November 11 2019
Monday, November 11, 2019
Learning to Listen takes practice. In casual conversation, we listen while also thinking about what we’ll say next. Deep listening means our focus is solely on the speaker. We allow them to say what they need to say and create a safe space for them to do so. I’ve had the honor of being in these kinds of safe spaces and witnessing the healing that occurs when people are heard.
Previous Posts
October 18 2021
Sometimes memories of our loved ones are painful. Perhaps the manner of their death, disagreements we had or unfinished conversations to name a few. Mental health providers are a great resource to ...
October 11 2021
As we continue our conversation about cherishing memories, my work provides me with the gift of hearing many cherished memories. I’ve shared many spaces with people grieving loved ones and when the...
October 4 2021
This month our theme is “Cherishing Memories.” Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., considers remembering the person who died as one of the needs of mourners. You move from a relationship of presence to a relation...
September 27 2021
As we close out this month’s discussion of “Mustering Courage in Loss,” I invite you do as poet John O’Donohue suggests and engage the danger and the wildness in your own heart, even when your hear...
September 20 2021
I really appreciate this line from poet Alice Mackenzie Swaim, “Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.” That is what it take...
September 13 2021
As we talk more about mustering courage in loss, let’s begin with the etymology of the words muster and courage. According to https://www.etymonline.com, the word muster means, "to display, reveal,...
September 6 2021
This month our theme is “Mustering Courage in Loss.” This is a very appropriate theme as we honor the 20th anniversary of 9-11. Koch Funeral Home was working with Alpha Fire Company to hold a Remem...
August 30 2021
For our final “Life with Tears and Laughter” themed post this month, I offer the poem, “The Guest House,” by Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet, scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic.
This being huma...
August 23 2021
People often ask me how I take care of myself since my work involves life with tears and laughter. One of the things I do is allow myself to freely express my tears and laughter. I’ve learned that ...
August 16 2021
Now let’s look at the laughter portion of our theme, “Life with Tears and Laughter.” Research has shown that laughter is healthy for us emotionally, physically and socially. (Please read the July G...
Find Us:
Comments