These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Friday, February 24, 2012

Here it is!

This weekend, I am taking the first level of training for Healing Touch Therapy. We have a few of these therapists who volunteer their time to work with, comfort and ease the pain of our patients in Hospice and to relax and restore their caregivers. I've been so thankful to have them aboard to help our patients and families through difficult times. I'm happy to be starting this. This is just the first level. There are more to follow over time, but a first step is always exciting. I've had this work done on me, and it is amazingly helpful. The biggest trouble is that when I am in the deep throes of fibromyalgia pain, I don't think clearly, and I often forget to call my therapist to have her work on me. Silly, I know. But unless you've dealt with FMS, you probably don't understand how debilitating it can be. I can go to work and accomplish things, but every task takes all my focus and attention, thus .... I don't think about calling my friend to have her help me. sigh. I recently discovered that I am able to use my own energies in helping myself. I have a shoulder that has hurt me most of the time for several years, and after a couple of self-treatments, it has completely quit hurting. Even so, I still forget to simply take care of ME, by myself or by calling her!

Several friends, including my HT therapist, have encouraged me to take this training, expressing that I seem to have the right energy to do this work. I didn't think much about it, to be honest, until I began to find my healing abilities on myself. And then .... I could hardly wait! She set up a class specifically so I could do this, and I was able to find several others to take it at the same time. She has to have at least two students to be able to work on one another during training. I'm really eager to get started, even though it means giving up my weekend. I'm not sure how my energy will hold out for twelve days in a row without a day off, but I'm about to find out!

But wait .... that's not all!

I am also back in school, or will be in a few days, when the materials arrive. I have enrolled in a program to achieve a Doctorate of Divinity. It is an internet course that has a good reputation, has been around for decades and online almost as long. I chose this because ....

I relinquished my Social Work license when I retired, yet since my oath as a Social Worker is for lifetime, I must be very careful when I am talking with clients in the professional setting. Every time I open my mouth with direction or advice (such as in the bereavement support groups I facilitate), I have to stop and think about the ramifications of it. If I didn't have the professional background I could advise to my heart's content as a friend, a Jane Doe, but that's not the case. To gain my license in NM (or anywhere, since I relinquished), I would have to complete the whole process again: application, testing, supervision, etc., all at my own cost and when I projected it out, it would be in the thousands. I can't afford that. And frankly I don't want to repeat steps.

Becoming certified as a Chaplain will not only allow me to be prepared to do what I do in a more reasonable financial scope, but it will allow me to study some new things that interest me greatly along they way. I’ve long been interested in comparative religion studies, but honestly not self-disciplined enough to follow through. Doing it this way, I have committed to the terms of the grant (which paid most of the costs), and that will provide me with incentive to complete the course.  I can pay my part in very small installments.

I like the journey of a Chaplain. A chaplain needs to be knowledgeable of many spiritual paths, be able to respect views and practices other than their own personal ones, and be flexible to support people wherever they are in their spiritual walk. That’s already easy for me. My previous training and experience has already prepared me to accept others where they are; this is taking it a step farther. Much to learn, but acceptance is already in place.

I will progress at my own pace, and even though the course includes the bachelor and master level work to “fill in the blanks” before the doctoral stuff, as I figure it, it will still take me far less time that the re-licensing process. The licensing boards can be slow grinding machines and very un-user-friendly. It seems that most students complete this program in between one and two years. That works for me.

Sooooooo, my days will be incredibly full. And my nights, too!! But no, Di, it won't be with, how did you put that,  "a male "friend" that's moving in" with me!  Nope, my nights will be filled with studying and five pups! A friend asked me today if I would be able to scale down my FB time! LOL! Yep, I'm sure I will. And the blog posts will likely be fewer. I think it will be worth it, big time! I will still be around; I hope you don't forget me in the meanwhile!

