Saturday, April 30, 2016
A Word on The Wiz
The Wiz
In the updated version of the Wizard of Oz, The Wiz staring Michael Jackson,
Dianna Ross and Nipsy Russell we find an urban look into the story told from a
different point of view.
The Wiz
didn't give them anything and stood there with nothing to help them deal with
why they had come to see him. They had done all this for nothing.
Sometimes you will not be able to give a tangible gift to the patient you are
serving. In my chaplain visits I have had many patients who cannot engage
in regular communication that I am used to.
I find that some severe Alzheimer's patients just cannot comprehend the
gift of helping, a gift or mint to lighten their day. Sometimes things are different, 'Like the
Wiz' In my journeys of care giving I
have had patients who knew exactly what they wanted to say yet, they could not
get the words out of their mouth to relay the thought to me. This was so frustrating to them that it
brought much anxiety to them and I felt the responsibility of causing angst
instead of soothing their mind with my visit.
There are times that you will not be able to give them the gift that you
long desire to offer but you may be able to offer them something more.
The offer of non material gifts are
important in life as we go along the way. Gifts such as patience,
presence, a pause of silence in order for the patient to process the task at
hand or the words just spoken. These
gifts are so important to the patient that we cannot measure their worth to the
relationship we are building. Knowing
that everyone is not suited for the naturally comfortable setting that we are
comfortable with is part of offering real love for our patients. Some of the patients we serve are
comfortable with the loud TV going in the background. You may have a patient that is running a
race, like one of my recent patients who wanted to walk around the nurses
station several times a day, if he could.
Luis was into sports in a big way in his life, he had run many marathons
and felt very comfortable in the sports conversations and debates. Looks different than most hospice patients,
but this was a different life that I respect and cared for deeply. These gifts are sometimes only realized
through my conversation with the patient or someone who has known them for most
of their life. This person can help me
to understand why they react a certain way, if I can detach from my own
familiar life for a moment, I will find out where home is for that
patient. Loving them enough to
understand how to bring personal comfort can solve many issues in my challenge
to offer support.
There are also metaphysical gifts that we
can learn to lean on in order to inspire hope in a hopeless person.
Such as the love of God, the developing nature of our existence, and how the
attitude can affect each day. These supports for offering care are
much more important than even the things that we write in their chart.
Life on life care means more than just maintaining hygiene by washing a person,
or assisting someone out of the bed so that they can sit up in the kitchen and
eat breakfast.
The life upon
life care is an intimate exchange of presence which speaks volumes of love,
affirmation, care, assurance and actual, not virtual, 'connectedness' to the
world around them. You testify to the person that you are caring for that he/she is a real person who
was created by God for the purpose of living in this world. You relay to them that they are offering to
the world value in every breath breathed and every sense felt. God
operates on this level many times and places value on each life by extending
His own image upon those lives in the world.
Psalm 139: 15 says, "My frame
was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of
the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of
them came to be."
This ancient song in the pages of
scripture helps us to remember that God has been and is aware of our presence
before we were born. Much of our
existence in the world is consumed with how productive we are but God is aware
of us when no one else offers support.
He offers his affirmation to the person who can no longer offer the
conventional type of contribution to society.
God's love is shown to them in His Word and we can express that same
love to the patient as a gift as we lean upon the metaphysical gift that we
have from God.
This verse of scripture also informs
us of the purposeful intention that goes into the makeup of our lives. The psalmist understands that God has a specific purpose for us even before we are born into this world. "I was woven together in the depths of
the earth". Being born into the
world is an act which is orchestrated by God himself with intent from beginning
to the end. The illustration of weaving
something together is not the act of an unintentional mishap but the idea of
creativity, sure thought and purpose.
Many people try to comprehend the productivity of a person by
understanding what they can do or how they can think but God ordains a birth in
the gift of conception and initiates the first act of another actor for a
certain purpose and need. Only God knows
the specific purpose of every baby born and only He can direct that child to
the place where his/her gifts can be put into use for the solution to a certain
need.
Just like the Wiz offers a different
take on the same old story, each and every person born comes with a tailored
makeup to offer us a customized understanding of the world around us. The Wiz turned out to be a man who was so
self-conscious that he did not even want to come out in public at Oz and risk
falling under the judgment of those who looked up to him. This rendition of the Wizard of Oz promotes
the fact that we are all made a certain way.
