Recently, I re-watched a classic film — Dances with Wolves. An epic tale of a soldier on the western frontier of what would become the United States, whose eyes are opened to the destructive nature of colonization. Throughout the story, you watch him set aside stereotypes and prejudices he’d been taught about indigenous tribes, to see them as not only fully human, but more advanced in terms of empathy, collective wisdom and resonance with the land.
As Kevin Costner’s character becomes fully immersed in the Sioux culture, he connects with an incredible woman. Upon their first meeting, she’s so distraught he has to prevent her from ending her own life. She’s in a period of mourning for her husband, who recently died in battle.
As they continue to interact, she slowly comes back to life. Begins to emerge from the depths of her dark, inner world to notice his small kindnesses. Over time, she turns her eyes towards him, glows from within again. Fosters hope for the future, envisions possibilities.
When anyone suffers a loss in their life, we all traverse a similar grief pattern. Whether it’s letting go of a loved one, moving away from a familiar home, your children leaving home, or retiring from a long-term career, you’ll navigate a period of mourning. The foggy space in between is necessary, you must lose yourself in order to be found.
