In a world saturated with headlines of wars and conflicts, eliciting fear and profound grief for so many, it’s entirely normal to feel a deep sense of sorrow when confronted with the loss of someone familiar, like Matthew Perry. However, amidst the swell of emotions, a sense of shame might creep in, suggesting that this sorrow is somehow inappropriate in the face of more extensive tragedies, such as those in Ukraine and Israel, mass shootings, poverty, etc.

Grief, in all its intricate forms, is full of human emotion. It impacts our lives in so many ways, responding not only to widespread catastrophes but also to personal loss and connection. Various hardships may unfold simultaneously and grief is not a competition.

Matthew Perry, known to many as Chandler Bing from “Friends,” may be a distant figure in our lives, yet his passing can evoke a genuine sense of personal sadness. I am sad about his passing. He was a person many of us grew up watching, navigating the highs and lows of life that were shared through the media. The emotions we feel are real and deserve acknowledgment. It’s not a betrayal of the empathy we hold for the wars and conflicts around the globe. Grief isn’t a limited resource, where mourning one loss diminishes the significance of another.

Sorrow takes on its own form. Each expression of sorrow is profoundly personal. The tragedies occurring all around the planet evoke collective empathy, and it’s entirely valid to feel the weight of those global struggles. However, recognizing personal grief for a public figure doesn’t lessen the empathy we have for the broader world.

In these moments, it’s essential to honor the uniqueness of our own emotions and experience. Grief doesn’t conform to a rigid structure, and there’s no need to compare or rank our sorrows. What truly matters is the authenticity with which we embrace our feelings and extend compassion, both to ourselves and others.

Grieving for Matthew Perry doesn’t undermine the gravity of global situations. Instead, it reaffirms our shared humanity—a gentle reminder that, amid global challenges, personal connections and individual experiences hold significance. By allowing ourselves the space to grieve, we foster a culture of empathy that acknowledges the validity of each person’s emotional journey.

As we navigate the intricate pathways of grief, let’s remember that compassion isn’t a finite resource. It can extend gracefully to both the personal and the global, creating waves of empathy that connect us all through a unique and collective experience.

Please remember, it is ok to not be ok. And it is ok to ask for help.

**I have not been able to find the artist of this photo to give them credit. If you know who did this beautiful artwork, please let me know so I may give credit where credit is due. Thank you!