Believing that you are made a certain way and accepting that as OK is important in every care giver's life.
Life is a lot about realizing who you are
and celebrating your gifts by using them to help others. The Wiz didn't give them what they wanted
because he never had it to begin with not even for himself. Remember what Glinda the Good told Dorothy
at the end of the story, "You always had the power, my dear, you just had
to learn it for yourself." When you learn/accept yourself, you can accomplish many things. Make your time count by doing what you do best.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
"Some people without brains do a lot of talking, don't they?" The Scarecrow
Ok, I know what you are going to say… "Yes, the Scarecrow is right. I have a coworker who talks all of the time and he shows little signs of brain activity."
Do you have a person in your world who has no brains but talks all of the time? Don't say a word….
Well I have worked with several teams of people and each group had its own kooky makeup. Some love hate relationships others who attempted to make the day shorter by making things very interesting for each other in special ways. The teams that I worked with in the office environments all had at least on person who could be the perfect example of this quote.
I can remember working with my great friends at Kaiser years ago with a group of people who loathed a young guy (who was pretty silly too). They hated the guy so much that the day he called in and quit from the office, they actually threw an all out office party. This was after I had worked with them for about a month. I remember thinking, "They wanted him to quit so much that they are using his quitting as an incentive to have a good time." The two girls who instigated the whole thing were of the less brainy but chatty, chatty club.
Hey, let's face it… some people do not think before they talk and this is just the way they have gotten along in life. Some have found that most people are not listening to them anyway so, what they say always makes sense to them. With little feedback. That's tough.
If you are familiar with the movie, The Wizard of Oz, you will remember that the Scarecrow was pretty smart to be functioning with no brain. I remember in the office where I worked, I would think sometimes, maybe she was just born in the wrong age or she's from a strange land. Lord, they just may need a do over in life. If you are a chatty chatty person please don't take this too personal we all need a little grace. Grace is an important gift to be ready to give and to learn to accept. Let's just hope you don't wear out your friend's grace button!!!!!
If you have given a no brainy person a pass lately, good for you, the serious thinkers need someone to balance out their square peg and round hole approach to life. We all must remember that each person in our lives has a gift to offer the world of friends that she has. It is great to find out the gift that a less brainy person has and then celebrate with them in their accomplishments. We all need that type of support and affirmation in life and can benefit from the closest of friends advancing in life. Hey I bet those two young ladies who I worked in that office are doing just fine now.
Even though the Scarecrow didn't think he was smart enough, his new found friends did not kick him aside. They accepted him as a fellow friend on a journey to greater understanding in life. You will also remember that Dorothy and the other two characters would not have gotten too far without the Scarecrow's way of thinking outside the box. The folks without a brain can be a great companion in many ways…
When you need to think way outside of the proverbial box, they will help since they don't think straight.
When you need some comedy relief they are always able to help out.
When someone is taking things too seriously, less brainys are great to lighten the atmosphere.
So, Just remember that although some people who talk too much and have little brain activity are sometimes annoying, they will help you to know when to press the grace button for them. They will bring the comedy in even when they do not know it.
And they will help you have a better and more productive prayer life because you will have to pray to take them as a serious friend at times. But continue to be their friend, you're gonna need them too.
Ok, I know what you are going to say… "Yes, the Scarecrow is right. I have a coworker who talks all of the time and he shows little signs of brain activity."
Do you have a person in your world who has no brains but talks all of the time? Don't say a word….
Well I have worked with several teams of people and each group had its own kooky makeup. Some love hate relationships others who attempted to make the day shorter by making things very interesting for each other in special ways. The teams that I worked with in the office environments all had at least on person who could be the perfect example of this quote.
I can remember working with my great friends at Kaiser years ago with a group of people who loathed a young guy (who was pretty silly too). They hated the guy so much that the day he called in and quit from the office, they actually threw an all out office party. This was after I had worked with them for about a month. I remember thinking, "They wanted him to quit so much that they are using his quitting as an incentive to have a good time." The two girls who instigated the whole thing were of the less brainy but chatty, chatty club.
