WOMEN, GRIEF & COMPASSION
In our January Dialogue Book Club, we explored grief, compassion, and inner healing through the true story of Penguin Bloom.
Through Sam’s journey after a life-altering accident, we reflected on the stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance- and how healing begins when we allow ourselves to sit with pain, rather than resist it.
Guided by Dr. Gabor Maté’s 5 Levels of Compassion, we explored how wounds turn into wisdom when we meet our suffering with curiosity, honesty, and self-compassion.
We then turned to Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ poem “Abre La Puerta (Open the Door)”, which reminds us that every wound, loss, and hardship is a doorway to personal growth — and that those who open these doors with patience, courage, and compassion are often entrusted with the ability to help others.
In the film, our hero Sam loses not only her physical mobility, but also her sense of identity. Her loss becomes a door , a threshold into a new way of being.
And her key… is an unexpected bond with a bird.
As Sam learns to care for this wounded creature, she slowly reconnects with herself, discovering how compassion opens what once felt closed forever.
Inspired by this shared reading and viewing experience, we asked each other:
What locked doors have your wounds or grief created?
And what key are you using to open them?
As a symbol of this reflection, each participant received a small key, a reminder of their own inner wisdom.
Despite the freezing cold, our participants gathered to watch, read, reflect, and discuss together, reminding us that transformation can emerge through shared stories, films, and meaningful conversation.
Grateful for this circle, these stories, and the courage to open our doors together.