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 and 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.

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Days 158-159 Breath

June 6, 2020

Breath Written by Rosanne Ponzetti

Breath

Practiced for centering

By those seeking presence.

Often taken for granted

Remembered only when

Anxiety stifles it

Busyness suppresses it

Fear destroys it

Or joy releases it.

Life depends on it.

Too often we hold it,

Forget our need for it.

“I can’t breathe he said.”

And it stopped

For him

And for us

In our horror.

Let this breathe

Become the one

That finally says,

Every breath

is a shared breath

Our breath

Is not for us alone

May we not breathe freely

Until all can freely breathe.

Artwork by Liz Sorensen Wessel

Posted in Uncategorized

8 responses to “Days 158-159 Breath”

Jolyon

June 6, 2020

Amen, I say to my Brothers and Sisters…Amen

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erie chapman

June 6, 2020

This poem by Ms. Ponzetti is the kind that can help change the world as well as the hearts and souls of each of us. I began to read it not knowing where she was headed. She “caught my breath” (literally) midway through and continued to compel my heart to her last lines. Your mandala goes so perfectly with this. You are a dear heart to bring this to us. It is one of you finest sharings.
Thank you, Liz, for helping so many to more “freely breath.”
…Our breath
Is not for us alone
May we not breathe freely
Until all can freely breathe.

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Sue Staley

June 7, 2020

I totally feel this with covid19 patients. only the 1% who go into SARS. Fighting for their breath is hard to see. being on 70-90% oxygen because if you go on the vent you probably will not make it. Proning or laying on the stomach totally helps reduce the oxygen load needed.
wearing the mask too is hard for I do not feel like I am breathing freely.

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Maureen McDermott

June 7, 2020

Thank you Rosanne for capturing the spirit of the moment through your words and thank you Liz for drawing us to the Centre of Life and our Living. May we remember always:
“I can’t breathe he said.”
And it stopped
For him
And for us
In our horror.
Let this breathe
Become the one
That finally says,
Every breath
is a shared breath
Our breath
Is not for us alone

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~liz Wessel

June 10, 2020

Thank you, Maureen, Rosanne’s poem is profound, simply written yet touches us to the core. Thank you for journeying with us during these difficult times. Your presence is so heartening.

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~liz Wessel

June 10, 2020

Yes, although the author was speaking to killing of George Floyd, I can see the connection as well with caring for people in the hospital and wearing those masks and PPE.
In home care the caregivers are wearing the face shield over the mask to conserve PPE and it was 100 degrees out today and wearing all the PPE is a big challenge for them.
Thank you for a lifetime of compassionate dedicated service Sue. You are a nursing hero!

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~liz Wessel

June 10, 2020

Thank you for the way in which you received Rosanne’s powerfully moving poem, Erie. So true, this poem”can help change the world as well as the hearts and souls of each of us…and I do believe it is effecting people in this way and she leaves us with hope and a call to action.”

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~liz Wessel

June 10, 2020

Amen and namaste, Jolyon

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