~Introducing Special Guest Priya Soni~
~The Caregiving Effect LLC~
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Within twenty-four hours of his passing, we had contacted a pundit (a person who has mastered Hindu rituals) to bless my father's body before cremation. This ritual along with a Tibetan prayer by one of our caregivers helped us sit with the grief. It started the building of a bridge towards acceptance of this momentous transition. We followed this occasion by witnessing cremation and holding a church service where others could share in the remembrance of my father's life. In an unexpected but needed next step, my sister and I designed our own mala beads that included a rudraksha (a common bead found on malas) from a necklace my father had worn for many years. It was our way of holding a sacred attachment to him and welcoming the new by the process of creation. Allowing myself to move through all of these rituals, sometimes gently picking myself up from the heaviness of it all, encouraged my healing.
Grief is universal but how we navigate it is not. Whether you are staring at the door of grief, placing your hand on the knob or moving through the other side, grief is unequivocally one of the most colorful terms we as a human force are a part of. It can roar vociferously, be quiet and withdrawn, accepting and nurturing or resilient and unwavering in its stance. In whatever way it makes its way to your heart, it is personal and uniquely yours which is ultimately what makes it universal.
Ritual is the lighthouse to grief. Its voice summoned me to emote, to write, to create and to rise up in this world. Part of this exploration encompassed rummaging through my life's course. I wanted to know who I was and how I was capable of witnessing and caring for my father throughout his twelve years of illness. What had this experience of caregiving made of me? Essentially, I ruminated on the question of, "who am I?" I certainly was not the same young woman prior to my father's illness.
Story is medicine as many indigenous cultures believe. I grew up with stories providing the narratives for me to comprehend more about the Hindu customs and traditions, which was also a means to connect to the deep rooted nature of my parents struggles and fulfillments as well as my own. I have often reverberated back the power of these stories in moments of healing and reflection.
We have within us generations of stories that have survived and made its place within our families, communities and souls. As caregivers, we have critical influence in that the messages of our stories are passed down to the generations that will follow. As we care for the many in our lives, we also must devote care to how we share our stories with ourselves and with others. With that, we leave a valuable legacy in which our stories delicately and authentically serve a purpose in confirming the worth of persevering through life. Truly embodying this care is the genesis of ritual.
I am the Founder and CEO of The Caregiving Effect LLC, a platform and service launched to create a space for adult children who have cared for their parent(s)/parental figure(s) due to aging, illness and/or disability. My mission is to build a movement of mentors, Caregiver visionaries, who are utilizing the insights and wisdom from their stories as a tool to help the many who will or are walking the path of Caregiving. Through my coaching and mentorship, adult children turn their unexpected role as caregiver into a role of a lifetime—The Caregiving Effect (#thecaregivingeffect).
Priya Soni, MA (Disability Studies)
Priya Soni, MA (Disability Studies)
Website: http://www.priyasoni.
Facebook: The Caregiving Effect LLC
Instagram: @priyasoni
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Zentangle by Jan Steinle
This was my first real exploration of the pattern ‘Yuma'. I spent some time on the shading and loved how it turned out. I think Mom, an accomplished artist in her own right, would have loved Zentangle. This one’s for ‘You Maw’ (Yuma)! Miss you!
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"The Artistry of Caregiving, Letters to Inspire your Caregiver Journey" Written from my heart to yours, to help you navigate the emotional journey of caring for another. The book has a unique format. Six chapters and 33 Letters, designed to read on the go, in no particular order. I wrote this book out my experience as my Mom's primary Caregiver for several years and now my Dads. My journey was difficult, stressful, lonely and I felt very isolated and withdrawn. I wrote this to bring comfort to Caregivers of all ages. I wanted to let you know you are not alone, you are understood and I hope this book makes you feel connected, appreciated and affirms all that you do. Caregiving is not an easy job. It can be quite demanding and stressful. I created this book to be your daily companion.
The paperback edition is due out this month, including a Kindle update at launch. The new version will have 40 images in it, 37 are Zentangles to affrim and support you. If you don't have time to read, nor focus, you can look at tangles that will inspire you and lift you up and help you meet your daily demands with energy, embracing all that comes your way.
~Where Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight~
Best Wishes,
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