Team Houck: Celebrating Christmas!

Team Assisted Care: Christmas Fun!

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Courtney and Christian Phipps celebrate Christmas with the residents! They brought cookies, smiles and hugs, and it was such a marvelous addition to our holiday programming.

Team Assisted Care: Christmas Community

Christmas Community The sights and sounds of the Christmas season are abundant in our communities. If we were to stroll about the village square, we might observe a holiday story hour at the local library, the Nativity scene in the park, the festive community Christmas tree, and many other symbols and activities of the season. How connected are we to these happenings? Do we really take in what is before us? Can we actually smell the gingerbread as we pass by the bakery? Do we let the colorful lights of the storefronts stir our imaginations? Are we inspired by the nostalgic music at the school concert? Or are we merely going through the motions, consumed by all the season dictates? Perhaps we have been too preoccupied to notice how our communities have been transformed or to consider how we might personally be transformed by Christmas? What about our expression of faith at this time of the year? Is time for prayer and service a part of our daily routine? How connected are we to others and to the Lord? Whether we reside in a rural, an urban, or a suburban setting, Christmas makes its presence in our community. It happens whether we are ready or not, involved or not. Wherever we find ourselves this Christmas, let us strive to be touched, even changed, by the season. First, we need to pause and reflect on the various communities we are a part of – civic, work, religious, school. Then we need to consider how our presence and participation might make a difference. If we shared our gifts of self, took a genuine interest in others, and were involved in acts of compassion and service, perhaps our communities would be reborn. During this holiday time, let us encourage people to slow down, reflect, and pray. Also, by example, we might challenge others to participate in the season rather than merely witness it. Let us now engage our hearts to foster peace and celebrate life. May we become profound participants rather than seasonal spectators in our communities this Christmas. Written in 1995 by Sue E. Hannon of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Starting Point #32: Spiritual Wellness Starting Point Library

Spiritual Wellness Starting Point Library · Minute meditations http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Minute/ · Meditation http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070 · Meditation video http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/MM00623 · Major religions of the world http://www.typesofreligion.com/christianity · Learn to be compassionate http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/03/28/learn-to-be-compassionate/2091.html · Boost your health with gratitude http://women.webmd.com/features/gratitute-health-boost · Conflict management http://www.wright.edu/~scott.williams/LeaderLetter/conflict.htm · Peace of mind tips http://www.successconsciousness.com/peace_mind.htm · Letting go of bitterness and grudges http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131 · Stories of kindness http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/Stories/Member-Stories.html · Grieving process: is crying required? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/grieving-process/AN01649

Starting Point #31: Spiritual Wellness Questions

Spiritual Wellness Questions to Ask Your Medical Team, Mentor, or Clergy Name___________________________________________Date: _____________ Spiritual Wellness Basic Questions Yes No Notes What is spiritual wellness? Why is spiritual wellness so important for my optimal well-being? Do I have a problem with my spiritual wellness? Is it possible to become spiritual when others around me are not? Specific Questions Notes Do you have to be perfect to be spiritual? Can I have spiritual wellness no matter what? Can I still have spiritual wellness even though I have made bad decisions or judgments in my past? Do I have to join a religious organization to be spiritually well? Do I need to change how I currently worship to achieve optimal spiritual wellness? Do I have to forgive everyone and everything in order to be spiritually well? Medical Does spiritual wellness improve overall health? What is meditation? Spiritual Potential How can I identify and use my personal gifts for the greater good? How can I learn to love myself, so that I can love others? How can I practice harmony and peace? How can I learn the truth about spirituality?

Starting Point #30: Spiritual Activity Readiness Questionnaire- SPAR-Q

St. Leonard Wellness Program Spiritual Activity Readiness Questionnaire- SPAR-Q This questionnaire is one of the first steps to take when you are planning to evaluate your spiritual wellness. The SPAR-Q will help you decide whether or not you may need to seek outside support from your medical team, mentors, or clergy to begin the sometimes emotional process of improving your spiritual wellness. Having other professionals involved in your spiritual improvement plan is a good idea, as they can help you with the change process. Please read the questions carefully and check YES or NO opposite the question if it applies to you. If yes, please explain. YES NO ____ ____ 1. Has anyone ever said that your life's patterns and pursuits are not consistent with what you say your values and beliefs are? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 2. Do you find that your choices in life are not always faith-based? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 3. Do you find time for reflection or meditation only if there is nothing else to do? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 4. Do you hold grudges or seek restitution? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 5. Do you find that you are sometimes jealous of another's gifts and/or accomplishments? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 6. Do you sometimes have trouble giving and accepting kindness? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 7. Do you sometimes participate in gossip or the spreading of rumors? Yes______________________________________________ ____ ____ 8. Do you have events in your life that keep you from pursuing your spiritual wellness? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 9. Do you blame the behavior of others as a reason not to pursue your own spiritual wellness? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 10. Do you sometimes strive for chaos and challenge others in unhealthy ways? Yes, ________________________________________________ ____ ____ 11. Do you have trouble with self-identity and making your spiritual wellness a vital part of who you are? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 12.Do you have trouble with grieving in a way that supports your optimal well-being? Yes, ________________________________________________ If you answered NO to all of the questions above, it gives a general indication that your spiritual wellness is stable. You may now wish to keep a journal of your spiritual wellness. This journal can act as a teaching tool for others who may need your help in this area. If you answered Yes to any of the above questions, then you should evaluate the issue and develop a plan for improvement in this area. Seek outside support as often as needed, and remember that change can be difficult if it occurs in isolation or without a network of support from friends or family.

Starting Point #29: Spiritual Confidence Survey

St. Leonard Wellness Program Spiritual Confidence Survey On a scale of 1-5 rate your spiritual confidence v I recognize my personal gifts and the gifts in others 1................2...........................3................4.......................5 Unsure..................................Sometimes...............Most of the time _____________________________________________________________________ v I encourage others and assist with achievement of their potential 1................2............................3...............4.......................5 Unsure...................................Sometimes..........................Always _____________________________________________________________________ v I am able to give and receive love 1................2...........................3................4.....................5 Not always...............................Sometimes...........................Always _____________________________________________________________________ v I am a compassionate and caring person 1..................2..........................3.................4....................5 Not always............................Sometimes.........................Always _____________________________________________________________________ v I am filled with gratitude 1...................2.........................3..................4.....................5 Not always.............................Sometimes...........................Always Spiritual Confidence Survey The purpose of this survey is to begin your journey toward self-assessment concerning your optimal well-being. After taking this brief survey and adding your scores together, take a moment and reflect on your spiritual wellness. You will find that if your overall confidence score was high you will have a better chance to stay self-motivated and focused on your spiritual wellness. If your spiritual confidence number was low then you may benefit from strategies that help with your personal spiritual management.