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November 2013     
Greetings     
                 

cornucopia-flowers.jpg As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  

 ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy 
 
For those of us who are over the age of 50, a cultural milestone will occur this month as we reach the half-century mark of JFK's death. Like 9/11 to the millennial generation, JFK's assassination brought our country to a reflective standstill as we took stock of what we had lost and also all that still remained for which to be grateful. As we enter the season of gratitude and Thanksgiving, let's again take a mindful look at what gifts we have in our lives and shift our words of gratitude into compassionate action.
 
With gratitude,  

Pam

In This Issue
Pam's Blog
Meditation Maintenance Schedule
Cognoscenti: Thinking that Matters
November Haiku Rally
Flexible Mindfulness Training
Tai Chi and Fibromyalgia
Need More Quotes on Resilience
2014 Winter/Spring MBSR Registration
Self-Care Gifts of Renewal
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 Pam Ressler
Pam Ressler
 
Visit my blog

I invite you to read AND comment on
my blog. I write reflections and post links to articles of interest on the intersecting topic areas of resiliency, healthcare, stress management, mindfulness, and life!
 Meditation Maintenance
tea Meditation Maintenance Sessions 
are a great way to give yourself a monthly self-care "tune-up" by joining with fellow meditators to discuss insights and challenges of your practice.

Our general schedule is the 2nd Wednesday (evening) and 2nd Friday (afternoon) of each month. However, there may be some months when we will meet on the first Wednesday or first Friday. Please see the schedule below.

You are welcome to attend each month or simply on an occasional basis. You will find a supportive and welcoming respite in the midst of your busyness. 

2013--2014 Schedule


Evening sessions meet 7-9 PM


Wed, Nov 13

Wed, Dec 11

Wed, Jan 8

Wed, Feb 12

Wed, Mar 12

Wed, Apr 2 (note 1st Wed)

Wed, May 14

Wed, Jun 11
 
Daytime sessions meet 12:30-2:30 PM

Fri, Nov 8

Fri, Dec 6 (note 1st Fri)

Fri, Jan 10

Fri, Feb 14

Fri, Mar 14

Fri, Apr 11

Fri, May 9

Fri, Jun 13

Both evening and daytime sessions are held at Stress Resources' office (97 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA). Please pre-register for sessions as space is limited. 

Meditation Maintenance sessions are $15 per session. Register by
e-mail or by phone (978-369-5243). 
 

Stress Resources and Pam Ressler are on TWITTER    

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Follow @pamressler   

and @stressresources    

for updated resources and links to relevant healthcare articles and research 

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Cognoscenti: Thinking that Matters 


I am honored and humbled to have been selected as a contributor to WBUR's Cognoscenti page -- sharing thoughts and ideas and encouraging conversation on topics of importance in Boston and beyond. My first piece was published this month, on a subject near and dear to my heart, compassionate healthcare.

Here is a link to The Children Who Didn't Survive.  I welcome your thoughts and comments on the WBUR site.

November Haiku Rally     

leaf-macro.jpg

During the month of November, I have been challenging myself to write a haiku each day -- and post my creations on my blog, pamressler.blogspot.com  

Haiku is the essence of mindfulness; a Japanese form of poetry that is based on observation of the present moment. Writing a haiku entails having to parse down your thoughts to the core idea and limit yourself to a a total of 17 syllables (5 syllables for the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and 5 syllables for the third and last line). I invite you to join me in my "Haiku Rally" by sharing your haiku on my blog.
 

Flexible Mindfulness Training   

Stress Resources offers individual and semi-private training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Sign up for semi-private sessions with a friend and one of you trains for 1/2 price ($200 savings).

