Be gentle, everyone is at war

Summary

The text discusses the ubiquity of grief as an inherent part of the human experience, emphasizing the importance of empathy and support towards those who are grieving, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic and recent events such as the protests in Nigeria.

Abstract

The article titled "Be Gentle, Everyone Is At War" delves into the multifaceted nature of grief, acknowledging that it is an inevitable aspect of life that affects individuals in varying ways and at different times. It highlights that grief extends beyond the realm of death, particularly noting the exacerbation of loss during the pandemic and the Nigerian protests. The author reflects on the subjective nature of grief and the diverse ways in which people process their sorrow, suggesting that there is no right way to grieve. Instead, the piece serves as a poignant reminder to show kindness, offer support, and provide solace to those who are grappling with loss, regardless of whether we can personally relate to their pain.

Opinions

The author believes that grief is a universal and continuous human experience, not confined to personal encounters.
Loss is recognized as a shaping force in people's lives, influencing their development and reactions to circumstances.
The author challenges the notion of a collective or uniform reaction to loss, asserting that the process of grieving is deeply individualistic.
Empathy and compassion are championed as essential responses to those who are grieving, even when it is difficult to comprehend their sorrow.
The text underscores the importance of being present and supportive for those within one's circle who are experiencing grief, likening it to saving them from perilous situations.

For as many that grief

As old as time and man himself, GRIEF has been an unmistakable component of our existence. At different points in our life experience, we are confronted with different degrees of loss. Some are exposed to loss early in life, this loss inevitably shapes them while others encounter losses at latter stages of life. Loss is assuredly not a novel concept to us.

In prior years, man has experienced loss both individually and collectively. Though Death can be regarded as the most prominent form, the loss comes in other forms. With the ongoing pandemic situation and more recent protests in Nigeria, deaths have certainly skyrocketed though, not all might be as a result. I am awakened to the belief that grief is experienced in every waking moment, it just may not be happening to you. The same way the sun sets only to rise in another hemisphere, same way grief exists. The fact it doesn’t shine on you currently doesn’t negate its existence.

Just as we aren’t conditioned to react to similar conditions the same way, people grieve differently. Sometimes, it might even seem like one doesn’t know how to grief but, does anyone really know how? I’m not here to give a guide on how to grief but to remind us to be gentle and accommodating to those that grief. To offer words of encouragement and show empathy and support even if we do not feel what they feel. I’m here to remind us to offer prayers for the peace and calm of anyone that might be experiencing a moment of grief. If they are in your circle, be there, to drag them out of grief-induced fires and deathly cold oceans that might call to them.