Holistic Nursing and Wellness Services

Bridging Science and Spirituality

June 17, 2008

Welcome to the June 2008 edition of Tips and Notes. I hope you are enjoying this monthly publication. Your feedback including questions you would like answered, are valued. Please send them to marieknapp@dallacor.com.

I hope you will forward this to friends and colleagues who may enjoy this newsletter. People reading this as an email from a friend can easily subscribe to receive it monthly by going to the subscribe page on the web site.

Past issues of “Tips and Notes” can be viewed on my web site. Just go to www.dallacor.com.

To read what is being offered through DallaCor, please scroll to the end of this message.

June’s Message

It isn’t the weather or garden planting that has kept me from getting this newsletter out. Nor is it work related busyness. I am delighted to share with you an exciting personal event in my life. We are now the grandparents of twins. Our son and his wife, who live in Calgary with their first born son, Oliver, now 22months, June 4th delivered 2 more sons. Kyle and Russel weighed in over 7 pounds each. Amazing.

Each time I look at these little fellows, I am amazed at the capability of a woman’s body, to house and grow for 9 months two beings in what had been a small pear shaped organ not much bigger than my fist. I love holding them close and helping with their daily necessities. It is wonderful to watch our son be comfortable with all aspects of their care. I notice how he so admires the strength of his wife and how deeply he feels admiration and a little sadness for all she has had to “go through” in having the children. In some cultures, having twins would be seen as some reflection of the father’s masculinity and virility. Here our young men have a unique sense of admiration for the strength and stamina of their wives. Once again I feel blessed to live where we live.

I am also grateful for the medical care we have available to us here, even in these times of restraint. When a woman experiences risks as in birthing twins, I am aware of the numbers of families that would be going motherless because of where they live and the resources not available to them. Something that we take for granted. How often even those of us who have spent time in developing countries forget that most of the world exists at a far simpler and less resourceful way than we do.

What are our responsibilities to those with whom we share life on this planet? We have so much. How do we best share with those less fortunate? How do we offer support, without judgement or expectations, but just because we share life at this time?

Keep well by taking charge of your health.

Bridging Science and Spirituality

I have recently been inspired by the writing of Gregg Braden. His most current book called The Divine Matrix reveals interesting recent research that opens a new world of possibilities about how we are all connected and how we can affect the future. He speaks often of “the space between” summarizing new research that acknowledges the “something” that does exist between the small percentage of matter that comprises the universe. It is one of the few books that continue to expand on what is revealed in the first few chapters rather than simply repeating it in yet another way. Likely I will finish reading the book with more questions that answers. That is what makes it so inspiring. perhaps a sample of the content of the first few pages may spark your interest.

Among his many descriptions and examples of the hologram is the following”

“The elegant simplicity of the human body offers us a beautiful example of a hologram, one that’s already familiar. The DNA from any part of our bodies contains our genetic code– the entire pattern of DNA — for the rest of the body, no matter where it comes from. Whether we sample our hair, a fingernail, or our blood, the genetic pattern that makes us who we are is always there in the code … it’s always the same”p xiii

In another part of the book he writes:

“…when the focus of our lives becomes how to avoid disease rather than how to live in a healthy way, how to stay out of war rather than who to cooperate in peace, and how to create new weapons rather than how to live in a world where armed conflict has become obsolete, clearly the path we’re on has become one of survival. In such a mode, no one is truly happy — nobody really “wins.” When we find ourselves living this way, the obvious think to do would be to look for another route. And that’s precisely what this book is about and why I am sharing this story.” p8

This only touches on the real meat of this book. I would be interested in knowing your feedback on the book after you have read it.

Workplace Wellness

Last issue, I shared with you a model I use to help me find solutions to challenging situations. I find the benefits exceed what might have been had I used an either/or or a compromise solution. The model takes the shape of a three dimensional pyramid (Some say a Pyramid has four sides but I work with three at the moment) .

Using this model began a couple of decades ago when I realized that when trying to decide between one plan of action or another that often there is a third solution that is not a compromise but rather a different plan. Something that often if there are people in a polarized conflict, a third solution that is totally different ends up more pleasing to both. It seeks to understand what both “sides” really want to achieve. In so doing, a more inclusive solution results. There is a level at which everyone really wants the same result.

Last issue, I examined work-life balance using this model. I began with the premise that both organizational commitment to creating a healthy workplace culture as well as willingness of employees to take responsibility for their health are important in making a workplace wellness program work. However it came to my attention that there are still challenges with these two factors in place.

I referred to a third factor that likely contributes significantly (forming the three-pointed base of the pyramid). Perhaps there are several factors that could be the third point. I am putting forth the notion that attention to the core beliefs that are held may block achievement of the level of workplace wellness aspired to.

Some core beliefs belong to individuals at all levels in the organizations. Some beliefs may be more inherent in the organization, subtly communicated through system policies or expectations. These may be evident in how and when people are rewarded, for example. It is like inviting people to a celebration where you ask “no gifts please”. But when people bring gifts, you acknowledge them openly with enthusiasm, rather than quietly and alone.

When someone’s actions bring benefits to the organization or show commitment to a project, while the quality of their work is worthy of acknowledgement, it gives mixed messages to also reward the behaviours that might be classified as workoholic, unhealthy or out of balance.

