Stories From The Road

Book Recommendation: Mindfulness For Beginners

I have so enjoyed finally finding a book that offers a door, an introduction into mindfulness that makes it understandable and accessible. In my peerwork I have discovered...there is truly a silent, interactive and mutual relationship that exists between two persons. 

Whether that person we support remains at peace and supportive, many times is based on whether we as peers are at peace, calm and at home with ourselves. Greater self-awareness gives way to greater abilities to attend, notice, understand, listen and support others. Mindfulness for me has allowed more room for others to be fully present in my life.

Jon Kabat-Zinn has done  his pioneering work at the University of Massachusetts where he is founder of its world renowned Stress Reduction Clinic.  He offers in this book the proven benefits of mindfulness practice, including: stress reduction, alleviation of depression, chronic pain relief, and more in his book "Mindfulness For Beginners".

 

He offers in this book the key attitudes and essential practices what he  has found most useful with his students, including:

• Why heartfulness is synonymous with true mindfulness
• The value of coming back to our bodies and to our senses over and over again
•  How our thoughts “self-liberate” when touched by awareness
•  Moving beyond our “story” into direct experience
•  Stabilizing our attention and presence amidst daily activities

Find out more about the book at Amazon or at your local bookstore.

Book Review: Person-Centered Recovery Planner for Adults with Serious Mental Illness

I wanted to share a resource that I have found helpful that comes closer to being person-centered and closer to a recovery-orientation.  It is Person-Centered Recovery Planner for Adults with Serious Mental Illness by Catherine N Dulmus Professor and Associate Dean for Research of the School of Social at the University of Buffalo NY and Bruce Nisbet MD at Kroser Keystone Health Systems in PA.  --(Note: phrase mental health challenges preferred).

Providing a succinct overview of the historical roots, philosophy, and practice of person-centered recovery, Person-Centered Recovery Planner for Adults with Serious Mental Illness is organized around the three stages of recovery—Beginnings, Moving Forward, and Leaving Your Practitioner Behind—yet still allows both the individual and practitioner to revisit any of the three stages during the ebb and flow of an individual's recovery journey.

Sample recovery plans are included, covering the individual's status, personal priorities, short-term objectives, and recovery steps, and are organized around common recovery goals including:

• Self-advocacy
• Family relationships
• Health and wellness
• Community involvement
• Stress management
• Relapse prevention
• Personal crisis planning
• Transportation
• Social relationships
• Meaningful activities
• Life skills

A companion CD-ROM provides all of the plans found in the book in an easily customizable word-processing format. Person-Centered Recovery Planner for Adults with Serious Mental Illness assists practitioners in becoming effective person-centered facilitators and advocates for recovery that meaningfully supports individuals in achieving their hopes and dreams.

To find out more about the planner click here.

Compassion Starts With You

 

A Thought Experiment:   Isn't it interesting...how justified we feel in beating ourselves up when we fall short or make a mistake (maybe some of you are beyond this...good on ya' mate).

For the rest of us... (chuckles)...Where is that same "internal committee" to throw the party when we have done a great job or accomplished a milestone in personal growth or professional development? 

Question: Why are we so quick to offer kindness to others and so slow to offer this same gift to ourselves?

I have been reading "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion"  by a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School Dr Kristopher K Germer. Dr Germer lays out in this book the importance of responding compassionately to our own imperfections without judgement and self-blame. He offers other helpful strategies in cultivating self-compassion on the path to our own healing.

As an important first step in doing this, he offers (what I think) is a helpful exercise in beginning to cultivate self-compassion in one's own life. From his website Mindful Self-Compassion he offers several helpful resources including a handout he offers in his workshops entitled "Writing A Compassionate Letter to Myself". 

Some of the important steps in how to write this letter include:

1. Begin by trying to write about an issue you have that tends to make you feel inadequate
2. Try to feel your emotions exactly as they are-no more, no less- then write honestly about them
3. Think about an imaginary friend who is unconditionally loving, accepting, kind and compassionate
4.  Imagine that this friend has the ability to see all your strengths and weaknesses-including the one you have chosen to write about
5. Write the letter from the perspective of what that friend would say to you in kindness
6. Try using questions like these to guide your writing (develop your own if you like):

• What would this friend say about your flaw from the perspective of unlimited compassion?
• How would this person convey compassion in the way that you are choosing to judge yourself?
• How would this person suggest understanding and positive steps towards change if they are needed?

Choose to infuse your letter with acceptance, kindness and care. Try and put it down and come back to it. Be patient and take your time to get in touch with your feelings and developing your internal compass to point away from self-blame to self-acceptance and compassion.

The Takeaway:  To be a peer support specialist is a demanding and taxing career choice. We work in a field of great opportunity and also great change and uncertainty. There will be mistakes and failure made.  They are woven into the fabric of offering support to others.  Before we can offer kindness to others...we must first offer that same kindness to ourselves. 

You cannot give what you do not have. Compassion starts with you.

Be good to yourself and be well.