Greetings and Happy New Year.
Reflections
In the early stages, faced with the unknowns of an unpredictable illness, most of us are still dealing with issues of acceptance. It's helpful to remember that whatever we resist, deplore, or condemn only creates more suffering. Sometimes when I felt besieged by the challenges of caretaking, I'd remind myself that even dementia was "in the natural order of things." Reflect on what helps to deepen acceptance for you.
Suggestions
It is human nature to close down and contract in the face of a serious illness. We may assume that friends will pull back and avoid us. This may be true occasionally, but most people want to respond when friends are in need. That's important to remember--especially for those who are hesitant to ask for help.
Seed Thoughts
May I cultivate compassion toward myself and others.
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About Me
- Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle
- Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle is a writer, therapist, and teacher. She taught at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, affiliated with Beth Israel and Deaconess Hospitals, where she pioneered how to bring meditation, yoga, and cognitive therapy into the medical domain to treat stress-related and chronic illness. She helped to develop one of the first training programs in Mind/Body medicine in the country and trained health professionals through Harvard Medical School. Her teaching and training are inspired by over thirty years of practice in psychology, Buddhist meditation, and the wisdom traditions.
