Posts filed under mental health
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE THROUGH SPIRITUAL EXERCISE IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE – Question Three
What does it mean to be free—especially in light of the ebbing of physicality, social connection, and self-respect? What illusions does aging dispel? Which illusions are the most difficult to let go? Is there a positive purpose to keeping some of our illusions? If so, which ones? Why have we allowed certain events, things, and [...]
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE THROUGH SPIRITUAL EXERCISE IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE- Question Two
How and why is waking up and breaking denial a pre-requisite for spiritual growth? Why do we want to stay asleep? What wakes you up? Has there been one particular experience that has finally awakened you? What do you think God wants to awaken you to? Is there a constructive role for regret, shame, and [...]
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE THROUGH SPIRITUAL EXERCISE IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE – Question One
Just back from the Fifth International Conference on Positive Aging entitled “Innovation in Positive Aging.” It was hosted by Fielding Graduate University and held in Los Angeles, California at The Center for Healthy Communities of The California Endowment. My colleague, Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. and I, Bob Weber, Ph.D., convened a series of five presentations on [...]
Harvard Medical School Conference on Aging
AGING Treatment Perspectives and Challenges November 4–5, 2011 • Friday–Saturday Radisson Hotel, Boston, MA Earn up to 14 continuing education credits/units (16.8 for nurses) An overview of cutting edge issues in the treatment of the aging population. Speakers include world renown physician Sherwin Nuland on the art of aging; Mark Moss on the neurobiology of the older [...]
MGH Senior HealthWISE: Spiritual Opportunities in the Second Half of Life
On Thursday, October 6, 2011, from 11 am to 12 pm, I will give an invited presentation, “Spiritual Opportunities in the Second Half of Life,” at the Haber Room of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston. Following is a description of the program. The possibilities for spiritual growth abound if you have the eyes to [...]
Second Annual MSPP Conference on Spirituality, Aging and Mental Health
Annual Conference on Mental Health and Aging Co-Sponsored by the Center for Mental Health and Aging, the Institute for Clinical Health Psychology and the Center for Psychotherapy and Spirituality at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology; Boston University School of Social Work; Smith College School for Social Work; Wheelock College; Heller School for Social Policy [...]
WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
Before you read more, first, think about your own definition of forgiveness. Write it down if that helps. Not too long ago I heard a story about forgiveness. There was a woman who was reported to have visions of God. The local church officials were concerned since it was upsetting many of their parishioners. The [...]
EVERETT WORTHINGTON’S REACH FOR FORGIVENESS
In struggling to come to terms with my aunt and her words and behavior toward my mother, the work of Everett Worthington on forgiveness was particularly useful. His ideas were and are anchor points for me as I continue to move from an unforgiving stance to forgiveness in my daily life. Briefly, here is Worthington’s [...]
REACHING FORGIVENESS FOR MY AUNT
Let me tell you about my experience of forgiveness toward my aunt. For a number of years I was able to avoid seeing her or talking to her. Nonetheless, I knew the day would come when I would be seeing her. It happened as I suspected at the funeral of my other aunt, the older [...]
REACHING FOR FORGIVENESS
In struggling to come to terms with my aunt and her words and behavior toward my mother, the work of Everett Worthington on forgiveness was particularly useful. I discovered his research on forgiveness when I began to explore George Vaillant’s idea about the importance of gratitude AND forgiveness for aging well. To me gratitude and [...]