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.

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.

About

Days 130-131 This is dedicated to all who birth Love in our world.

May 8, 2010

Mom's Mandala by ~liz
Happy Mother’s Day!

A mother's love determines how
We love ourselves and others.
There is no sky we'll ever see
Not lit by that first love.

Stripped of love, the universe
Would drive us mad with pain;
But we are born into a world
That greets our cries with joy.

How much I owe you for the kiss
That told me who I was!
The greatest gift–a love of life–
Lay laughing in your eyes.

Because of you my world still has
The soft grace of your smile;
And every wind of fortune bears
The scent of your caress.

~Nicholas Gordon

National
Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence
Nightingale's birthday. The important role nurses play in the delivery of
health care cannot be overestimated. Patients and families and healthcare
ministries rely on nurses expertise, experience and caring nature every day.
Nurses Week provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the spirit of nursing
and acknowledge nurses tireless efforts as vital healthcare professionals.

“We assume that Love comes as a bright light, a
magnificent burst of energy before our eyes. But the older I get, the more I
believe that Love comes like the single candle on a night without electricity.”
~Michael Sullivan

Nightingales eternal lamp continues to burn brightly as it
is passed on from one generation to the next. Florence Nightingale was a great pioneer in the
field of nursing. Nightingale believed that every person who is drawn to ease
the pain and suffering of another is an instrument of genuine healing. What inspires and motivates us is her
dream of healing our world and this fuels the lamp of daily perseverance of
working for a greater good.

Happy Nurse’s Week!

Place Your
Healing Touch in My Hands

Help me as I care
for my patients today,
Be there with me,
O Lord, I pray
Make my words kind
–it means so much–
And in my hands place
Your healing touch
Let your love shine
through all that I do,
So those in need
may hear and feel You.

~Anon

Posted in Uncategorized

8 responses to “Days 130-131 This is dedicated to all who birth Love in our world.”

Bobbye Terry

May 8, 2010

Liz,
Love the Mandala! I also like that Michael Sullivan quote. I may need to quote it in one of my books.
Thanks for the message,
Bobbye

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Marily

May 8, 2010

My mom always recounted stories about us. The story about me that she emphasizes was my being a strong willed baby. I was lucky to have been breastfed. And that I demanded it throughout my infancy. She said I never allowed myself to drink anything but breast milk… even how hungry I was, I would wait for her to come home. Now I knew why, it was the comfort and love that I long for when she cuddled me… for the precious times I was held… I thank you my mother.
Growing up I felt close to her, once before she was crying due to some misunderstanding with my father… she took me with her to see a movie. While in the movie we both laughed and cried as the storyline went… now I knew why she brought me along, I was a comfort when she was down…
When my father frequented the hospital, my mom would bring me along to help her out. I loved it when I was needed in the middle of my sleep… there was this peaceful satisfying feeling in the night and to have assisted my father, then I would creep out the room after my task and observed the nurses… that was the start of my love for nursing… it was those times when I first knew, I was drawn to ease the pain and suffering of another.
Thank you my dearest mom, you were always there. Know that I will always be there for you too. God, please bless her now and forever.

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Barbara Mason

May 9, 2010

Liz, I probably miss you and your Manadalas most of all. As for love, and Mothers Day, there are 4 days that are more important than any other day on the calendar. Mothers day and the birth day of each of my children. On their birthdays, everyone, every year I call them all through out the day and tell them what I was doing 33 years, 27 years or 17 years ago that day, depending on their age. I remind them of the feelings I felt, both physical and emotional. I tell them of the tangible touch that I experienced, what they smelled like and what they looked like. I will never stop. I end by telling them as much as their birth also birthed an amazing love, I love them more that day. Mothers day I give each of them a gift, sometimes a note, sometimes time, but I remind them that only because they are here can I experience Mothers Day. I honor them. I hope that has helped them create a good solid self worth and self esteem. It is a gift that I wasnt given and I thoroughly enjoy giving. So to all you Moms out ther of any kind, enjoy your day and the gift given to you so that you could be bestowed the honor of Mother. God Bless You all

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Maureen McDermott rsj

May 9, 2010

Happy Mohter’s Day to all mothers and those who mother us in any way. It’s wonderful that Mother’s Day is celebrated universally on the same day – unlike Father’s Day. In Ireland I believe that Mother’s Day is called Mothering Day. Here in Australia many people are gifting Mum with a barbecue and if possible outside where the family can not only celebrate mothers and give them thanks but also share in the bountifulness of the Eternal Mother. May our God continue to mother us, nourish us and love us so that we become a source of nourishment and love to all we meet – a true mother.

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Erie Chapman

May 9, 2010

What a gorgerous mandala, Liz. It’s intricacy and detail contribute in elegant ways to the overall impact of the brilliant creation. Happy Mother’s Day to YOU.

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Suan Geh

May 9, 2010

Liz: Happy Mother’s Day. What a beautiful mandala you have created for all the mothers: the artistic and caring touch to each detail, so is your nature towards your children, patients and friends alike. In a physical sense I am not a mother but as a midwife I have helped the mothers bring into the world their precious babies. Oh! the expression of joy in their face as they hold and cuddle their little ones. Similarly it is a joy to see patients when they experience their rebirth in the Lord-some of them have travelled a long journey on earth to experience this joy they have long sought for. As caregivers our caring spirit and healing touch brings comfort to our patients sometimes in the midst of all the technical responsibilites we have to handle when attending to their care. Kudos to all the nurses and Happy Nurses Day. Keep the Lamp burning!

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~liz Wessel

May 9, 2010

Thank you one and all for sharing a part of you with me and Journal readers, a true blessing on Mother’s Day!

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Victoria Facey

May 10, 2010

Liz, what a stunning mandala and lovely tribute to your mother, and to all mothers and caregivers on that special day. I hope this was a plesant and loving day for you and all who are part of the Journal. (Also a nice recognition for Nurses Week…)

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