In This Issue
 

 May 2014 Newsletter
The Library
Looking     Forward...

Come join our community!


 Healing Meditation in the Labyrinth

                                   

Meditation is widely recognized as an adjunct to therapies and other healing strategies in health settings.  There are examples of meditation that enhances relaxation in prolonged treatments.  Praise abounds for the clarity of mind that meditation induces for understanding and bearing chronic illnesses.  Meditative visualization allows healing to proceed more quickly and consistently because it encourages people to imagine a premeditated scenario of health.  Meditation connects people to their intuition and mobilizes their spirituality to help meet health challenges.

 

Illnesses and their treatment often result in people feeling lost.  They are cut-off from the spiritual purposes of their lives and the meaningfulness of their life's journey.  Opportunities to connect to God and to spiritual experiences become fewer and farther away from the events brought by illness and treatments.  People may recognize the need for changing their mindset and their circumstances but in some ways usual behaviors are no longer useful to accomplish those goals.  It takes every bit of energy simply to cope with the problems.  Another approach such as walking or using the labyrinth must be introduced.

 

Walking the labyrinth or using a finger labyrinth for meditation is remarkably effective in promoting healing.  It frees people to focus in a unique and different way.  It inspires new outlooks.  Positive feelings and hopes spring from quiet reflection in the labyrinth.  Expressing renewed commitment to personal wants and needs is easier during a contemplative time in the labyrinth.  Trusting as a result of being in the labyrinth ignites self-worth and creates an enhanced perception of one's value in the world.  The shortages of energy, money or companionship inherent in dealing with ill health and the healing process suddenly seem less consequential with the help of meditative walks in the labyrinth.

 

More and more labyrinths are being built on hospital grounds and in mental health facilities.  Healing gardens are appearing in communities all over the world.  People are bringing life to the labyrinth.  The labyrinth is a space that renews life, even rekindles the life of the spirit, with heartfelt use.

 

Margaret Rappaport

 

Tell us what you think.
Dear Members and Friends,

Robert Romasco, President of the AARP Board of Directors commented that the last of what will be described as the baby boomers have just turned fifty years old.  They join the 104 million people in the United States who are beyond age fifty.  The durability this number suggests is due to many factors, says Romasco.  He maintains that our own individual efforts to meet the challenges of aging is most significant and he calls it the "longevity bonus".
Romasco sees a revitalizing of the economy due to housing, transportation and health care initiatives to serve people over fifty.  Expanding opportunities for people to work and learn and achieve will create benefits that can only be imagined.
Romasco asks people as he travels the country, "What does the longevity bonus mean to you"?
Many people are exploring new possibilities, says Romasco.  For example twice as many successful entrepreneurs are over age 50 as entrepreneurs who are aged 25.  The dynamic energy of people over 50 also extends to a myriad of volunteer efforts. "Special things happen when 104 million of us take stock and explore our real possibilities," says Robert Romasco.
Being Ourselves
 
Mindfulness and meditation quiets our thoughts and opens us to new possibilities.
       
       
Enjoying Life:

Be sure to like us on facebook or send a Tweet at Twitter.  You can connect with us on Linkedin or Pinterest.

Marcia Kaiser posts on The Grand Life, which focuses on the joy and meaningfulness of grand parenting.

Robert Campbell posts on food and food science.

Doug Sivco posts on finance for sixes and sevens.

Margaret Rappaport has a new topic beginning in June 2014: Love, Limits and Learning.  Her weekly posts will offer relationship insights for people at 6's and sevens's.

We appreciate comments and encourage you to share your views.  All posts are archived for your convenience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Margaret Rappaport, Founder and Executive Director
At Sixes and Sevens Multimedia, Inc.
It's time to take the next step!
Dr. Rappaport invites you to become a member of At Sixes and Sevens Multimedia to receive email announcements of programs, workshops, and speaking engagements in your area.