Hineni

'Surrender' is not a swear word

I recently read an article about the difference between 'relinquishing' and 'surrender' and how they were not the same thing. For the life of me I can't tell you where I read that article or really what exactly it said, I just remember that the take away was that surrendering was not a bad thing. That it could and should be seen as empowering. Know when to say when. Know when to hand it over. 

Today what comes across my path? Another reminder that 'surrender' is not a swear word. Now I know putting up a video of Oprah might be cliche, but seriously, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't powerful. The Divine finds ways to send us messages that we need to hear. This is a message I needed to hear. I hope it's one that's meaningful to you as well. 

 

Lesson from a Forgiveness Teacher

I love the Greater Good website. It's chock full of articles, videos and podcasts on creating a meaningful life. I like to poke around read articles on love and forgivenss, happiness and compassion. It helps me not only to understand myself better, but also how to understand the dynamics of love and loss, something that's invaluable in my work. 

This article by Fred Luskin reminds us that being in relationships is messy because people are messy. We each bring with us memories of past hurts that in turn shape how we treat each other. Learning to see the good in those we love in moments of pain is a key component to forgiveness. 

More by Dr. Luskin:

The Choice to Forgive

Forgiveness Requires Gratitude

What would you change?

Your time is now. What do you change?

Last Words

I read this article today and it got me thinking about what patients I meet with talk about at the end of their lives. True, they do talk much about family (regrets, relationships broken or mended, love and reconciliation, etc), but what I do that's different than what this chaplain does is that I explicitly ask about God. And many times when I'm meeting with patients, the simple fact that I'm a chaplain urges them to bring up God. Often what they say is magnificently profound. I feel honored to hear what they have to say. 

With that all said, I think this is an excellent article. It's her theology of care, an assignment you'll remember I also had to write this year. I thought I'd share it with you. 

My Faith: What people talk about before they die

 

My Wish for 2012

What is to give light must endure burning. - Viktor Frankl

Tonight we turn the final page on 2011 and begin a new chapter. As I think about what I wish for in the new year, the first thing that comes to mind is 'challenge'. It seems like an odd thing to wish for, but I do wish for it anyway. You may be wondering why. 

Through challenge we learn so much about ourselves. I know I do. As part of my Clinical Pastoral Education program I am challenged every day and I love it. Sometimes challenge can be our greatest friend, showing us how to grow, how to see the world differently, how to reframe the way we think about ourselves. 

Sometimes we think of challenge as misery and that's not at all what I'm wishing for us. Challenge need not be something dramatically wretched, it just needs to be slightly uncomfortable. Challenge is that small nudge that pushes you to think outside your box. It pushes you to the edge of your comfort -- the edge where if you look over you can see a whole other world. A world of possiblity. 

So, my wish for us all in 2012 is to be nudged. I wish for tiny challenges that break open our perception. Let's see what's out there, let's see what potential there is in us! Open yourself to the possibility of greatness in the new year...just know that it may take a little stretch to get there. 

May we each be blessed with abundance. 

May we each be blessed with love. 

May we each surrender to compassion. 

May we each be challenged to greatness. 

Many blessings to you and yours in the new year. 

Wall Street Journal - Bigger Roles for Chaplains on Patient Medical Teams

Interesting article about the rise of chaplain need in Interdesciplinary Medical Teams.

Wall Street Journal Article

Thanks

Right about now most bloggers write their Thanksgiving post. The ubiquitous list of things to be thankful for, things like work, family, love, etc. And while, yes, all those things are very much worth giving thanks for, could there be something even simpler?

Recently I visited a patient with end stage renal disease. I see many patients with this illness. It's painful for the patient and painful for family to see their loved one's suffering. When I asked this particular patient though how he was doing, he said "I'm thankful that I can pray." I wasn't sure how to respond. He continued, explaining that many people don't get to "breathe" and that while he gets to wake up every morning, open his eyes and take a breath he will be thankful that he has the ability to pray and commune with his God. 

I am a lucky girl. I have a beautiful house and a loving family. I have an amazing husband and a great job. The things themselves are a blessing, but the ability to wake up every day, to see my husband, to put on a warm sweater, to eat, to breathe -- for these things I am thankful. 

So many of the people I will see this week will not get to go home. They will miss Thanksgiving. They will miss their families. Some may not leave the hospital at all. I get to walk in and I get to walk out. 

What things in your life do you feel priveleged to experience? What kinds of things do you feel lucky you get to do?

I wish you all a Thanksgiving full of the breath of life and the joy to see a new day. I wish you loving embraces from friends and family. I wish you nutrious foods made with care. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

Love,

Jennifer

Interview

As promised here is a link to my interview. I had the pleasure of sitting with Ilana one evening and she asked me a lot of really interesting and thought provoking questions. Here's a snippet of what we talked about. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Interview by Ilana DeBare

Jewish Chaplains Remembered

Yesterday 14 Jewish Chaplains were recognized for their service to the US military at Arlington National Cemetery. The 14 had died during their time in service. We often think about the soldiers who bravely go into battle on our behalf, but there are many others who go out to war torn areas who do other work -- work just as important because they are committed to helping those brave soldiers in battle. Helping to make sure they can express their fears, their longing to go home, and their desire to make America and their families proud.

Chaplains work in a variety of settings including the military. Many times this means they travel to scary places many of us would never want to see. They provide a service to our soldiers making sure they feel connected to their religious and spiritual traditions despite being far from home.

They are brave, they are strong.

May their memories always be for a blessing.

Jewish Chaplains Memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery

New Look!

Now that I've had this blog for a bit, I figured it might be worthwhile to rethink it's layout and design. I wasn't sure at the beginning if I would be keeping it, so I picked a simple design to start with. Now that I know I'll be keeping Hineni for a while, I think it's time for it to look a little more polished. 

I'd like to thank those who take the time to read this blog, who send me emails and comments about what you think and how my writing has made you feel. I appreciate all your comments, thoughts and suggestions. If there's something you'd like to see me write about please let me know. Also, I was recently approached for an interview and I'm hoping that will happen soon. When it does I'll post it here as well. 

Please feel free to let me know what you think of the new look!