Listening for understanding
December 2023 | Being connected
Communicating is not easy at times, and that's when dementia is not even on the radar.
Disagreements, confusion, clumsy expression are all ways our ability to communicate can be compromised. But communication is a two-way street. It takes more than our own 'words' to be effective. It takes the ability of someone to not only 'hear' the words, but the ability to listen and understand.
Disagreements, confusion, clumsy expression are all ways our ability to communicate can be compromised. But communication is a two-way street. It takes more than our own 'words' to be effective. It takes the ability of someone to not only 'hear' the words, but the ability to listen and understand.
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Read More…Keeping your cool
October 2023 | Being connected
Have you ever found yourself getting frustrated with someone? I have. I became very angry with my father years ago when he was starting to display some forgetfulness. My anger wasn’t directly with him as such, but with what he had said to me. Then there is a friend of mine, with whom I can become quite cross at times.
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Read More…We live in an 'ex-presso' society
June 2023 | Being connected
It seems more and more people want the 'quick fix'.
To coin a term a friend uses, we live in an 'ex-presso' society. For him the term refers to the need for being quick, being fast - fast food, express delivery, self-service at supermarkets, petrol stations, and train stations. It's all about speed, all about lack of attentive service, all so we can speed through our lives, creating more and more stress.
When something is wrong we tend to want the 'quick fix'. No wonder mental health issues and loneliness are on the rise.
To coin a term a friend uses, we live in an 'ex-presso' society. For him the term refers to the need for being quick, being fast - fast food, express delivery, self-service at supermarkets, petrol stations, and train stations. It's all about speed, all about lack of attentive service, all so we can speed through our lives, creating more and more stress.
When something is wrong we tend to want the 'quick fix'. No wonder mental health issues and loneliness are on the rise.
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Read More…Dementia as a Pilgrimage
March 2023 | Changing dementia
"Take up your staff and follow me."
From Moses to Jesus we have been implored to pick up our staff and follow. The prophets before Jesus, then Jesus himself, urged us to bear witness. So too can any person living with an advancing dementia say, "Take up your staff and follow me."
Dementia can teach us much - all of us - those living with a condition and those not at the moment. It is not new to believe that dementia can teach us. But each person's travels will be different. Where the person living with the dementia leads will take each of us down a different, although possibly similar, path. But the lessons will be unique. So let's reframe dementia into a pilgrimage. A journey into the spiritual, where we find a connection with the Other.
From Moses to Jesus we have been implored to pick up our staff and follow. The prophets before Jesus, then Jesus himself, urged us to bear witness. So too can any person living with an advancing dementia say, "Take up your staff and follow me."
Dementia can teach us much - all of us - those living with a condition and those not at the moment. It is not new to believe that dementia can teach us. But each person's travels will be different. Where the person living with the dementia leads will take each of us down a different, although possibly similar, path. But the lessons will be unique. So let's reframe dementia into a pilgrimage. A journey into the spiritual, where we find a connection with the Other.
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Read More…New Year, New Banner
February 2023 | New starts
Welcome to a New Year, A New Start
January 2023 | New starts
It's a brand new year and I hope it is a peaceful and purposeful one for all.
As a new year brings new starts for many, you will also find the website has undergone some changes and I hope you enjoy it! Read More…
As a new year brings new starts for many, you will also find the website has undergone some changes and I hope you enjoy it! Read More…