Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Recent Posts

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Days 340-342 – Open Forum on Being a “Moment-Maker”

   In a comment posted today, Karen York, Executive Vice President of Nashville-based Alive Hospice, talked about the things she does to brighten the days of strangers she encounters in various transactions. What struck me as particularly loving is that she continues to offer kind gestures whether or not she receives a kind response in return.
   Many of the jobs people do in America can seem repetitive and mind-dulling. Those doing this kind of work may appear, sometimes, to be in a trance – as far from presence to life as they can be. They are doing a difficult kind of work. How do you help brighten the days of others?
   To share your thoughts, click on Comment, below.

-Erie Chapman

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6 responses to “Days 340-342 – Open Forum on Being a “Moment-Maker””

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    A few friends in my life seem to show up, unexpectedly, sometimes at seemingly inopportune times. It may be at the end of their workday and they come by to visit me. Perhaps they appear with an invitation to go share in a meal. These spontaneous gestures tend to throw me off balance for a moment until I pause and say…. yes! I have come to appreciate the value of seizing these moments as I realize there nothing more important nurturing friendship.

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  2. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    My co-workers would jump to say that I am an energetic and sometimes too excitable person. But I think laughter and being light-hearted can remind you that a day is filled with camaderie, joy (when successful) and the balance of challenges, with not-so-great moments. We can’t have everything – but be grateful with what we do have.
    Ironically in yesterday’s national news, it was revealed that laughter is contagious. That’s a great thing, because we do need to smile and laugh, especially with the challenges in the economy and workplace, and in places where the struggle to get through the day can be overwhelming.
    So, I hope for continued spontaneity and opportunities for laughing, hugging and enjoying life. It’s too short to miss these types of opportunities.

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  3. Rosemary Thomas, R.N. Avatar
    Rosemary Thomas, R.N.

    In the Health Profession, it seems as though there are a countless number of times each day to brighten someone’s day! I mainly talk with patients, family members, Drs. and their assistants, case managers, and every now and then a fellow co-worker in the office. When someone calls in, the most important thing seems to be the need to be a good listener so you understand what the caller needs. If it is Drs. or their ofice staff, finding out how to help them get the referral to us. Usually this means taking the time to write up a Telephone order with the Dxs and faxing it for a signature after you have listened to the problems the patient is having so you can have all the disciplines checked off that will expedite all the services needed to be done in as timely a manner as possible to prevent delays in care, so the field nurse doesn’t have to get further orders after the fact.
    When a family member calls in, being a good listener so you can let them know you will contact the patient’s Dr. to get the necessary orders to help them as soon as possible. Doing what you can do to take the pressure off those calling in seems to be the most helpful with most of the calls in our department. They have a problem, so they call us — what can we do to fix the problem?
    When we get a demographic sheet which states the patient is Catholic, it is even easier to take the stress off the family and patient! I merely state that I noticed on the Demographic sheet that the patient is Catholic. Did they receive the Sacrament of “The Anointing of the sick” while they were in the hospital. If they haven’t, I tell them how to get this Sacrament for their loved one and to just tell their Parish Priest that a nurse told them to call and let them know it wasn’t an emergency, but they would appreciate receiving “The Anointing of the Sick” as soon as it is convenient for the Priest.
    One young patient with a recurrent brain tumor had complications of infection and the husband had called to see what number he needed to call if they had any problems on the way home which would delay the IV at home. I explained the above to him and he was so thankful and said they would get her this Sacrament before she left the Hospital so that she WOULDN’T have any problems on the way home.
    With co-workers, smiles and hugs seem to relieve the tensions in the work place. I am thankful for each opportunity to help those in need each day.
    Thank you, Liz, for forwarding this Moment Maker column!
    Rosemary Thomas, RN

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  4. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Day 341:
    This morning I finished reading a book called “The Shack” by William Young. My friend, Doris Hand who visits this Journal, thought it a story I’d enjoy. She was right! Suddenly, I find so many others are reading it as well. I highly recommend this book because it addresses many age-old questions that theologians have grappled with for centuries. Questions such as, how could God allow bad things to happen to good people; to those we love? Why does God allow so much suffering in our world. Why weren’t my prayers answered; why didn’t God intervene? The author uses his gift of story telling to respond to these difficult concepts in easy to understand manner. Contained within these pages is a beautiful gift just waiting for you to open and receive.

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  5. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Day 342: ” God is a verb.”
    Such a simple statement with potential for a profound transforming impact. Author Jean-Claude Koven explains in an article called,”Where in God’s Name Did We Go Wrong”
    “Once I viewed God as a verb instead of a noun, my perception of life shifted. Everything around me, manifest or no, became God. There was only God. When someone spoke to me, it was with God’s voice; when I listened, it was with God’s heart.. As you begin to view God not as the creator but as the constantly changing dance of creation itself, you’ll discover him in everything you see – including yourself. The old you – that fish swimming blindly in search of water – fades away as you dissolve into the simple meaning of it all.”

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  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    P.S. The above quote, “God is a verb” comes from R. Buckminster Fuller. He led an interesting life. His little girl died of spinal meningitis and polio. Fuller blamed himself for her death and fell into the pits of despair with alcohol use. He thought of ending his life but shifted to dedicating his life to making life better for humanity. He has many inventions and focused his work on renewable energy sources and low cost energy efficient housing. He became famous for inventing the geodome shelter.
    His life ended sadly. He went to visit his hospitalized wife who was dying. She had terminal cancer and was in a coma. Suddenly, he stood up and said, ” She is squeezing my hand!” He had a heart attack and died three days later. His wife died 36 hours after him(Wikepedia.)
    What impressed me about Fuller was although he was struck by tragedy, he rose up from his anguish to live life, as a great quest, for the betterment of others. I believe his awareness of God’s presence in all helped him to accomplish this.

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