Hey, let's face it… some people do not think before they talk and this is just the way they have gotten along in life. Some have found that most people are not listening to them anyway so, what they say always makes sense to them. With little feedback. That's tough.
If you are familiar with the movie, The Wizard of Oz, you will remember that the Scarecrow was pretty smart to be functioning with no brain. I remember in the office where I worked, I would think sometimes, maybe she was just born in the wrong age or she's from a strange land. Lord, they just may need a do over in life. If you are a chatty chatty person please don't take this too personal we all need a little grace. Grace is an important gift to be ready to give and to learn to accept. Let's just hope you don't wear out your friend's grace button!!!!!
If you have given a no brainy person a pass lately, good for you, the serious thinkers need someone to balance out their square peg and round hole approach to life. We all must remember that each person in our lives has a gift to offer the world of friends that she has. It is great to find out the gift that a less brainy person has and then celebrate with them in their accomplishments. We all need that type of support and affirmation in life and can benefit from the closest of friends advancing in life. Hey I bet those two young ladies who I worked in that office are doing just fine now.
Even though the Scarecrow didn't think he was smart enough, his new found friends did not kick him aside. They accepted him as a fellow friend on a journey to greater understanding in life. You will also remember that Dorothy and the other two characters would not have gotten too far without the Scarecrow's way of thinking outside the box. The folks without a brain can be a great companion in many ways…
When you need to think way outside of the proverbial box, they will help since they don't think straight.
When you need some comedy relief they are always able to help out.
When someone is taking things too seriously, less brainys are great to lighten the atmosphere.
So, Just remember that although some people who talk too much and have little brain activity are sometimes annoying, they will help you to know when to press the grace button for them. They will bring the comedy in even when they do not know it.
And they will help you have a better and more productive prayer life because you will have to pray to take them as a serious friend at times. But continue to be their friend, you're gonna need them too.
What is the Annual Care Giver Retreat
The ACGR is a retreat specifically conducted for the care of those who care for other people in their profession.
The retreat could be applicable to Teachers, Social Workers, Counselors, Ministers and others who deliver life on life care to other people. The purpose of the retreat is to offer time to refresh the spirit and reconnect with the true self. This is done by engaging in the task of affirming yourself much like the caregiver affirms the life of the person that they care for each day.
The ACGR registration fee is $25 per participant please bring cash for your payment.
Attending the ACGR is a very refreshing event and should be utilized for each person attending.
Coming to the retreat it would be a good idea to:
1- Dress warm - it is usually cool in the mornings even when we enter the gardens it is still chilly.
2- Wear rubber bottom shoes that do not slip easy.
3- Take your time driving out to Dunaway Gardens- It is nestled out in the corner of Newnan so don't be in a hurry to get here.
4- Bring a positive attitude about your time of relaxing.
5- Be ready to connect with someone who does work very similar to your own.
6- If you take allergy medicine, bring it with you. You will be among nature and the Georgia Pollen can be a great challenge.
Most people who come to the retreat leave so refreshed that they get together with other participants and go to Newnan to each lunch and some catch a movie. You can treat yourself to a whole day of relaxing and refreshing. Chaplain Cutter recommends that you bring a good friend who does the same type of work so that when you leave the gardens you both can hangout together. Your registration to the retreat pays for you to stay in the gardens for the day so feel free to roam after the retreat is over.
We are arranging a light breakfast with juice and coffee so bring your favorite cup, like I do.
Below are some ground rules for the retreat sessions.
• Group members will never be forced to talk, but are encouraged to do so.
• Group members agree to respect the other group members and keep things said within the session confidential. Personal information is not to be used outside of the group. (Exception: if you are a danger to yourself or others.)
• Group members agree not to judge or correct other group members. Everyone is at a different place on his or her journey.
• Group members understand that he or she is free to ask questions and to express feelings, thoughts, concerns, anger, fears and successes. When emotions are expressed please offer your presence, your patience, your pause and then your support.
• Group members agree to allow time for everyone to comment and share. Instances of silence during discussion time will be viewed as "okay" because it allows everyone time to think before answering.
Group members are encouraged to hug due to the touch deprived society that we experience each day. Real Hugs are encouraged for All!!!
• Group members understand that this is a spiritual program and at times will give Biblical references to support participants reflections.
Knowing these things will help you have a productive time for your retreat experience.
