WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Welcome to the SevenPonds.com blog – a community-driven extension of SevenPonds.com! I hope you find comfort and community in the resources and stories featured here. I’m always happy to hear from readers and can be reached at suzette@sevenponds.com.
FEATURED
-
Buddhism and the Eastern Middle Ground: In Buddhist tradition, our death falls into a plane of existence that continues even after our final breath -
10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know" />
10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know: NHPCO stresses that hospice is about living fully, not preparing for death. -
Man of Many Faces" />
Man of Many Faces: A niece says goodbye to her favorite gay uncle, in whom she confided about her own sexuality
-
Tag Archives: Health
What is End-of-Life Counseling? An Interview with Kathy Jacobson (Part 2 of 2)
How end-of-life counseling can ensure a peaceful transition
Kathy Jacobson is a body worker and life coach in San Francisco, who also works as an end-of-life counselor. I sat with her to discuss her entry into this burgeoning, and much needed, field of therapy. Most people do not … Continue reading
Book Review: “Closer Than You Think” by Deborah Heneghan Discusses After-Death Communication
Revealing true stories and techniques for connecting with loved ones on the other side
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to connect with a loved one who passed away? Better yet, have you ever experienced communication with a deceased loved one? If so, then you’re not alone. In Closer Than You … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
Tagged After Death Communication, After Death Communication Signs, Angel, Connecting with Loved Ones on the Other Side, Death, Deborah Heneghan, Faith, Grief, Grief Loss and Bereavement, Grief support, Grieving, Grieving Your Own Way, Health, Kübler-Ross model, Loved One, Mental health, Natalie, Spirituality
Leave a comment
What is End-of-Life Counseling? An Interview with Kathy Jacobson (Part 1 of 2)
"I shared with her what I believe – that the material world is just the tip of the iceberg, and that your spiritual body is tenuously encased in your physical form – though I held a space for her own beliefs and didn’t push mine onto her."
Kathy Jacobson is a body worker and life coach in San Francisco, who also works as an end-of-life counselor. I sat with her to discuss her entry into this burgeoning, and much needed, field of therapy. Most people do not … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Arthiritis, Coaching, Death, Dignitas, Dying, end-of-life, God, Health, Jacobson, Parkinson's disease, Reiki, San Francisco, Switzerland
Leave a comment
How Can Holistic Healing Help You Cope With Grief? An Interview With Carol Harada
Five different holistic healing approaches that can guide you through the grieving process
Carol Harada is the founder of The Fluent Body, a holistic healing approach that communicates with the body’s inner wisdom through the language of physical sensations, emotions, movement, and metaphor. Carol has a background in arts and healing, hypnotherapy, meditation … Continue reading
How Do We View Aging in Our Society? An Interview with Dr. William Thomas
The Eden Alternative program eliminates the plagues of long-term care facilities for elders
Today we talk with Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard-educated physician, board-certified geriatrician, author of Tribes of Eden and founder of The Eden Alternative, a program that seeks to remake the experience of aging around the world. After years of working in … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Aging, Assisted living, Elderly care, Health, Nursing home, Senior Health, The Eden Alternative
1 Comment
Give A Care! Holiday Campaign Thanks Caregivers for Their Dedication
This holiday season, show a caregiver you know that you appreciate their year-round efforts
You probably don’t have to try too hard to think of someone who takes time out of his or her life to be a caregiver for aging parents, disabled children, or other loved ones in need. We all know someone. … Continue reading
What is degriefing? An Interview with Lyn Prashant
The degriefing specialist focuses on healing not only the mind but the body during times of loss.
