I have been around grief and loss informally since I was nine and my Grandpa Joe died, formally since 1996 when I became a hospice volunteer. I have spent the past seven years of my life devoted to dying, death, grief, and loss. I have notices something and it came to light very clearly during a teaching session I was leading at Rhodes Wellness College the other day. I was … [Read more...]
The Impact of Care Giving Within the Care System
I was chatting with a student of mine today and listening to her sharing. I understood on a deeper level how spiritually and emotionally impactful giving care can be, especially within a care system. Here are two things she shared that reminded me how important it is to take care of our care providers: 1) A client/patient/resident of hers died several days ago and she was … [Read more...]
It Takes A Community to Grieve
I have often thought and almost as often spoken that it takes a community to grieve, it takes a community to die well, it takes a community to heal from loss. On an intellectual level I knew it was the case and I have seen evidence of it when working with the dying. I was in Campbell River this past week doing some training in a long term care home coupled with a weekend … [Read more...]
10,000 Hours to Master a Skill Set – Better Start your End of Life Training Now!
Malcolm Gladwell spoke of this concept in his bold book The Tipping Point and as I review my life I notice the truth in it. Any new skill set I have mastered has required my persistence, patience and regular practice. In our fast food, quick fix culture 10,000 hours seems like a lifetime, and many of us want speedy results. Hmmm… not possible when it comes to personal growth … [Read more...]