General info:
Dunaway Gardens, is a well manicured garden tucked in the corner of Newnan, Ga. You will be surrounded by nature and have time to take for reconnecting with your mind and body and spirit.
The Retreat will take place on Fri. May 27 from 8:00 am- 1:30pm, breakfast will be served. The attendance fee for access to the gardens and Retreat is $25.00. Register by May 20 (call Chaplain Cutter (770-969-8354).
Participants will meet at Dunaway Gardens: 3218 Roscoe Rd., Newnan, Ga. 30263
Please call Chaplain Horace Cutter for any questions or concerns. 678-763-1871
Directions to Dunaway Gardens :
*From I-85 take exit 47 Bullsboro Dr. (Hwy 34) in Newnan.
*Drive toward Newnan about ¼ mi, make right on 34 by-pass.
*Continue on 34 by-pass (3mi.) to Hwy 70 (Roscoe Rd). make right & Drive apprx. 5. 5 miles.
*Dunaway Gardens will be on the Left.
Stay tuned for more information on the ACGR
The retreat could be applicable to Teachers, Social Workers, Counselors, Ministers and others who deliver life on life care to other people. The purpose of the retreat is to offer time to refresh the spirit and reconnect with the true self. This is done by engaging in the task of affirming yourself much like the caregiver affirms the life of the person that they care for each day.
The ACGR registration fee is $25 per participant please bring cash for your payment.
Attending the ACGR is a very refreshing event and should be utilized for each person attending.
Coming to the retreat it would be a good idea to:
1- Dress warm - it is usually cool in the mornings even when we enter the gardens it is still chilly.
2- Wear rubber bottom shoes that do not slip easy.
3- Take your time driving out to Dunaway Gardens- It is nestled out in the corner of Newnan so don't be in a hurry to get here.
4- Bring a positive attitude about your time of relaxing.
5- Be ready to connect with someone who does work very similar to your own.
6- If you take allergy medicine, bring it with you. You will be among nature and the Georgia Pollen can be a great challenge.
Most people who come to the retreat leave so refreshed that they get together with other participants and go to Newnan to each lunch and some catch a movie. You can treat yourself to a whole day of relaxing and refreshing. Chaplain Cutter recommends that you bring a good friend who does the same type of work so that when you leave the gardens you both can hangout together. Your registration to the retreat pays for you to stay in the gardens for the day so feel free to roam after the retreat is over.
We are arranging a light breakfast with juice and coffee so bring your favorite cup, like I do.
Below are some ground rules for the retreat sessions.
• Group members will never be forced to talk, but are encouraged to do so.
• Group members agree to respect the other group members and keep things said within the session confidential. Personal information is not to be used outside of the group. (Exception: if you are a danger to yourself or others.)
• Group members agree not to judge or correct other group members. Everyone is at a different place on his or her journey.
• Group members understand that he or she is free to ask questions and to express feelings, thoughts, concerns, anger, fears and successes. When emotions are expressed please offer your presence, your patience, your pause and then your support.
• Group members agree to allow time for everyone to comment and share. Instances of silence during discussion time will be viewed as "okay" because it allows everyone time to think before answering.
Group members are encouraged to hug due to the touch deprived society that we experience each day. Real Hugs are encouraged for All!!!
• Group members understand that this is a spiritual program and at times will give Biblical references to support participants reflections.
Knowing these things will help you have a productive time for your retreat experience.
General info:
Dunaway Gardens, is a well manicured garden tucked in the corner of Newnan, Ga. You will be surrounded by nature and have time to take for reconnecting with your mind and body and spirit.
The Retreat will take place on Fri. May 27 from 8:00 am- 1:30pm, breakfast will be served. The attendance fee for access to the gardens and Retreat is $25.00. Register by May 20 (call Chaplain Cutter (770-969-8354).
Participants will meet at Dunaway Gardens: 3218 Roscoe Rd., Newnan, Ga. 30263
Please call Chaplain Horace Cutter for any questions or concerns. 678-763-1871
Directions to Dunaway Gardens :
*From I-85 take exit 47 Bullsboro Dr. (Hwy 34) in Newnan.
*Drive toward Newnan about ¼ mi, make right on 34 by-pass.
