Embracing Your Life workshops

We had our first workshop today. Sarah Parsons lead us in exploring words. We wrote 3 sentences about an object that we brought to the workshop. The sentences were then cut up into words. We were then asked to remove any words that we thought we didn't need. These words were then placed in the middle of the group and then offered to other members of the group to use if they wished.

This started us thinking about the stories we had to tell. Next Cate McCarthy encouraged us to find images of things that held associations for us in a range of magazines. We began to make collages which we could incorporate the words wrote, drawing, stories ....... we will work on these next workshop on 14 August, 2009. Other people are welcome to join this workshop. Participants enjoyed sharing their stories and trying something new.

The Dying Man and the Vulture

Hi Everyone

In this poem Kahil Gibran creates an inner dialogue between man and death which shows a process of acceptance of death and the letting go of life. For me the poem captures the essence of a peaceful/natural death based on acceptance and faith in nature. Although the "Agony Overwrought" sounds like he needed an earlier referral to his local palliative care providers for good symptom control!!

This poem offers much to reflect and ponder on and has so much beauty and strength I thought I would share it with you.

I'd be very interested in hearing anyones comments on this poem.

THE DYING MAN AND THE VULTURE

Wait, wait yet awhile, my eager friend. I shall yield but too soon this wasted thing, Whose agony overwrought and useless Exhausts your patience. I would not have your honest hunger Wait upon these moments: But this chain, though made of breath, Is hard to break. And the will to die, Stronger than all things strong, Is stayed by a will to live Feebler than all things feeble.

Forgive me, comrade; I tarry too long. It is memory that holds my spirit; A procession of distant days, A vision of youth spent in a dream, A face that bids my eyelids not to sleep, A voice that lingers in my ears, A hand that touches my hand. Forgive me that you have waited too long. It is over now, and all is faded:

The face, the voice, the hand and the mist that brought them hither. The knot is untied. The cord is cleaved. And that which is neither food nor drink is withdrawn. Approach, my hungry comrade; The board is made ready. And the fare, frugal and spare, Is given with love. Come, and dig your beak here, into the left side, And tear out of its cage this smaller bird, Whose wings can beat no more: I would have it soar with you into the sky.

Come now, my friend, I am your host tonight, And you my welcome guest.


Kahil Gibran

Kahil Gibran

HI Everyone

I read this beautiful poem today about Death by Kahil Gibran, and I thought others may also take some comfort from these inspired words.


Death XXVII by Khalil Gibran


Then Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."

And he said:

You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

Lily D

Embrace Your Life

Daffodil Cottage Specialist Palliative Care and Cancer Services
(Greater Western Area Health Service)

“Embrace Your Life” Workshops.

Four workshops focusing on “object making, writing and computer skills” are being offered. The workshops will be run by 2 professional artists and supported by the Bathurst Arts Health coordinator, Palliative Care Nurse Consultant and a Social worker. The aim of the workshops is to help people tell a story. Participants who wish to can publish their work on the “Waving Not Drowning Blog” sponsored by the “Greater Western Area Health Palliative Care Service”. This Blog aims to offset the potential for isolation experienced by many Palliative patients and their carers.
The workshops are intended to promote the development of skills in creating objects and story telling. The groups will be led by 2 local artists with much experience in helping people explore their own unique creativity.
Each workshop will be 2 hours long with a light lunch and tea/coffee provided.

Where are they being held?
Daffodil Cottage: Cnr of Howick and Commonwealth st’s. Bathurst.

Who can come along?
Anyone who has (or has had) a life threatening condition.
Anyone who is caring for a person with a life threatening condition. (or who has cared for someone with a life threatening condition)
A limited number of spaces are available for Palliative Care volunteers.
There are 20 spaces available.

When do they start?
Each workshop will be two hours long, the workshops are free to all participants and art materials will be provided. Workshops will start at 11.00 am and finish at 1.00pm.

1st
Workshop
24th July

2nd
Workshop
14th August

3rd
Workshop

28th August
4th

Workshop
11th September

How do I Register?

Fill out a registration form and hand it in at the administration desk at Daffodil Cottage. You need to get your registration form in quickly otherwise you might miss this opportunity to have some fun!

For all enquiries contact: James Daley CNC Palliative Care on 63395631