Dr. Lyn Prashant is a certified grief counselor with over 24 years’ experience in the field. Her training in bereavement counseling and her knowledge of somatic health care practices (she is a certified yoga instructor, massage therapist and physical education … Continue reading
Talking to Kids Facing Death
Reporter shares the stories of families who have faced this difficult conversation
Last month, Chicago Tribune writer Barbara Brotman was tasked with writing a story about new research presented in Chicago on “a particularly uncomfortable subject” — how to talk to kids and teenagers about their possible death. The research found that … Continue reading
Posted in Something Special
Tagged Brotman, Chicago, Chicago Tribune, End-of-life care, Health, Hospice, Loss of a Child, Teens
Leave a comment
Book Review: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen
A bestselling memoir that explores aging and the lessons we learn along the way
Let’s put it simply: I’m still young. I have no concept of what it means to age. I do know, though, that it can’t be that bad if more and more positive reports keep popping up on the bestseller list. … Continue reading
H.I.V. Prevention Justice Alliance Joins Caring Across Generations Coalition
Changing the Way We Care in This Country
New York – The H.I.V. Prevention Justice Alliance announced April 17th that they will be joining the new movement, Caring Across Generations, a national coalition of organizations including women, disability rights, older adult, worker, community, youth, student and caregiver organizations. … Continue reading
How to deal with loss of a loved one? Interview with Pediatric Oncology Social Workers
Helping Children and Families Cope with Serious Illness, Loss, and End-of-Life
When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, a myriad of medical, physical, financial, psychological, and social issues are suddenly thrust on a family. While doctors and nurses are busy at work with medical treatments, these medical social workers stand by to field the psycho-social concerns of patients and their families. Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, Children, Family, Health, Health care, Loss, medicine, Pediatric, Psychology, Social Work
2 Comments
Remembering My Father
Coming to terms with my father's end-of-life experience
This is Hugh’s story as told by Katie Ryan… My father lived with Parkinson’s disease for twenty years before he died and it progressed very slowly. He was diagnosed at the age I am now and died at seventy-two on … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Ad hominem, Caregiving, Conditions and Diseases, Cremation, Death, Dying at Home, Health, Hospice, Parkinson's disease, Support group
Leave a comment
An Interview with Rebecca Katz: Part One
Nationally-recognized food expert speaks about cancer and the power of nourishment
Rebecca Katz is a chef and nutritionist who specializes in cooking for cancer patients and survivors. She is Executive Chef at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s Food As Medicine and CancerGuides Professional Training Programs, and is visiting chef and nutrition … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, Cancer Treatment, Caregiving, Dealing with an Illness, Food, Health, Nourishment, Nutrition
1 Comment
Book Review: Jane Fonda’s “Prime Time”
Taking a positive look at the way we age
Jane Fonda, one of the most admired actresses in Hollywood, has released a new book called Prime Time: Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit–making the most of all of your life that might just change the way we think about … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
Tagged aging well, Death, Dying, end-of-life, Green Burial, Health, Jane Fonda, positivity in death, Prime Time: Love
3 Comments
Interview with Rie Nørregaard of Omhu
The Design Company's Creative Director Sheds Light on the Intersection of Design and End-of-Life
Omhu is an innovative company that celebrates good design because “it’s life-enhancing, and it’s fun.” By creating exciting choices for products to support people as they age, the company hopes to also help change the way people feel about aging … Continue reading
Remembering Her Life
Caring for my mother-in-law in her final days
This is the story of Candace, as told by Katie Ryan. I didn’t know my mother-in-law very well before she moved in with us. It wasn’t my choice, actually; my husband just knew we were the only ones who could … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Aid in Dying, Cancer, Caregiving, Cremation, Death, end-of-life, Health, Hospice, Losing a Parent, Loss of a Loved One, Mother-in-law, Parkinson's disease, past life
1 Comment
Interview with Dr. Duncan, Part Two
Diving deeper into her work and the grief process
Read part one of my interview with Dr. Lael Conway Duncan, where we discuss her work at Good Medicine, integrative medicine, and the emerging practice of private medical advocacy and guidance. Katie Ryan: What are some specific situations you’ve had … Continue reading
What is Commonweal? An Interview with Susan Braun
SevenPonds learns about the healing community of Commonweal
Susan Braun’s extensive background in the healthcare and non-profit fields have made her a great addition to the Commonweal team as they increasingly contribute to the end-of-life conversation. Susan, now Commonweal’s Executive Director, has led The American Society of Clinical … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, Commonweal, Healing, Health, Health and Wellness, Susan Braun, The New School
3 Comments
What I Remember
The life-long impact of my mother's death
This is the story of Roger, as told by Katie Ryan… When we moved from a small town in upper Michigan to a neighborhood just outside Detroit, I was nine years old and the youngest of four boys. It was … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Cancer, Christmas Eve, Death, Detroit, Grief, Halloween, Health, Loss of a Loved One, Michigan, Mother, Unexpected Loss
3 Comments
Lessons in Passing
My Week with a Chemotherapy Patient
I was introduced to Janet* through a friend. The relationship was intended to be professional – she was looking for help around the house for a week after a chemotherapy treatment, and I was looking for any work that would … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Cancer, Chemotherapy, Health, Life lessons, Recovery
Leave a comment