*Continue on 34 by-pass (3mi.) to Hwy 70 (Roscoe Rd). make right & Drive apprx. 5. 5 miles.
*Dunaway Gardens will be on the Left.
Stay tuned for more information on the ACGR
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
The ACGR Connect
There was a quote from the story of the Wizard of Oz, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Dorothy
It took a tornado to lift the house up into the air and see all of the people that she had recently interacted with in order for Dorothy to realize that she was not in Kansas anymore. There comes a time sometimes several times in the life of a care giver that they realize that they are not in Kansas anymore. And I don't mean the great state of Kansas, I am referring to the familiarity of which we are prone to settle into when caring for a person in need. The needs change, the medicine changes, the daily tasks change, THE DIAGNOSIS CHANGES!!
These are the types of changes that can really get you to thinking, "Who up there doesn't love me."
Well, I am here to let you know that, it is because He loves you that you are the one who has been chosen to care. Your love for the person you care for is essential to their comfort and sanity and helpful to your own life fulfillment. Remember that as a care giver, you find some purpose of your life in caring for others. This is important!! The patient on the floor, that husband of the patient who is completely out of his element in the hospital, that social worker or chaplain looking for ways to comfort a family, all need your help. You have been called to guide them through this ordeal or hold their hand while you both see this chapter in the family's life being played out. You have the heart for this and that is why you are here.
Care giving is not for someone who wants to checkout in life but for a person who is willing to love with all they have so that the fulfillment of the soul is nurtured and set free to do that special task in this time of your own life, the season for caring and learning to love more and to do what you have been created to do. Yes, you will go through times where Kansas is where you would love to be because you enjoyed the simple life but there is more to care giving than that!!!
Don't let a tornado have to happen so that you can find out that you are not in Kansas anymore.
It took a tornado to lift the house up into the air and see all of the people that she had recently interacted with in order for Dorothy to realize that she was not in Kansas anymore. There comes a time sometimes several times in the life of a care giver that they realize that they are not in Kansas anymore. And I don't mean the great state of Kansas, I am referring to the familiarity of which we are prone to settle into when caring for a person in need. The needs change, the medicine changes, the daily tasks change, THE DIAGNOSIS CHANGES!!
These are the types of changes that can really get you to thinking, "Who up there doesn't love me."
Well, I am here to let you know that, it is because He loves you that you are the one who has been chosen to care. Your love for the person you care for is essential to their comfort and sanity and helpful to your own life fulfillment. Remember that as a care giver, you find some purpose of your life in caring for others. This is important!! The patient on the floor, that husband of the patient who is completely out of his element in the hospital, that social worker or chaplain looking for ways to comfort a family, all need your help. You have been called to guide them through this ordeal or hold their hand while you both see this chapter in the family's life being played out. You have the heart for this and that is why you are here.
Care giving is not for someone who wants to checkout in life but for a person who is willing to love with all they have so that the fulfillment of the soul is nurtured and set free to do that special task in this time of your own life, the season for caring and learning to love more and to do what you have been created to do. Yes, you will go through times where Kansas is where you would love to be because you enjoyed the simple life but there is more to care giving than that!!!
Don't let a tornado have to happen so that you can find out that you are not in Kansas anymore.
Monday, April 11, 2016
The Annual Care Giver Retreat at Dunaway Gardens, Newnan, GA
ACGR
The Annual Care Giver Retreat
This year's theme is, "There's No Place Like Home"... Yes from the epic tale 'The Wizard of Oz'
We will be reflecting on the idea that home is that place of refuge where people tend to go when things get tough, when stress is high and when life gets challenging. We all like to think that home is that place where we have our own little corner where we can be who we really are and will never be judged for it.
The ACGR will be held on May 27th on location Dunaway Gardens, among the natural fragrance of flowers and lovely landscape. The Annual Care Giver Retreat is specifically for Professional Care Givers.
Participants
will meet at Dunaway
Gardens
Please
call Chaplain Horace Cutter for any questions or concerns. 678-763-1871
Directions
to Dunaway Gardens
*From
I-85 take exit 47 Bullsboro Dr.
*Drive
toward Newnan about ¼ mi, make right on 34 by-pass.
*Continue
on 34 by-pass (3mi.) to Hwy 70 (Roscoe Rd
*Dunaway Gardens
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