Let's change the stigma.

Death. Scary? Only if you make it that way!

I've always had a calm outlook on the way I interacted with death and the dying. Be it animals, family or complete strangers, I've always felt completely at peace. Do you know why? Death isn't something to be afraid of! No seriously... it's not!

I've held many hands & paws and wiped tears for many people and with every person's story I encounter, I feel a sense of peace. Is there emotion? oh let me tell you... if I wasn't emotionally effected by each being I've encountered, I wouldn't be the person I am today. But I don't necessarily look at those alone. I tend to reflect. How did this being change the world around them? Was it negative or positive? What kind of legacy are they "leaving" behind? I've come to learn that when a being (I say being because I mean animals or people), leaves this life, they go on to a spectacular new world. Spiritual in nature. When our loved ones pass, we immediately feel this raw, uncensored pain that crimples us to our core. But what we have a hard time processing, and sometimes even refuse to acknowledge, is our ability to still speak to the ones we love.

In April, many years ago, my favorite person in the whole world left his physical body due to lung cancer. This man I looked to as a father figure, a best friend, my confidant and one of my soul mates. My Grandpa was unlike any other person I had ever met, and he and I got a long like no body's business. It wasn't until many many years later, while still grieving his loss, did I discover I could still speak with him. I was apprehensive at first... let's be honest.. I was scared shitless. But, I felt a calling. A need. A desire.. to speak to him again. I'd give anything to speak to him again. This is where I met Spirit Medium Michelle Minke. (www.linktr.ee/michelleminke) If you have a moment, check her out.. she is an incredible human being. She is an Opera singer turned Spiritual Medium after the loss of her beloved son who was stillborn. She connected me immediately to my grandpa John, and I have been hooked on spiritual "afterlife" every since.

After researching, and having my own personal experiences with death, I came to discover, it is actually quite a peaceful process, no matter how you end up leaving this earth. In the book by outspoken spirit medium Teresa Caputo "You can't make this up", she comments that her perspective into our souls, is that we choose how we are to leave this earth. We obviously don't have this memory while we are still living, but our soul knows how it will happen. It is something that is pre-determined before we are given our human body. You see, through the research of Dr. Michael Newton in his book "Journey of Souls", I've come to learn, that our souls have several lives we live. Some souls are young, some are more experienced, some have lessons to learn, and some teach the lessons. So when I think about our loved ones passing... they aren't gone forever.. they are simply moving into their souls next journey.

I have found an immense sense of relief in finding my grandfather again after many years of "distance" and confusion in grief. He is now my spirit guide and my benevolent angel who helps me from the spirit world. He is free from his pain, anguish and physical barriers that he had in this world, and he is truly at peace. He guides me in everything I do, without judgement, bias or motive. He is there with my best of intentions at heart. And your loved ones are for you too.

This information can be overwhelming, but is in no sense "scary". It isn't the ghosts and goblins talk from your favorite spooky movie. This has been exaggerated for (as you guessed it, profits). Think of them as your guides, your crew, your support system... and as I've discovered.. your free therapy!!

So let's sit, have a cup of tea or coffee, and discuss death.. open our hearts to new perspectives, and embrace changing the stigma.

End of Life Death Doula, Holly Medina