As I expand the aspects of Wellness…I wish to begin with Healing…and come back to Wholeness in a later post. I give you this formula…in order to heal relationships. In terms of barriers to love…there is resentment, bitterness, jealousy, envy and anger. All of thes feelings have significant potential to impact mind, body and spirit. If you are not aware of all that feelings can do to one’s health, you would be demonstrating love for yourself… in coming to this understanding as deep and wide as this topic is. Look for what is shared by Dr. Andrew Weil, and /or Dr Deepak Chopra…or the science of Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Dr. Dean Ornish had also shared the insights of relationships and love and the impact on Cardiovascular Disease, the potential to reverse such disease…with among other things, LOVE.

So, above all, love yourself…first and foremost…yourself….and if needed….begin with forgiveness. Forgive yourself first, love yourself first…and then forgive others, so that is not a barrier to loving unconditionally. (more…)

There will continue to be many definitions (or partial interpretations) for the term wellness. In a “nut-shell”, I define wellness to be inclusive of Wholeness, Healing, Health and Well-being.

I further believe that it does not need to be all- inclusive or “optimal health and well-being”, all the time to be on a wellness journey. There is often a focus on one or two at a time. For example, while not exercising, or eating right, someone could be intensely focused on improving relationships with their family…which could enhance their feeling of Wholeness…and ultimately their feeling of well-being as they let go of guilt and resentments…and sense the peace, serenity…and change in brain chemistry…possibly from then on. (more…)

To Be a Man

    When you can rise above your
    fears to conquer every challenge
    that comes to those who dare
    to climb the highest heights;

    When you can keep on getting up each
    time you’ve failed or been knocked down;

    When you can see your greatest strength
    lies in your faith and gentleness,
    your greatest courage in admitting
    your faults, and with God’s help
    strive to overcome them;

    When you can accept responsibility
    for resolving all your hurts and break
    the chain from generations past;

    When you can know and show a father’s
    love and feel with all your heart;

    When you can love yourself, others
    and God more than earthly gain,
    or fame and recognition, you will,
    my son, be then a man—
    and indeed a great man at that.

                                  © Dick Innes

There is often times we face insurmountable obstacles…those issues to which you see no end…or to for-see what lies on the other side. There can be great height, depth and/or width to certain barriers to effective communication (many times this is true in families with many siblings), one could use the metaphor or visualize the Great Wall of China. Most will be able to appreciate that this was a great engineering feat in its time and tooks several years,…lots of blood, sweat and tears…to construct. Many do have such massive issues and piles of “stuff” that they seemingly feel they need, to protect themselves. If we were to envision a historic solution, for getting past life’s obstacle…one could labour a life-time and never accomplish the feat of “tearing down” the Great Walls, in our relationships or ability to find self-love or acceptance. In relationships, it is easy to imagine that if both parties help contribute to the building of the barrier, one could be on the opposite side “reinforcing the wall” as quickly as the one in search of forgiveness, removes a brick or two.

Now I share the visualization and “mystic transcendence”. Ancient peoples once believed that their spirit could transposed into that of an animal. What many First People’s have suggested that they choose the spirit of the eagle…as it flies highest, sees the most, and achieves getting closest to the creator. If we do spread our wings and take flight we could soar over any barrier, and land on the other side unscathed. The other side, which could represent “unconditional love” is what our true nature represents. We do have a choice to love, we have the choice to forgive, we choose to be kind…and generous. We choose our destiny and our legacy.

May you consider “taking the flight of transcendence” as you read this and BE well,

My definition of wellness, is expanded conciousness and realizing wholeness, healing, health and well-being.

Love,

Dave

I am clearly in the right place at this time…to be provided daily with inspiration for living, learning and loving. What is happening in my family, my Father’s struggles, and the wisdom I have been exposed to in recent months has been inspiring to say the least. I cannot share by name the many patients, family members and their stories, but they are all close to my heart.

Transplantation literally represents a new lease on life, while there continues to be issues or set-backs that require additional inner strength and incredible support by spouses, partners and other family members. What I have witnessed (and my beloved colleagues, many with many years in this special environment) is incredibly diverse and complex, in the aspects of care but also so many additional considerations, such as cultural, spiritual and obviously emotional.

May all consider responding and sharing their journey…and with enough time, experiences and connection there is more than enough reasons to start a website that is dedicated to “Living with an Organ Transplant”

As with all the online communities I have facilitated, the inclusion would be of those Domains of Health, the Physical, Ecological, Emotional, Intellectual, Social, Inter-relational, Cultural and Spiritual. Again my interpretation of Wellness is, Wholeness, Healing Health and Well-being.

I encourage all that have experience in working with those that have been recipient of transplantation,…please consider this a welcome invitation to partnership in a very valuable project…please contact, comment or Blog…as you would on andy site…submit your name as a potential partner (this is patient, family or practitioner I am talking about) and we can set a goal of helping others in just a few short months.

“let’s get’ er done”

Dave

I want to thank all you have been asking about my Dad,…yes we made it (he made it on his own two feet)…to his 80th Birthday. Perhaps that was all he was waiting for…or has resolved that he may not get to see his oldest son, our Brother Ed…one last time. Ed’s oldest Jeff, made it to the 80th celebration of an incredible life. WE were so Pleased, Dad was so pleased. Jeff shared with much sincerity, that he was not provided with the chance to get to know his Grandfather better. He deeply regrets that. With Dad’s passing, there will be continued feelings of regret…some may feel personal guilt, in not resolving issues in the hear and now…and holding on to “old hurts”. (more…)

Will my journey to discover more of the heritage of the Normal School (developed an power point for future presentation)…I give you the analogy of the ABC’s (expanded version) and a new page on Community Development…click the links in the left column.

Off the get ready to celebrate Dad’s 80th. Celebate a life tomorrow, honour someone you love, someone you cherish…

Dave