I'm very excited about this. (Have I said that before?) I love to study, and this will be a whole new and fun trek for me. Wish me luck! Although I think it will be fun, it is also going to be a challenge!

School? I'm nearly 68 years old! I must have lost my mind!  Oh well!!!

16 comments:

  1. This is VERY exciting!!! What a wonderful path for you to be heading down. It sounds like the perfect fit. I am so happy for you. I think it is a brilliant idea. I can't wait to hear more about it as it progresses.

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  2. I worked 17 years in a seminary. It was incredibly interesting to me. I enjoyed comparative religions a lot. I worked in that field for a time. I also worked for an Old Testament/Hebrew Bible professor and I loved that. I did not enjoy working for the church history professors. I was thoroughly bored by it all. Bottom of the heap for me was pastoral care and counseling but it will most likely be what you enjoy the most. All this should certainly keep you busy. Good luck.

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  3. I am so proud of you and no math on top it yaaay!!! You go girl Bobbie in Pa

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  4. Linda, I'm laughing about being at the bottom of your heap!! It is a very good thing that we all have different tastes, joys, and incentives, isn't it? That is exactly what keeps the world in balance. :)


    Bobbie, thank you! And yessssssssss, no math! LOL!

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  5. What a beautiful and joyous path that is opening up to you! Having Reiki in my life has been such an awesome thing over the years - not only for personal healing but for the people and experiences it has brought. While not the same, yet similar, Healing Touch and Reiki are both along the same lines and I know you will enjoy your studies. I'm just sitting here smiling thinking of all this for you! Yay for you!!

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  6. Never too old to learn anything new. Great journey you are on.

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  7. OK, Lyn, now I am really, really impressed! I have been in awe of the retirement life you chose in the NM mountains all by yourself (didn't mean to leave out your babies, sorry) in an apparent fixer upper. And to do this all with the pain of FMS is really amazing. My husband has another debilitating type of RA called Ankylosing Spondilitis and I know the intense pain he was in until we moved to Houston and he got into an AK study. From the first shot he knew he was getting the real thing and not a placebo. That was 5 years ago and although the progression has not stopped the pain has. We are not wild about Houston but that alone has made it the most important move we ever made. Enough of that...
    I want to wish you good luck and much fun in your new adventure. You make me feel so lazy. Hope our paths cross again sometime.

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  8. Congrats Lyn! I think this is an awesome undertaking and have so much respect for you. Much love and support as you start your coursework!

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  9. TYR, I'd forgotten you did Reiki! Yes, I agree, both are wonderful. I'm eager to get going with it! Today was the first day, and I'm pooped!

    Tabor, I couldn't agree more! And keeping one's mind busy and active is a big part of it.

    Jane, I think "new" techniques/interventions are a godsend to many people, and when a person is in pain, it is worth going where necessary. Good luck to all of you. BTW, you say "paths cross again" and I'm drawing a blank. Have we met? I'm a bit embarrassed, but have to ask!

    Kelly, thanks so much. I guess I don't sit still very well!

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    1. Ahhh! I thought it might be you, but wasn't sure! I'm hoping I'll see you this fall, Labor Day weekend, from what I hear.

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  10. This is just great! Good for you. You go girl. I think that this will be so positive for you.

    It is great to stay involved, learn new things, and take on new challenges. I truly am happy for you.

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    1. RET, thanks. I agree that this is a very good thing. Being active and staying in the learning mode keeps us alive! :)

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  11. Well Lyn having a male around can be very interesting but learning new things even more so I'd say. I think it's wonderful that you are doing this. You are already an intelligent, caring and helpful woman. This will just help you to be more so and on other levels as well. Good for you and congratulations on your new beginning. We won't forget you and I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze some time in for us here and there! Love and hugs to you my friend!
    Love Di ♥

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    1. If it involved making a choice, Di, there would be no hesitation. This move is good for me. A man might be nice, but I can wait on that!! You know I'll be back!! Thanks, girl! Love you!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!