Thoughts and Feelings Keeping You Stuck in Grief
In this episode, Rosalyn Rourke, MSW, shares her profound story of grief transformation. After over 30 years as a psychotherapist, Rosalyn was enjoying a predictable and happy retirement when her life was irrevocably changed by the unexpected death of her 39-year-old daughter, Melissa.
Rosalyn begins the episode with a short, thought-provoking quiz designed to help listeners explore their beliefs about death and grief. She then recounts how a pivotal moment during her grief journey completely shifted her perspective, inspiring her to return to work—not as a therapist, but as a Oneness Coach. Rosalyn now helps others build grief resilience and discover their purpose, passion, and possibility.
HERE are the questions in case the audience wishes to review them: (There are no right and wrong answers, the questions are meant to bring us in touch with our beliefs about love, grief and death.)
True or False:
- Grief is love with no place to go.
- The intensity of our suffering is a direct measure of how much we loved our person.
- A parent who loses a child, can never feel whole again.
- A parent’s worth is determined by the struggles of their least functional child.
- If you truly love someone, you will never experience that kind of love again with anyone else.
- If someone close to you dies by suicide, it means you missed the signs and should have done more to prevent it.
- Life is always better than death, and it is our duty to help people keep living no matter what!
- People who are grieving need to “move on” within a specific time frame to live fully again.
- The amount of time it takes to feel open to living again after a loss depends solely on the depth of our grief.
- If someone appears to be coping well with grief, they are probably suppressing their true feelings.
- Talking about death and grief only makes it harder for people to heal.
- Strong people don’t need help or support during grief.
- There is a right and wrong way to grieve.
- Grief ends once you’ve gone through the stages.
An essential step toward a different experience of grief is becoming aware of our current beliefs and understanding how they shape our interpretation of what has happened and what is possible in the future.
Tune in as Rosalyn explores:
- How her understanding of grief and the traditional stages of grief transformed after the spiritual intervention she experienced right in the middle of enormous grief pain.
- Rosalyn has found that the states noted in Dr. Kubler-Ross’s 5 Stages of Grief were meant to be descriptive rather than prescriptive. Rosalyn encourages people to experience all feelings without taking a spiritual or psychological by-pass. .
- Noticing hurtful thoughts becomes our best friend when we have the true understanding that thoughts are energy in motion not truth!
- Rosalyn has extended an invitation for 8 women ready to embark on a journey from the predictable path of the “5 stages of grief” to cultivating a new kind of Exponential Grief Resilience, where pain is embraced and allowed to transmute into the love that honors our person. Together, we will discover a personal symbol that celebrates their life, empowering us to live fully—not only for the one who has passed but for the vibrant life we now live. If this offering calls to you, please book a call on the link below to find out if you are a fit to work together.
https://rosalynrourke.com/living-beyond-grief-program/
This heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, healing, and a deeper connection to life’s purpose beyond the traditional “stages of grief.” Don’t miss Rosalyn’s transformative insights and practical tools for navigating grief and unlocking life’s full potential.
Essential to a different experience of grief is an awareness of our current beliefs and the impact our beliefs play on our interpretation of what has happened and what is possible.
Key Beliefs that Keep Us Stuck in Grief:
Rosalyn also simplifies the steps for moving out of the traditional stages of grief into the possibility of living with zest and honoring our loved ones, all while addressing the thoughts and beliefs that keep us stuck.
Here are some questions Rosalyn invites you to consider:
- Are you willing to feel well and “alright,” or do you feel you must prove your love through suffering?
- Do you fear that stepping outside the identity of a grieving person will leave you feeling more alone?
- Does letting go of suffering mean losing your connection to your loved one or ones?
- Is it possible to resolve unfinished business with your loved one(s) when they are no longer here?
