MODULE 1

Theme: Sweet Conversation

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD 

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

 

Conversation is a meeting of minds ... this is a short exploration of sweet conversation through the eyes of someone who loved her job and the people who helped her do it over 25 years.

 

Dear Friends

Looking back, the two people who most influenced me as a young person were my husband's mother and someone I worked for. She was a home-maker; he was a head-teacher. Despite the differences in educational attainment, job descriptions and life-styles, they were bound by a common humanity: a love of the preciousness of everyone. In addition, they were quite (quite!) clear on matters of love, truth and justice. Spontaneous, natural and joyful conversations ensued.

Conversation is a meeting of minds with different memories and habits. ZELDIN

Effect:
Moves mountains.

These sweet conversations are long-remembered not just for the wisdom imparted, but also for the humour shared, this conveyed by the twinkling eyes (of the one) and the quizzical lift of an eyebrow (of the other). On them, I tried everything out for size as I delicately explored and happily practised the art (and science) of classroom teaching. I had found my calling and my niche - so why wouldn't I be happy? For the entire 25-year span of my teaching career, I was encouraged, supported and counselled by gifted mentors. They also listened attentively ... with eyes, ears, heart (and mind). Moves mountains. Ask me.

When minds meet, they don't just exchange facts: they transform them, reshape them, draw different implications from them, and engage in new trains of thought. ZELDIN

Solution:
Conversational talks/conferences.

Research (and anecdotal evidence) informs us that public speaking sits near the top of life's most feared challenges. This brings me yet again to today's innovative young people, friends who stand tall and straight to speak out on issues often in variance with the 'conventional wisdom' in matters related to the mind.

Their immediate task is to hone to perfection a powerful method of communication, the art (and science) of public speaking. As they go about learning their craft, they are also practising listening and conversational skills. Inevitably, they are the creators and collaborators of a changing world - each and every one making a difference.

Conversation doesn't just reshuffle the cards: it creates new cards. ZELDIN

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Time to talk about the pros and cons pervading  ...

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

 

Is there a guru in the room ... ?

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN CD*

 

M1   FINISH

 

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M1   OPTIONAL /PRIVATE STUDY 

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/love-truth-justice

 

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   MODULE 2

Theme: I wonder

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD 

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

 

This is the magical story of a small child who came to her grandmother's rescue when the rest of the family had lost all hope. To cut a long story short, fear turned to love and a life was saved.

 

Dear Friends

It all started 25 years ago.

In 1989, I was 47 years of age, a wife and mother who combined her family life with a successful teaching career. I worked hard and played hard. Then one day, BANG! As suddenly as that I stopped dead in my tracks, unable to put one foot in front of the other and unable to speak.

Three years on, my will subsumed by psychiatry's chemical cosh, the voices began their earnest and seemingly unstoppable campaign to drive me insane. Over the next nine years they very nearly succeeded. Indeed, by early 2001, you wouldn't have given tuppence for my chances.

Fear (and voices) had overtaken my life. Now, as well as not being able to speak, I could not sleep, or eat. My weight plummeted to five stone. A silent, broken woman. To all intents and purposes, I was finished. Not long for this world.

No tears.
No respite.
No hope.

Imagine that.  And, then a miracle occurred.

Well, that's what it seemed like to me.  My granddaughter celebrated her third birthday in April, 2001. My son paid his usual weekly courtesy call with his reluctant small daughter in tow. My house was definitely not this child's favourite place. Her home was noisy - always full of people, full of life, full of colour, and full of fun. Mine is a quiet house, surrounded by tall, old trees and high, even older walls.

My house must have seemed more than a little strange, even frightening to this young visitor. On this occasion, she indicated that she wanted to speak with me. She led the way to the door with me trailing along behind - a sad, wraith-like figure. Suddenly, this speck of humanity stopped, barred my way with outstretched arm, and spoke the six words that saved my life.

'The password is I love you'.

And, this was the turning point for me. Thanks to one small girl who - of her own volition - offered a hand, I had my epiphany moment. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It was golden, the colour of love. After 12 nightmare years, I picked myself up, dusted myself down, and got on with my life - this to everyone's amazement.

Within the year, I was well enough to have become a regular at the Patients' Circle at a nearby NHS mental health hospital and had even started on the first of a long stream of Open University courses. This was to become occupational therapy - with style. My style.

I was by now nearly 60 and, taking one tentative step at a time, on my way again. Within a few months, I was made the editor of the hospital's wellbeing magazine and, thanks to my husband, acquired my very own home-office with computer, scanner, printer, telephone and other office sundries! My granddaughter became a regular and now willing visitor - God's little helper in person. Over time, she helped transform my house into the home it had always secretly been.