  

Flexible MBSR/Private and Semi-Private  Mindfulness Training: This unique option offered by Stress Resources allows the individual to set the pace for training but maintains the essential framework of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in private or semi-private sessions. smiling-laughing-ladies.jpg

The Flexible Mindfulness Training
:
  • Includes four 1-hour sessions that may be scheduled in the morning, afternoon or evening to meet your needs.
  • Materials provided include 5 CDs (downloadable to mp3), copy of Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn, training workbook and reference guide.
  • Allows your MBSR training to take place over 8-12 weeks at your own pace and schedule with individualized coaching
  • Add a friend option allows you to learn the skills of MBSR with a friend and train for 1/2 price! (BCBS discount cannot be combined with this special rate)
For more information about Flexible MBSR Training, click here     

 

Tai Chi and Fibromyalgia   

Huan Zhang 1 Set of Yang Style Tai Chi
Huan Zhang demonstrating Yang Style Tai Chi

As Eastern mind-body practices become more mainstream in the U.S. it is often helpful to understand a bit about the benefits of engaging in certain forms of meditative exercises. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that strengthens mind, body and spirit through an orchestrated sequence of mindful movements. A recent study conducted at Tufts Medical Center published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that Tai Chi may be helpful in managing symptoms of the chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia.

One of my colleagues from the University of Massachusetts (Boston), Huan Zhang, is a well known Tai Chi instructor in the U. S. and China. He has authored articles and an upcoming text book chapter on this ancient form of movement meditation. Huan writes a great blog with helpful resources which I recommend for those of you who are interested in learning more about Tai Chi.  

 

Need More Quotes on Resilience

book-stacks-colorful.jpg  
re�sil�ience
riˈzilyəns noun:
1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape;
2. the capacity to recover quickly from adversity, difficulties; toughness.

This may be the dictionary definition of resilience, but what does resilience mean to you personally? Is there a quote or saying that is meaningful to you, perhaps one that has given you insight through times of challenge or change?

Thank you so much for the wonderful quotes on resilience you sent in last month. They are surprisingly varied and each speaks to particular qualities of resilience, which is fascinating. I am still compiling the quotes and catagorizing them into subcategories. Please continue to send in your favorite quotes by emailing them to me at [email protected]. Feel free to send in multiple quotes.  Please attribute the quote(s) to the original author, if known.

For each quote selected for inclusion in the book, I will send you an autographed copy of the book when it is published in 2014.
2014 Winter/Spring Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Registration
MBSR Don't procrastinate! Registration is now open for the Winter/Spring Session of Stress Resources' popular offering: 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR). These classes are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to a meditation practice based on scientific evidence in a supportive group environment. Classes are capped at 16 participants to allow for individual attention and coaching. Evening and morning classes are available and continuing education units are included.

Secure online signup is available or download a printable brochure with mail-in registration form.

2014 Winter/Spring 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program
Self-Care Gifts of Renewal
We all need reminders, small ways of checking in with ourselves throughout the day to bring us back to the present moment. Stress Resources has put together some great tools to help you re-MIND yourself to refresh, renew and relax everyday.
 
Here are some of our offerings.....

Breathe Mugs

What a lovely reminder tBreathe Mugo simply breathe with each sip of coffee or tea.  These beautiful black and white ceramic mugs are designed by Stress Resources and come with a spoon attached in the handle.

Opening the Door to Meditation

CDA gentle meditation CD to help guide even a reluctant meditator into a sustainable mindfulness practice.  Meditations by Pamela Katz Ressler, MS, RN, HN-BC with original music composed and performed by guitarist Louis Arnold.

Breathe+Meditation Gift Set
  Special price on Breathe mug along with Opening the Door to Meditation CD, beautifully gift-wrapped and sent off to a special recipient with a hand written gift card attached.



Handcrafted Stress Resources' Lap Labyrinths  
Yes, they are now back in stock with a limited quantity available! These lap labyrinths are designed and Lap Labyrinth crafted for only for Stress Resources. Our exclusive classical design, with a flat side that nestles close to the body, makes holding a labyrinth on your lap and tracing the path with your finger comfortable and easy.  Labyrinths are popular tools for increasing concentration, promoting relaxation, deepening meditation, for all ages.  The repetitive movement of the hand on the labyrinth often helps to reduce anxiety -- great addition to classrooms, waiting rooms, homes or offices.  Our labyrinths have a hand-rubbed shellac and wax finish that mellows and develops a patina with age and use.

Check out all our products on our secure order page