Living Energy Blog

Tues., October 4th radio program

Peg and I had a great conversation with Viki Kind this morning on the radio show.  Her book is truly incredible—I only wish I had had it at the start of my care-giving journey. A wonderful gift to ease the way, lighten the burden and help you feel confident in your decisions for loved ones.

The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices for Those Who Can’tguides families and healthcare professionals through the process of making decisions for those who are losing or have lost capacity to think.  Viki Kind has developed an adaptable system for making choices that comes as much from her heart as from her extensive experience as a bioethicist.  Readers will learn the framework and tools to create a good, ethical decision.  These tools will help give voice to those who can’t speak for themselves. The book provides specific strategies and questions to use along the decision making pathway.  This is not a one-size-fits-all solution but can be adapted depending on the individual’s level of incapacity and the situation. Throughout the book are personal and real-life stories to help illustrate these tools.  At the end of the book, Viki gives expanded end-of-life guidance for making the most difficult decisions.  Respect and compassion are the core values of this decision making process. 

To see the book, read reviews or purchase:

 http://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Path-Compassionate-Decision-Making/dp/1608320413/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

Please pass this along to anyone tha you think may benefit from it.

Here is a link to download our Sept 20 call:
 
Self Care for Caregivers:

Energy Tools to Release Stress and Prevent Burnout
 
http://pegdonahue.audioacrobat.com/download/Sept20-SelfCare-for-Caregiver-Free-Call.mp3
 
We hope you find it helpful!  About 40 minutes into this recording Karen guides us through a wonderful meditation.  Listen to it and feel the stress leave your body.
 
Our 8 week program Caregivers: The Secret Power of Self Care begins next Monday, September 27th. This program is an opportunity to release stress as you learn a variety of techniques strengthen your energy. You’ll have the opportunity to share your story in a safe space, release stress, connect with your heart energy and be fully present for your SELF and those you love. We’ll be sharing techniques similar to the sample meditation each week.
 
The 8 week program is a chance to practice self care and honor your SELF and the amazing work you are doing.
 
The program fee is $89.00. Here is a link to register or to learn more:
http://www.livingenergyworks.com/caregiver-secret-power-of-self-care.html

 
Peg Donahue and Karen Kallie

Self Care for Caregivers
Energy Tools to Release Stress and Prevent Burnout
Free Preview Teleclass …
Date: Monday September 20th, 2010
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm EDT

Caregiver stress is a major factor for individuals, families and society. The complexity of the role, the magnitude of competing needs, the conflicting emotions and the sheer physical drains of caregiving put caregivers at high risk for stress-related issues and burnout. If you are a caregiver, this teleclass, led by Karen Kallie and Peg Donahue, is for you!

Learn how to:
Discover an oasis of inner peace
Develop balance in your day
Renew, rebuild and restore your energy

 
This class is a preview of an 8 week teleclass program that begins September 27th, 2010
 
To register for this call, click here.  http://www.livingenergyworks.com/caregiver.htm

You’ll receive the phone number when you register and we will email you a reminder the day of the call.
 
Please pass this information along to anyone who may benefit from it.
 
Click here to join our Facebook page and receive regular Blog posts.
 
Take some time to ground and balance your energy every day!

What does synchronicity got to do with caregiving? Join us tomorrow, Monday, August 23, 2010 and find out!

You can make room for The Creative to develop within you by letting go of inferior habits and thoughts … anything that doesn’t serve you or benefit your highest good.  Such habits would include judgments about other people, careless words and thoughts, lack of compassion, intolerance, frantic actions and more.  Cultivate integrity, goodness, patience and humbleness.  Open yourself to help from others.  Allow your High Powers to guide your actions.  Change what you can about yourself and accept what “is.” 

 How do you make room for The Creative to accomplish this acceptance, or the letting go of that which no longer serves you whether it be old patterns of behavior, difficult emotions or repetitive thoughts?

East is meeting West once again as current research demonstrates the biology behind wise ancient advice! Scientists have studied the process that successful people use in this regard and   have discovered that we can learn to set the stage for letting go through some fairly simple steps. The steps are simple however the changes that occur in the brain and throughout the body involve complex biochemistry. These changes not only involve a letting go and arrival at acceptance, they also improve health, enhance mood, open the door to creativity, increased learning, ‘out of the box’ thinking and boost productivity.  

The beginning of this process involves stress! The stress may be imposed from outside or it may come about as you seek to solve a problem or resolve a situation. The stress may be useful in the beginning in some ways, but if left unaddressed it typically builds as resolution of your dilemma is not forthcoming. If this continues your physical and psychological well being are impaired.