For years, we played endless games of hide and seek, invented imaginary friends, ran races in the garden, climbed trees, ate ice cream, fed the hens, collected eggs, dug up potatoes, ate peas from the pod, painted faces, and drew pictures. Despite the generation gap, my granddaughter grew into my best friend and I became happy again.

My decision
It was time to change.

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Time to talk about the pros and cons of the possibility of  ...

POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH

 

Is there a guru in the room ... ?

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN CD*

 

M2    FINISH

 

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M2  OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY 

 http://www.krysan.org/index.php/a-heartwarming-tale

 

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   MODULE 3

Theme: I am grateful

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD 

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

 

This is an account of how iPads can be used in health care, being especially useful to those who don't get out much for whatever reason. A creative experience like no other!

 

Dear Friends

What follows is an email to a dear friend, a gentle soul whose life is challenged day and night by intrusive voices that others do not hear. As if that was not enough, her distress is compounded as she also lives with memory loss. This is my considered response to a heart-felt cry for help - an invitation to join 'a revolution in health care'.

iPads in health care ....

The one 'thing' I have found indispensable to my mental health is an iPad. Indeed, many elders - with or without 'a mind that plays tricks' - are realising its worth. For instance, some folk who hear voices (and there are many) store their favourite songs on their iPad and switch on whenever the voices become too intrusive. They thereby drown the voices out or even switch 'the story' from fear to love.

Although I am aware that buying an iPad may in itself present a challenge, I also know this is the very best advice I can give. Let me count the ways: an iPad gives me access to email, a camera, films, news, research, and (even) my very own website! My favourite App (application) is TED which enables me to watch videos from around the world on ideas that matter; I also have PAGES for word processing; and NOTES PLUS for jotting things down.

Easily available through the on-line Apple Store are many more Apps which are either free or surprisingly inexpensive. Like the iPad itself, all are simple to use. I can also buy books (my passion) and read them through iBOOKS and the little iPad screen is back-lit for ease of use. I am sure you have many young 'experts' in your family who (like my granddaughter) will always assist when all else fails. The 'guys and gals' at Apple are always ready to help, too - that's a given.

One of the most profound observations made by scientists recently is that adult brains are more adaptable and capable of change than was once thought, this through 'neuro-plasticity'. Give the brain something new to grapple with and it will make new connections. As long ago as 2008, UK researchers suggested that when people learn new skills new brain cells bring into play pre-formed circuits that were wired but not yet fully functional.

For me, my iPad is the best technological investment I have ever made. I know it would be equally life-enhancing for you. And, through watching you enter into a creative experience like no other, for your family, too. iPads are both personal and inter-generational. At the very least, listening to one's favourite music from the past must be better than being so distressed in the present.

At the very most - who knows?

Worth a try ...

Highly recommended
Apple sold 70 million iPads in 2013
Join a revolution
iPads in health care
_____________________

 

Time to talk about the pros and cons of investing in ...

AN iPAD/A MEMORY BOX

 

Is there a guru in the room ... ?

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN CD*

 

M3   FINISH

 

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M3   OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY

 http://www.krysan.org/index.php/an-ipad

 

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    MODULE 4

Theme: A Kiss from a Rose 

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

 

A PhD student shares what she learned about the Power of Reminiscence Poetry to assist those with cognitive decline. Restoring personhood and dignity was just one of the aims. 

 

Exploring the Power of Reminiscence Poetry to Assist those with Cognitive Decline. Foreword by a Granddaughter (RVA) in a little book called, 'Daisy Poems'

"Recent research shows that poetry provides a medium for those with dementia to speak out about their experiences of living with the disease. Those like my grandmother with medium-state dementia who can no longer write poetry can be assisted to do so. After hearing a talk by John Killick, a poet, who has made 'poems out of the world of people with dementia for the past fifteen years', I decided that I would try to co-facilitate poetry with Granny. She was keen to write poems with me.

"The wider context of our being together and having a cup of tea was crucial to creating and sharing the poems. Therefore I made a point of starting the poetry session each time with this. I then suggested to Granny a theme such as 'going to the seaside when a child' and we explored this memory together. After that, we started the poem.

"If Granny had difficulty thinking of a first line, I asked leading questions: Why did you like going to the seaside? Did you take a bucket to the seaside? What colour was it? Usually and after a short time, Granny got into a flow, and she did not need me to ask leading questions as often.

