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.

Day 298 – The Individuality of Healing

"The heart of all creativity is the awakening and flowering of individuality." John O'Donohue

Healing
   O'Donohue's language can be easily adapted to loving care. The heart of healing others depends upon our ability to awaken our individual gifts. We need to engage the Love that flows through us, not simply copy the approaches dictated by others or administer the cold rules of protocols. 

   Every caregiver is taught a set of skills that support effective physical treatment. But, once pills have been given to treat a digestive disorder, or surgery has been administered to remove a diseased gall bladder, or counseling has been offered to a victim of violence, what else can caregiver's do?

   Patients and special caregivers know the answer to this. Even though it's part of the treatment protocol, it's not much comfort to a rape victim to have a doctor read her a set of warnings about sexually transmitted diseases and then leave the room. The gift of healing flows from the caregiver's ability to engage his or her individual gifts of Love.

   The power of caregiver presence is chronically underestimated. The more technology that arrives, the more the human role seems to diminish. A right balance must be restored. 

   Obviously, only humans can engage loving relationships of the kind that help those who suffer. Our individual humanity is affirmed when we engage it to help heal need.

   How do you transcend rules to engage your gifts of healing?

-Erie Chapman 

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3 responses to “Day 298 – The Individuality of Healing”

  1. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    With any form of support, I believe emotional caring should also be included. As you state above, one can offer structured protocols (responses) to meet a person’s circumstances, however love and caring must be incorporated to ensure all considerations for a person’s healing.

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  2. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Generally, rules guide…but do not dictate. Trust with a listening heart, Love will guide…but will not control.
    I say, I am not an expert… let’s ask Love… and begin anew.

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  3. Marianna Avatar
    Marianna

    “What else can caregiver’s do?”
    After reading this posting I started thinking about the busy telemetry unit I work on. Almost every shift I hear nurses huffing and puffing that the patient will not leave them alone. I also felt this way for many years until I began placing myself in the patient’s shoes and treating them as though I would want to be treated. Once I began going beyond just taking the vital signs and giving the patient their medications I started feeling excited to come to work the next day. I have learned that just asking a patient if they would like another blanket makes a big difference in caring for a patient. Even taking the time to shampoo a patients hair has left my patients in tears of joy. This posting not only made me think of what else I can do as a caregiver, but reminded me that our presence really is underestimated and that we do have the power to make a big difference in the life of another human being.
    Thank you,
    Marianna Nemirovskyg

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