Openly complimenting a person for staying late, working weekends, or taking on significantly greater work demands is not congruent with a workplace that highly regards health, wellness, and good work life balance. Commitment to healthy workplace, means an organization examines what is rewarded in terms of awards, letters of recognition, bonuses, and other types of acknowledgement. In such a review, attention can be given to quality of work, creativity, attention to details, depth of understanding, caring for people, and other values professed by the business or organization.

I am interested in your feedback on this and other aspects of workplace wellness.

Stress Assessment

Are you interested in examining the level of stress in your life? You might wonder why you would bother to do that. Some people have told me that to do so would simply add to their stress level. This is particularly true if the person feels there is nothing he or she can do to diminish that stress.

I would like to suggest two possible measures of stress that I have found useful. Both assessments not only reveal your areas of stress, they also point out to you your areas of strength. It is important to be aware of your strengths in terms of stress management. Your focus on them and developing them further is likely to better guide your actions to stressless living than focusing on the vulnerable areas. Give it a try. You have little to lose.

  1. StressMap is a well researched stress assessment questionnaire that not only helps you evaluate the stress in your life but also guides you in ways to work effectively with your vulnerable areas. Because it also identifies your areas of strength, you may be surprised to discover qualities you have that serve you well in the area of stress management. These areas , when developed and used more consistently can actually positively impact the other areas. For more information you can go to www.stressmap.ca. I have StressMaps available from my DallaCor office. you can use them on your own or as part of a stress management program with DallaCor.
  2. The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook fifth edition by Davis, Eshelman and McKay open with several questionnaires to guide your personal assessment of the stress in your life. The book devotes several chapters to different step-by-step instructions for stress management techniques. The book is available at most book stores ISBN-10 1-57224-214-0. I find the material in this bookuseful with clients either as a resource for them to use or as a resource I use in individual sessions with them.

The book described above lists 8 steps toward mastering your job stress

Step 1. Identify your symptoms of job stress

Step 2 Identify your sources of your job stress

Step 3 Identify how you respond to your specific job stressors.

Step 4 Set Goals to respond more effectively to your job stressors

Step 5 Motivate yourself

Step 6 Change your thinking

Step 7 When in conflict, Negotiate

Step 8 Pace and Balance Yourself

You may find the workbook style material on each step useful in managing your stress and building resilience. I would offer that energy work might also be useful within this process.

 

What’s Up At DallaCor

Individual Sessions

I plan to focus my attention on individual sessions as I complete the work on my Holistic Nursing Specialization Level 2. I love the program and the learning and application of a variety of ways of working with energy to help people enhance their well-being in illness and in health.

You may wish to look at my web site to learn more about what I do in this area. It continues to change as I learn more so keep checking. I attended the Institute part of the program end of May in Calgary and will have more to offer as I move into the practicum period of my learning.

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Mentoring Program: Human Energy Systems

This module of the Mentoring Program will be offered in September and early October 2008 over 4 weeks. It includes three group sessions and one individual session in which you decide the focus. Interested people should let me know what times work best for you and I will work on finding a time that accommodates most. (mornings, afternoons or evenings and what day of the week).

I am currently studying the second level of the Holistic Nursing Specialization course through the Canadian Holistic Nurses Association. Besides energy therapies such as Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and Healing Touch, the program includes using light, colour and sound as vibrational means to work with and help balance the chakras. The fall module of the Mentoring Program will include some of the learning from this course.

The module will be a guide through some basic learning and experiences with the energy fields, including the seven major chakras with their distinct energies. The module is meant to give you some experience with your own energy and the energy of the other participants. The focus is on self care and self healing in daily living and life challenges. For more details check my website

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Reiki

I have had several requests for Reiki Classes and will offer Level 1 in September and Level 2 in November. If you are interested in either or both of the above, could you let me know what time of day and what days of the week you can be available. Check my web site in August for dates and times.

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Journey Though the Chakras
What an enjoyable day we had with a group of wonderful people dancing through each chakra, journaling with each one and sharing some of their insights. Mostly it was an experiential day. The participants were deeply involved in the music and the inner quiet reflections. Thank you to all of you for making that day a success.

If you are interested in hosting this workshop for at least 15 people in your community, let’s talk. Contact me marieknapp@dallacor.com or Wendy Roman at rhythwood@amtelecom.net Previous experience with Nia is not a prerequisite.

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Retreats

I have offered several retreats over the past 10 years. I have a busy year ahead of me with several travel commitments as well as the practicum work of the second level of the Holistic Nursing Specialization course. I have decided to take a break from my usual planned retreats this year. However, I am offering my availability to lead a retreat for you if you have the people, the venue and the food. If this appeals to you and you wish to talk more about it, send me an email and we can set up a time to talk. I would be particularly interested in a retreat focused on self care using energy and the chakras as well as quiet time, reading, meditation and outdoor experiences.

I am planning another Wellness Retreat for May 2009. More information later in the summer. Let me know if this interests you.

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I look forward to hearing from you. Please use the comments section below or email me at marieknapp@dallacor.com and I will respond.

I wish you many blessings and a healthy and wholesome summer,

Marie

Filed Under Dallacor Notes, Tips & Notes 

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