You can intervene in the stress cycle in a healthy way by taking a break and engaging in an activity that will trigger more beneficial and helpful biochemistry that will lead to the solution to your problem as well as the aforementioned other positive changes.

What types of activities are helpful now? Something that takes you completely away from your habitual and familiar thoughts, feelings and ways of reacting is essential. It can be helpful to consciously be aware of all the information and facts etc regarding your stress but it is also helpful to engage another level of wisdom to enter and help you. This is done by shifting your state of mind and not continuing to actively resist or fight with the cause of your stress.

Repetitive activities that help to quiet the mind and body are the key. You may choose meditation, yoga, prayer, knitting, singing, housework, gardening, contemplating nature, conscious breathing, walking, biking or hiking. The important component is that these are changes that break the pattern you were in and focus your attention elsewhere.

What happens then is a series of intricate shifts within your biochemistry and neurology that sets the stage for an ‘AHA Experience’…. the resolution of your problem. The next step is a return to normal life with a heightened sense of well being.

 The first time you practice this approach may not feel exactly like an enlightenment experience! Be assured however that with practice you will be strengthening pathways and laying the groundwork for new abilities to grow within you.  Spiritual energy and great creative forces surround us at all times but we must do our part to become worthy partners in the co-creative dance.

 Emotional Freedom Techniques is another great tool for removing the stress from your system and allowing greater states of relaxation, intuition and resolution to enter your awareness. In addition, imagery or inner child work focused on releasing past core issues are enormously helpful to open and release the fundamental roots of stress so that your inner space can be free and clear to allow more creative flow within you.

 Remember, the fundamental creative power of the universe is unrestricted and available to all of us.  We must have a way of connecting, aligning with it for it to benefit us. When we have a process to let go of the old and welcome the new creative flow can move more gracefully beyond stress and into a whole new way of being that is enlivening and life enhancing. 

“ We can also awaken ourselves with the intention to be more aware of the unconditional generosity of the life force that flows through us regardless of our circumstances.” From The Daily Om

Self Care for Caregivers
Energy Tools to Release Stress and Prevent Burnout
Free Preview Teleclass …
Date: Monday August 16, 2010
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm EDT

Caregiver stress is a major factor for individuals, families and society. The complexity of the role, the magnitude of competing needs, the conflicting emotions and the sheer physical drains of caregiving put caregivers at high risk for stress-related issues and burnout. If you are a caregiver, this teleclass, led by Karen Kallie and Peg Donahue, is for you!

Learn how to:
Discover an oasis of inner peace
Develop balance in your day
Renew, rebuild and restore your energy.

This class is a preview of an 8 week teleclass program that begins September 27th, 2010
 
To register for this call, click  here http://www.livingenergyworks.com/caregiver.htm . You’ll receive the phone number when you register and we will email you a reminder the day of the call.
 
Please pass this information along to anyone who may benefit from it.
 
Click here to join our Facebook page and receive regular Blog posts.
 
Take some time to ground and balance your energy every day!
 
Karen Kallie, Peg Donahue and Tony Pace

Caregiver Corner Tips Summary from our July 26, 2010 show on how perception influences stress–these are usefull for everyone not just caregivers!

1. Know that there are other ways of looking at a situation than yours. Try brainstorming other options for opinions and opening your awareness to other viewpoints.

2. Ask questions of others regarding possible solutions rather than than direct “rescuing” with solutions, answers or problem solving…Ask,  “What might happen if ..?”

3. Ask of the person being cared for as well as others involved in care: “How can we help you?” Especially ask the caregiver this question if you are not the primary source of care!

4. As a caregiver talk to a friend, confidante …tell your story, how it is for you… having a witness to your story or experience can be powerful in its own right.

5. Take time to meditate and be quiet. You need to recharge your batteries to keep going effectively!

6. Be aware of good boundaries. Examine yours and others and take measures to make them healthy.

8. See the family story as drama. Take the perspective that you are watching a movie or play, it helps to take you out of strong emotions that are so compelling and drag you down.

9. Observe what is being mirrored. Ask what this person place or situation is teaching—or can teach you…helps to put a constructive spin on it. 

10. Allow ALL your feelings. Your feelings need to be honored. Have a process that lets you feel them and then release them. Feelings tend not to be easily released until they are felt and processed. 

11. Appreciate the caregiver. If you are a family member, friend or professional involved in family care, remember to appreciate the caregiver’s efforts. If you are a caregiver, acknowledge and appreciate yourself!  

If you are involved in caregiving, what are some of the ways you have found that help deal with the complex interpersonal dynamics and stress of this situation?