"These poems all record Granny's own words. I just wrote down what she said. I read the poem aloud back to her as it grew, so that she would be reminded of what she had said. Afterwards I gave Granny a printed copy of the poem. The poems offered helpful benefits by enabling Granny to convey the subjective reality of dementia and by restoring personhood and dignity." (RVA)

Poem 1.

My Room is My Castle

by Wendy McNay

My room is my castle.
It has three solid walls,
and a fourth, with a big window.
It is very warm and comforting
and sometimes I'm alone in it
and sometimes I have friends with me.
It's a very good way of living
when you're old and getting tired,
because always the situation can fit
your present needs. It has moveable walls
and a very high ceiling
and if you wish you can reach for the stars.
With the stars come many, many memories
of a life that was young
and not so young and very old.

Poem 2.

My Childhood held Lovely Memories

by Wendy McNay

A day at the seaside had lovely memories.
A bright new metal spade,
     a large red-blue bucket that held enough water
     to fill the moat built around the sandcastle.
Searching for something to make a flag on top
     and then building a moat
     with a drawbridge at the opening of the castle.
Hastening to fetch enough pails of water
     to fill the moat before the sea actually
     reached the castle.
And then watching the waves become nearer and nearer
     eventually to consume the scene.
Then a clean palate
     and we could build again.
______________________

 

Time to talk about the pros and cons around  ...

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

 

Is there a guru in the room ... ?

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN CD*

 

M4 FINISH

 

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M4   OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY

 http://krysan.org/index.php/roz

 

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    MODULE 5

Theme: People of Gold 

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

 

Every day words of wisdom travel the globe. This cameo is from Hawaii and addresses the need for each of us to revisit our relationships (past and present) through eyes of lightheartedness and joy.

 

Relationships revisited.

Today, I received a timely prompt via Alan Cohen in Hawaii to revisit all my relationships (past and present) through the eyes of lightheartedness and joy. I was reminded that the nature of love is freedom and empowerment. It is about play, delight, and celebration. It is about supporting each other to be ever more passionately creative.

So, with all of this in mind, I proceed on my merry (highly creative) way! No problem. Bit of a plan!

10 October 1915
29 October 1915

The above are the dates of birth of my parents. Do the maths and you will see that October 2015 is a special month for me and my family, a month of celebration - two 100th birthdays. I mention this publicly because my parents were special people - the salt of the earth. Despite the sorrow, poverty and hardship of their early years, they grew into people of gold.

Joe and Betty (my parents) seemed instinctively to know that relationship was never intended to be heavy, constricting, and soul-consuming. It is never about projecting need and blame and judgment upon others or ourselves. Yes, there is life beyond processing. If there is one purpose to relationship, it is to empower each other to be more comfortable, confident, and alive in who we already are

I am asking you to pause a while throughout your day to take a heart-reading. Ask yourself, "In this moment, is my heart light or heavy? Am I pandering to the fears of others, or proceeding from my inner strength? Have I given my power to appearances, or do I remember the truth?"

The lesson is the same for all of us:
enjoy your life.

Everything else is details. Forget about the ugly monster waiting to devour you; he is a figment of somebody else's imagination. Your own imagination can take you to far brighter places. We have been taught that spirit and matter are different, but they are not. Matter is an expression of spirit, and in the end, the only thing that matters is spirit.

World-class mythologist Joseph Campbell coined the term "Follow your bliss." Campbell also said, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are".
____________________

Time to talk about the pros and cons around the saying ...

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS

 

Is there a guru in the room ... ?

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN CD*

 

M5 FINISH

 

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M5 OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY 

  http://krysan.org/index.php/hidden-in-plain-sight

 

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 LP1/page 8 (of 8)

 

   THE READING ROOM @ Krysan.org

 

e-MAGAZINE/MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

 

Download - Reality - Here be dragons

 

We all hold views that we may be forced to evaluate in the light of new evidence.

 

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 ENRICH @ krysan.org™

 

THEME    

People of Gold (2)

 

ROOT

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/hidden-in-plain-sight

 

BRANCH 

This tells of a Durham coal miner (my father) who entertained his family and workmates in song throughout the 1950s.  Great singer with a ready wit in the manner of the famous Irish tenor, Josef Locke. 

 

• The above is an opportunity for you to shine.  
• Create your own enrichment module.  
• Epiphanies wanted. Apply within.

• Interest: 1,903 hits @ 2016-01-11
• Who could have wished for more?  
• Thank you.  Marian