William was an excellent hospital chaplain. He had the kind of professional pedigree that translated into a rewarding long-term career. He had the education, the experience, and the demeanor that set him apart as a chaplain who would be serving others well into his old age. Except, he burned out before his time. One day William didn’t show up to … Continue reading →
I love watching commercials. It probably had to do with a college assignment from my public speaking class that had us students studying TV commercials. So to this day, some 40 years later, I enjoy watching commercials. There is a commercial that I like, where a young lady is complaining about a boyfriend. Her friend points out that he likely … Continue reading →
There are patient’s whose death seems to hit us harder than others. People are made to connect and bond together, so it is not surprising when a death of a patient hits us like we just lost a life-long family member. Allow me to further explain. As a hospice nurse or caregiver you are in a relationship with your patient. … Continue reading →
There is an old lesson of nature that points out that a lobster sheds its shell several times a year so it can continue to grow. The analogy of the lesson is that we too must shed our past if we are to continue to grow. If we hold on to our past we impede our own growth going into … Continue reading →
I want to address “death anxiety” and caregivers. In particular, I wish to give you some tips for handling this anxiety when it rises up in your life. First, let me give a disclaimer, I am not a psychologist or trained therapist so everything I share here is pastoral in intent. I am speaking as one caregiver to another caregiver. … Continue reading →
Today, we recognize the whole person as having three interactive dimensions of body, mind, and spirit. We care for the body through proper nutrition and exercise. We care for the mind through similar efforts that help keep us grounded in reality and social behavior. But what about the spirit? How do we care for our spirit? Well, it is the … Continue reading →
You may not be familiar with the term “spiritual self-care” so I am going to give you some definition. First, “spiritual” means that element that is non-material in the holistic understanding of man as body, mind, and spirit. The spiritual aspect of our being that is most recognized with the religious that reaches beyond ourselves to a higher existence and … Continue reading →