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 – 226-227 – Re-Visiting “Silence”

[Note: Below is a short essay I first posted to the Journal in November, 2009. It is the first time I can recall re-running something and I hope it is helpful to you both this day and beyond.]

In silence we must wrap much of our life, because it is too fine for speech. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hospital
   I reflect, just now, on the millions of patients lying in silence in hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. We are born into the company of our mothers. We may well die alone. 

   Yet, whether we are surrounded with legions or attended by a single caregiver, silence will still, as Emerson writes, "wrap much of our life." And most of us don't know words that can begin to describe the texture of our innermost selves.  

   What is the quality of your silence? How much of your thought-life centers on lists of things to do and how much of your mind floats towards reflection and ideas?

   Caregivers offer some of their best healing through silent presence. It is often not our words that heal but the love in our eyes, the kindness in our hands, and the way we stay near to a person in pain.

   What is the color of your silence?

-Rev. Erie Chapman

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4 responses to “Days – 226-227 – Re-Visiting “Silence””

  1. Karen York Avatar
    Karen York

    I’m glad you found this treasure silently resting in the archives. Its message is timeless and endures through all the noise that prevents us from hearing our calling, and the whispers of those in need.

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  2. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    I love the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote. I think it would be fun to look back at how we readers responded to this reflection back in 2009 as compared to today. I imagine the responses might be quite different depending on where we were/are at that moment in time.
    My life is suddenly changing in unexpected ways…I am being called to move out of my comfort zone in a big way. I’ve treasured my mornings and the time I’ve carved out for reflection, meditation and this Journal. I recognize that change involves new stressors. In the past, I reacted by peddling faster and working harder, and harder, and forgetting about me. I could easily drift away from my times of silence and self-care. I want to resist that temptation and not give in to unhealthy patterns.
    I am forever grateful for the continual gifts offered here in this Journal because I gain renewed clarity on what really matters each time I visit. It has been a tremendous benefit to me and you have helped me through some difficult times without your even knowing. The meaningful impact you have had on my life and that of our Journal community is significant. ♥♫♪☼

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  3. xavier espinosa Avatar
    xavier espinosa

    A few centuries ago when I was first learning to drive, my late father whose wisdom still astounds me to this day, would sit silently in the back seat while I drove the wrong way into a one way parking lot, attempted three point turns in twenty points. On my first attempt at mastering the freeway, I drove the off-ramp with the car’s front driver’s side bumper scraping the guardrail as I maneuvered the circumference of the exit ramp. Once we had safely exited, my father simply commented- “Boy if the brakes hadn’t stopped you, my stomach muscles would have.”
    I think of how many occasions I was given the privilege of witnessing life changing events in the lives of the patients that I became involved with; from their presenting problem through their diagnosis, treatment and disposition- which ever manifestation it presented. As I grew into the maturity of realizing my role in their illness, I saw the importance that my silence played in the reception, acceptance and participation in their disease process. More powerful than any word that could be uttered was the sincerity of the looks, facial expressions and breathing that we shared. These simple moments provided hope, may have engendered despair, but more importantly echoed sentiments that reached deep within and linked with theirs.
    Even now as I encounter my own difficulties, I seek those exchanges from others and likewise am cognizant of the power that exists in my own silence.

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  4. Marily Avatar
    Marily

    I love the sounds of silence, in the break of dawn there is this special feeling of freshness with serene welcoming breeze that I long for from time to time. Waking up early on my days off, I can get this in my backyard, or sometimes spent with my sweetheart on our way to the crab market at the beach. When at the hospital and I am not busy with work, I have a few minutes, a chance to stick around patiently waiting for the daybreak and enjoy the sweet smell of newness and the undisturbed calm that it brings. I have encountered patients who requested to be awakened before the sunrise, understanding the reason behind, I comply with appreciation and honor.
    In the hospital most especially at night, we caregivers, are to provide a quiet restful environment that enhances sleep and healing. Though there are inevitable events that hinder this, there are also careless times that we coldly take no effort in keeping our voices low. In the heights of our laughter we forget there are people trying to get their equilibrium as they heal in their beds. May we always be mindful of the importance of silence as we work in the night or anytime of the day for that matter. As we do this healing flows through, still in our silent presence… in the love in our eyes, the kindness in our hands, and in the way we stay near to a person in pain, afraid and confused or dying.

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