Acceptance does not mean forgetting, but rather using the memories to create a new life without the loved one. Hoping for things to be as they were may be replaced by a search for new relationships and new activities. Growth Grief is a chance for personal growth. For many people, it may eventually lead to renewed energy to invest in new activities and new relationships. Some people seek meaning in their loss and get involved in causes or projects that help others.
Some people find a new compassion in themselves as a result of the pain they have suffered.
They may become more sensitive to others, thus enabling richer relationships. Others find new strength and independence they never knew they had. After the loss, they find new emotional resources that had not been apparent before. This is a risky choice, since experience shows that grief, when ignored, continues to cause pain. The other choice is to recognize grieving and seek healing and growth.