconnection, confusion, overwhelm, and discomfort.
Mainstream culture is still not totally comfortable with the topic of grief and tends to pathologize or silence it. There's no shame in grieving (though often that unpleasant feeling tends to accompany us in grief). We might refuse to give ourselves permission to grieve or our loss goes unacknowledged (by ourselves or others). This can lead to shame, guilt, and fear which so often leads to isolation and suffering in silence.
It doesn't have to be that way. It's important to hold space and recognize your loss.
You don't have to grieve alone. You will have someone by your side who can light the path through the darkness of grief.
BEARING WITNESS
Cultivating Hope
How does bearing witness benefit an individual? It’s reparative, cathartic, and it helps those in struggle bear what feels unbearable. It’s valuable way to process a difficult experience like loss.
Bearing witness is a sacred act. Sharing your story honors your loss, your love, your courage, and opens a space within you. By opening this space through sharing your loss you create the opportunity for healing & resilience.
I will bear witness to your grief. Together we will strengthen your vulnerability, resilience, and self compassion - crucial companions on your journey with grief. Self-care is also critical.
I became a grief coach to walk alongside others on their grief journey. I will help you to cultivate hope and partner with you to compassionately guide you. I am will be here as a non-judgmental and empathetic listener to support, encourage, equip, and empower you.
If you are grieving or supporting a griever, The Ting Sanctuary is your sacred space to navigate your journey with grief. I am here to help.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please get in touch today. My ears and heart are ready to receive you.
