No Time for Tears: Coping with Grief in a Busy World
Reviews (40)
FINDING CLARITY IN GRIEF
Trying to understand the grief I was experiencing, I read Judy Heath's No Time For Tears. Each highlighted section, whether chapter, paragraph, sentence, or reference to something, elicited emotion and/or recognition within me, often strong and/or vivid. This thought-provoking book on grief and the process of grief has helped guide me through an exploration of the emotions that can be attached to or hijacked by grief. Grief and loss take many forms. Whether an individual's grief resulted from a recent loss, a past loss, or there is an obscure grief hiding deep within from long ago, I believe No Time For Tears to be an excellent source of reference to guide one on this journey to understanding and clarity in the grieving process.
Substantive, Healing, and Powerful
Grief is universal and unfortunately something we all experience in our lives at some point. No Time for Tears: Surviving Grief in America (by Judy Heath) is a MUST READ for a multitude of audiences. Often when a book is described as hard to categorize, that usually indicates a weakness, but for this book, it is just one of its countless strengths. Some may see this book as a self-help guide, others as a textbook for counselors/therapists in training, yet another as a resource for their mental health practice. As a college professor myself, I can tell you that I believe this book would be an incredible teaching instrument. It could serve as an ideal text for an upper-level course on bereavement, or a supplemental text in a more general survey course on counseling. It provides an in-depth analysis of a topic that is largely misunderstood even by those who have lived through it. The author has numerous years of experience as a psychotherapist that includes helping so many of those that suffered the losses of 911 when her practice was located in NY. She not only has the professional insight and knowledge necessary for a narrative on such a sensitive, important issue, but she bears the wisdom of her own loss. If you are a mental health practitioner, or an academic teaching those that will practice in the field of counseling, psychology, or social work, you will not regret adding this book to your arsenal of information on a complicated subject. However, to leave the description of this work at a textbook, or even a self-improvement manual, would discount the other wonderful elements of the book such as the powerful, poignant vignettes that offer meaningful, moving, real-life illustrations of the many ways one can struggle through grief, not to mention the inclusion of the original poetry, much of it by the author, that is clearly born of her own sorrow, trials, and eventual joy. As someone who continues to endure my own battle with grief, I can share with you that reading this book has comforted me, touched me, offered me understanding, and finally, hope. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss, this book will provide the company of others walking through the same darkness, a light at the end of the tunnel, some practical tools to help you navigate your own journey, and the feeling of a warm, consoling conversation during those moments when you have to face the pain alone.
A perfect approach to a delicate subject
AH HA!!! YES! The title of this book was perfect for me. In these days of "take this pill and you'll be all better" you need a book like No Time For Tears to understand that the pain is real, it's normal and feeling it is part of moving past it. One day the pain will be joy in the memories of what you had and how lucky you were to have it. The other benefit of reading this book was that it gave me the tools to help someone other than myself in their time of need. It's hard to know what to say, but Ms. Heath helps guide you in those difficult times. A must read whether or not you have recently experienced a loss.
Truly helpful and healing. Wish that I had these wise words years ago
No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief In America is truly the most helpful book I have ever read. I'm thankful to have received it after my 27 year old son died. The book has so many fundamental (yet thorough) concepts that if the book had been available years ago, I would have been able to better help myself, my family, my patients and their families (I'm a pediatric nurse for the last 33 years). The real life stories and experiences gratefully shared by many throughout this book really helped me to apply the teachings to my own life. This book should be required reading for all including counselors, clergy, physicians, nurses and others who interact with people experiencing loss. The sections on how to help children of various ages work through their grief are so helpful for parents and teachers. I only wish that this book was available on CDs or some type of audio format. At a time I needed it most, the chaos of my grief would only let me read a few pages at a time. I could have used my long commute time to listen and heal. The resources listed at the end of the book are a wonderful addition to those who need more information and tools to help themselves and others. Thanks to Judy for helping guide millions of us lost in our grief to make it through the fog. Suzanne
A Therapist's Dream
As a therapist, I see many patients dealing with grief. This book is a wonderful resource for both the patient and therapist. It is written in such an approachable and empathic way, and talks about aspects of grief that you don't find in many of the traditional therapeutic literature. It is a contemporary look at grief that is suitable for people going through it in the culture of today. I keep several copies in my office now, lending them out often. Thank you for taking the time to write this book.
Helpful resource for trying times
I found this book really helpful as I tried to cope with the emotions from a dear friend/mentor passing away unexpectedly. The author helps you understand and appreciate your grief, rather than be ashamed of it. She even dedicates specific chapters to advice for those who have lost a parent, child, coworker, etc. My only complaint is the author spends less time focused on tips for when you've lost a close friend (that might just be the shortest chapter!), but overall, I found this book very helpful.
Life goes on however difficult it may be
I have bought several of Ms. Heath's book to distribute to those suffering loss. One especially went to a dear friend who had recently said goodbye to her husband. She reads it daily and finds great comfort and understanding. She also finds that by reading daily she does find subtle ways to go on. Together we have found that we can express our grief openly, and now know there are so many others that feel the same way when approached. Often we tend to hide these feelings so as not to make others uncomfortable. Ms. Heath lets us know, its ok to feel what you feel and express it. Through her own experiences, Judy Heath relates to all those who have had loss, as hers was so deep. Lossing her child, Jessie, had a profound effect on Judy's life. However, it seems by reading "No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief in America", we see that she not only gets it but can help others through her tragidy. There is a gentle thread of caring throughout this book that seems to help the reader release the fears held inside knowing that even the author has dealth with such a sadness. Judy Heath seems to be a person who unwittingly will pass on blessings, certainly my friend felt it.
Wise, beautiful, narrative on surviving and growing through grief
Judy Heath's book "No Time for Tears" is not a simpleton, self-help book with five easy steps to survive loss. Instead this eloquent writer marries the wisdom of her extensive theraphy practice, and the science of psychotherapy, with the rich narratives of her patients, who have something to teach us all about loss. She has a gift for breaking down the science, and her humble, nonjudmental voice gently guides the reader to find their own best path. Heath's book is filled with practical advice for those lost in the abyss of grief but also makes some important contributions that serve as a call to action to penetrate the way our society, workplaces, and family members currently conceptualize death and grieving. I have no doubt this book will be a guide to those in the throes of grief. But as a professor of communication studies, I also believe it is an important essay on death and loss that has the potential to teach many about this complex, nonlinear, and deeply personal experience.
Time is the greatest healer of all...
Judy has a unique perspective of putting into words what I could not, thus helping me to identify my thoughts and feelings about my son's suicide. Anger, resentment, sadness, isolation, are all part of 'going through' the grief process. I found it better to go through than tiptoe around, as that approach led to continued emotional distress and the inability to function. Emotional distress and inability to function are still in my life, but now I have Judy's book to balance myself on this beam that stretches out before me. My life is not as it was, plain and simple. However it is not what it can be. I must look ahead, and accept that "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." (John W. Gardner, American government official, 1912 - 2002)
Grief is Universal
There are many different kinds of grief & also many different ways to deal with that grief. "No Time for Tears" has nuggets of wisdom & hope for everyone. If you need a gift for a graduate, a neighbor, a newlywed...ANYONE...."No Time for Tears" would be a welcome addition to their bookshelf.
Comments
Post a Comment