Episode Links:
- Rosalyn is offering a special opportunity for listeners to this podcast to go deeper into the thoughts and feelings that keep us stuck in the stages of grief.
https://rosalynrourke.com/living-beyond-grief-program/
- SPECIAL LINK FOR THURSDAY MUSINGS: https://mailchi.mp/rosalynrourke.com/podcast_musings
- ROSALYN’S CALENDLY LINK: https://calendly.com/rosalynrourke/exponential-grief-consult
- Her curated group for women is designed to transform profound suffering from grief into a vibrant joy for living—a way to honor our loved ones while stepping into a courageous and fulfilling life. ( A pre-interview with Rosalyn is required for a great match)
- Connect with Rosalyn on Socials:
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rosalynrourke
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rosalynrourke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosalyn..rourke https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563298575411 (business page)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rosalynrourke
- Use the link below to learn more about this unique small, life-changing group for women ready to discover a new life and connect deeply with other women in Exponential Resilience!
https://rosalynrourke.com/living-beyond-grief-program/
Dive Deeper into Rosalyn’s Books:
- In her bestselling book, When Wisdom Arrives: From Imagined Unworthiness to Freedom, Rosalyn shares the intricate journey of her relationship with her daughter Melissa. Before Melissa’s passing, their relationship shifted from judgment and hurt to profound respect and intimate love. This book also includes a fable that reveals a simple hack to free your mind from being held hostage by intrusive thoughts and feelings—essential wisdom for those navigating grief.
- In Become Empowered, a bestselling book curated by Sabine Kvenberg, Rosalyn writes about “Quantum Belonging: Embracing Life Beyond Limitations.” Building on the teachings from her first book, Rosalyn explains how conditioned beliefs from repetitive, hurtful thoughts can trap us into feelings of imagined unworthiness. By shifting these beliefs, we can step into a state of Quantum Belonging.
—
Watch the episode here
Listen to the podcast here
Find Out More About Rosalyn Who Experienced a Profound Shift in her Understanding of Grief
About Rosalyn Rourke
Rosalyn Rourke, MSW, is a two-time best-selling author with over 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist specializing in life and death issues, including suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and family constellation work. Trained in advanced trauma interventions through Smith College School for Social Work and post-graduate work at Yale Psychiatric facilities, Rosalyn brings a seasoned, compassionate perspective to living and dying well.
After the unexpected death of her daughter, Rosalyn experienced a profound shift in her understanding of grief. She has since developed a new paradigm that reframes loss as an opportunity for growth and meaning. In her view, the traditional “stages of grief” need not linger but can pass through us like other emotions, opening the door to healing and resilience.
From Rosalyn’s perspective, how we navigate death mirrors how we approach loss in other areas of life—whether it involves attachment, money, sexuality, or physical health. By embracing an awareness of our mortality, we can cultivate deeper gratitude for the preciousness of the lives we get to live.
✨ Irene’s new anthology book, Good to the Last Drop! Embracing Your Life’s Third Chapter is now available on Amazon.
✨ Get the audiobook version of my book, They Serve Bagels in Heaven for FREE when you sign up for Audible’s FREE 30-day trial using my link: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w
✨ For a curated collection of my favorite books, music, healing events, and self-care essentials, head over to kit.co/GriefandRebirth.
✨ Find your next source of healing and inspiration at the Grief and Rebirth Bookshop.
Listen to all episodes of the Grief and Rebirth Podcast HERE:
Find Irene on social media:
✨ Get your copy of Irene’s book: They Serve Bagels in Heaven: One Couple’s Story of Love, Eternity, and the Cosmic Importance of Everyday Life
Get access to The Live Your Most Evolved Life Summit Replay, where we showcase a synergy of talent that will heighten your intuition and will undoubtedly illuminate, enlighten, and spark your soul on your evolutionary journey towards ascension.
✨ Sign up for the Grief and Rebirth newsletter to stay up-to-date on forthcoming episodes, events, healing tools, and announcements.
Grief and Rebirth LLC is an affiliate, and we may earn a commission from purchases made through recommendations of products and services mentioned on the website, email, and social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube. This commission helps to support the podcast and allows us to continue providing valuable information and resources to our audience. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or thoroughly researched and believe will be helpful to our community. It will never cost you more to use our affiliate links and sometimes it will even save you money. Thank you for your ongoing support.
