After Tragedy

Tragedy often leaves us searching for answers, but as David Kessler beautifully expressed in a recent Masterclass conversation, meaning isn’t found in the event itself it’s in what we do after.

1. The Journey to Meaning

David Kessler, a renowned grief expert, shared his deeply personal journey through loss, which reshaped his understanding of grief and meaning. He explained that meaning is not about justifying the pain or finding a silver lining in tragedy. Instead, it’s about how we integrate the experience into our lives and grow from it.

2. The Six Needs of Grieving

Kessler introduced six essential needs of grieving, which include:

• Having your pain witnessed without judgment.

• Expressing and processing your feelings.

• Finding ways to integrate the loss into your life story.

These needs aren’t steps to check off but rather guideposts for navigating the complex terrain of loss.

3. Embracing the Pain to Find Hope

One of the most powerful messages was the importance of not skipping over the painful parts of grief.

As tempting as it is to bypass the discomfort, it’s only by sitting with the pain that we can eventually find hope and meaning.

By leaning into the discomfort and honouring our emotions, we create space for healing and transformation.

Life’s hardest moments can leave us feeling broken, but as this Masterclass discussion revealed, resilience, small steps, and the search for meaning can help us rebuild stronger than before.