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 312-316 – A Healing Time & The Power of Catch Phrases

Callas fading two -chapman   In 1978 famed stress expert Hans Selye addressed the American Hospital Association.    

   "I've written over twenty books on stress & health," Dr. Selye told us. "My publisher said I had to reduce my work to a simple brochure." (The audience chuckled.) "Then my publisher asked me to condense my message to just one catch phrase." The audience laughed harder & waited expectantly.

   "Strive for your highest attainable aim but don't put up resistance in vain," Selye announced.

   We condemn sound bites…and we live by them (even as we recognize that no phrase can communicate the beauty in fading flowers.) "Make America great again." "I'm with her." 

   Is it the world's complexity that favors Tweets over thoughtful analysis? Politicians, particularly Donald Trump, understand the power of catch phrases. He is a genius at transforming otherwise decent folks into lynch mobs with a few words. Notice how he takes unproven allegations against Hillary Clinton, labels her "Crooked Hillary" & then goads his crowds into chants of, "Lock her up."

    Health care is also rife with catch phrases that affect health. My favorite was spoken by magazine editor Norman Cousins who encouraged the sickest among: "We are so much stronger than we think we are." He knew whereof he spoke. He had survived a terminal diagnosis by defying his doctor's advice & healing himself with laughter.

   Caregivers can engage their healing skills in the wake of this election stress. Consider the healing in Beth Ritter-Conn's ten word phrase, "…healing has to begin where hurt has been the greatest."

   Here is a four-word condensation of my life work: Live love, not fear.

   Saint John, however, needed only three to deliver history's finest catch phrase: "God is love." 

-Erie Chapman

Photograph by Erie

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6 responses to “Days 312-316 – A Healing Time & The Power of Catch Phrases”

  1. Anne Milligan Avatar
    Anne Milligan

    That’s just wonderful, Erie. Thank you for the sage words and reminders!!

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  2. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    “Even as we recognize that no phrase can communicate the beauty in fading flowers.” Such an exquisite image of beauty and a lovely commentary juxtaposed amid the paradoxes of life. Four words condensed into your life work surely expresses the core essence of why we are here. From which lens do we look? Some moments it is love and others fear. Awareness and willingness to see through the lens of love is an intentional prayer that our world needs to heal. Thank you, Erie. Healing prayers on the eve of this election. God bless us all!

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  3. Padre Dave Poedel Avatar
    Padre Dave Poedel

    For the record, Erie, I have no use for Donald J Trump, but you statement that he turns an audience into a lynch mod is a bit too hyperbolic for me. As my theological Tradition teaches ,but seldom practices, that we should always put the best construction on things. Your feelings about DJT have been well publicized and that is great. That said, exaggeration in words can be really hurtful to those who look to him for leadership out of exasperation and despair.
    I write this as a huge fan of yours, taught your philosophy of health care using your textbook. One thing we can agree on is that the election will be over today….I pray.
    God’s richest blessings to you!

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  4. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    Thank you, Padre. My passion regarding Trump is grounded entirely in my view that Trump represents the opposite of everything I stand for and that, presumably, you do also. His leadership is antithetical to everything in my books that warn leaders not to bully, boast or insult. When someone goads a crowd to shout “Lock her up” and the crowd repeats this the crowd does, indeed, become like a lynch mob and any distinction is slight rather than substantive. When he shouts four-letter words to crowds and screams about wanting to “punch people in the mouth” he is signaling violent approaches. There is much more to oppose about the language and approach of this dangerous candidate. NO one who believes in God’s love should to look to this man for leadership.
    It is also true that we need to embrace each other for healing during and following this election. This is not a time to hate the man but it IS a time to disown and oppose his language and his actions with all the strength and firmness our Christian tradition teaches.

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  5. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    Thank YOU, Anne.

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  6. Chapman Health International Avatar
    Chapman Health International

    Your affirmation and specific support is so gratifying, Liz. Yes, “Healing prayers on the eve of this election. God bless us all!” And, in particular, God bless YOU.

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