The Healing Journey

July 3, 2023

“Each one teach one”
– African proverb

During the years of slavery in the United States, when black people were denied education, an African proverb emerged that urged,”Each one teach one.” Those who had learned to read and write felt a moral obligation to help another who didn’t have those skills. This responsibility was taken very seriously. African Americans recognized that by practicing “Each one teach one,” they would grow in knowledge, understanding and friendship. Even Mahatma Gandhi adopted the slogan in India because he knew it would help end illiteracy and bring people closer together as a community. And it still applies today.

For a moment, think about the obligation that those of us who have suffered grief have for others enduring the same pain. We know how lonely and painful the path to healing can be and that there are certain things that must be done. What would it be like if we adopted the motto “Each one, teach one” and reached out to help another suffering person in mourning?

Although our grief journeys are unique, those of us who have endured pain can truly feel for another person whose grief is new. Equally important, we can understand just how meaningful a helping hand can be when a grieving person feels bereft of hope and wandering in darkness.

Reach out and help another. Bereavement has many stages, and you might be the person who can give hope to someone who is newly bereaved and doesn’t know what their next step should be. Someone who needs to be taught how to make it through the first day, the first week, the first month. Each one teach one.

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Even in your pain you can be the helping hand of someone bereft of hope.