Grief, Gratitude, and Gut Healing: Finding Strength in the Wake of Hurricane Helene
Helene came into our lives abruptly.
Deaths of family and friends, physical destruction, toxic mud, emotional trauma, expired food, and psychological turmoil. It’s a slow and challenging process of rebuilding.
Grief as a Pathway to Gratitude and Strength
Grief is often seen as something to endure or get through, but it can also be a gateway to deeper gratitude and joy. Malidoma Somé, a West African elder and author, speaks of grief as a form of initiation, a passageway transforming individuals and communities. Grief is not a sign of weakness but a natural response to life’s inevitable losses. Somé teaches that embracing grief fully creates space for new life and genuine joy.
Similarly, Bayo Akomolafe, a Nigerian philosopher, encourages us to "slow down" in the face of grief and crisis, reminding us that grief is not a burden to be rushed through but a companion to be met with respect and curiosity. He often says, "The times are urgent, let us slow down," urging us to sit with grief long enough to allow it to transform us, to create a pathway for something new to be born.
Martin Prechtel, another spiritual teacher, emphasizes the importance of grief in cultural and spiritual renewal. He writes, "Grief and praise go hand in hand," reminding us that we cannot fully experience joy and gratitude without first acknowledging our grief. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our collective grief may feel overwhelming. Still, by embracing it, we are honoring what we’ve lost while making space for renewal, strength, and gratitude to enter our lives.
Gut Healing and the Connection Between Body and Emotion
For many, traumatic events like Hurricane Helene bring not only emotional turmoil but also physical stress. This connection between the emotional and physical body was something I experienced in my 20s when I struggled with acid reflux and GERD. At the time, I thought my issues were purely physical, but as I began to explore deeper emotional connections, I realized that my gut health was intimately tied to unresolved emotional pain and stress.
It was through the work of people like Dr. Zach Bush, a renowned expert in gut health, that I began to understand the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional layers of healing. Bush emphasizes the role of the microbiome in emotional well-being, and how gut health directly influences our capacity to process trauma, stress, and grief. When we heal the gut, we also open up pathways for emotional resilience and strength. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many may experience disruptions within their gut and digestion. Appalachians faced the difficult decisions of eating expired food, choosing to eat free food that hadn’t been stored properly, eating unhealthy food that one otherwise wouldn’t eat, etc…
A compromised gut challenges our “gut feelings.”
A compromised gut may feel like:
Nausea
Bloating
Excessive & loud gas
Chest pain
Difficulty swallowing
Churning
Pain in the lower abdomen
Feeling irritable
Constipation
Feeling exhausted
Acid Reflux
GERD
Skin problems like Acne, Eczema, or Psoriasis
Brain fog
Bad breath
and more…
Gut issues can arise from the stress of loss, uncertainty, and trauma. Addressing gut health—through diet, lifestyle changes, and even emotional healing—can be a crucial part of finding strength and balance in this unprecedented time.
Embracing Professional Support and Community Healing
Grief can be a powerful force for transformation, but it doesn’t have to be carried alone. Grief is best processed in the company of others. Trauma support from professionals, grief gatherings, therapy, and bodywork all play essential roles in helping us navigate through this difficult terrain.
Gathering in community to grieve, much like the traditional practices taught by Malidoma Somé, allows us to share the weight of our sorrows and find solace in collective healing. Bodywork, such as massage therapy or somatic experiencing, can help release stored grief in the body. In contrast, talk therapy and coaching offer the tools to process emotional pain and find a path forward.
It's also essential to lean on trauma-informed professionals who understand the multifaceted nature of grief. Whether it’s through one-on-one counseling, group grief gatherings, or holistic modalities like acupuncture and yoga, there are many ways to support your mind, body, and spirit as you navigate this time of loss.
Gratitude and Joy Through Grief
It may seem counterintuitive, but when fully embraced, grief can give birth to gratitude and joy. The act of grieving brings us face-to-face with life’s fragility, and in that moment of vulnerability, we can begin to appreciate the small joys still present. The people who have stepped up to help, the kindness of strangers, and the simple beauty of a sunset after the storm—these moments of gratitude come more deeply when we allow ourselves to truly grieve.
Gratitude, much like joy, is born from an understanding that life’s losses do not diminish its value. Rather, they deepen our connection to what remains. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, as we grieve what is lost, we can also begin to cultivate a sense of gratitude for what remains and what is still possible.
Moving Forward Together
As we rebuild our lives, homes, and communities, it’s crucial to remember that healing is not just about the external structures we replace. Healing happens in our hearts, our minds, and even in our bodies. By acknowledging the deep grief we are all carrying, by paying attention to our physical well-being, and by coming together as a community, we can find the strength to move forward, not just as individuals but as a collective.
This is a time to embrace the fullness of life—grief, gratitude, gut healing, and all—and find strength in each other as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Together, we can heal not only from the destruction of the storm but from the deeper wounds that life inevitably brings.
Let’s continue to grieve, heal, and rebuild—one step, one breath, one act of gratitude at a time.
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