Friday, August 9, 2013

On Closure

I recently read an interview with Frank Ochberg, a pioneer in trauma treatment. He was asked the question, “Is there such a thing as closure? Does grieving ever end?

His answer:

Closure is a bad word, overused five or 10 years ago, and people in my world are not using it anymore, because it falsely implies an end to something that doesn't end. You don’t get closure on trauma, tragedy, the impact of human cruelty, but you do grow, you do get sadder and wiser and you do, more often than not, get the opportunity to help fellow travelers. Closure is a myth, but progress is not.


Wow, does this resonate with me!

To read another great interview with him discussing PTSD go here


10 comments:

  1. What I love most about this is you "get the opportunity to help travelers." To be able to turn tragedy into compassion is a gift. And you have certainly used your opportunities well.

    Wishing you peace, 8thday.

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    1. I love wishes for peace, thank you!

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  2. Kind of sad but I feel it's truth.

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    1. I feel the same way. But I think I have FINALLY come to a point of acceptance.

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  3. Wow. How very, very real his perspective feels.

    Interesting that this quote pretty much parallels what the Tarot reader told you in New Orleans. Right on the money, eh?

    Have a lovely weekend, 8!

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    1. I thought the same thing about the Tarot reader. Freaky huh? And while I agree with the goal (of teaching) I am still trying to figure out what I know that may be worth passing on, and how best to help others. Life . . . it is a process : )

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  4. Closure is a myth, but progress is not. Words to grow on.

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    1. I so agree. Always trying to progress in the right direction . . .

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  5. Thanks for the quote and the link - lots of great stuff there.

    - Michele

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    1. Your welcome. Yes, I think I'd like to read more of this guy's stuff.

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