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MY CHAOS Searching for My New Normal
This book is a collection of compassionate wisdom from those who have provided the diverse research that provides proven strategies to reduce stress and anxiety due to loss of any kind, along with the many narrative stories of those who have lived these life changing experiences and finally with the wisdom of the author who weaves all of this wisdom together adding the very important spiritual dimension of grief, loss and life transitions.
The author has provided grief, loss and life transition counseling for over four decades. Rick Benson continues to support people in groups and one on one. The book has a broad approach that is supportive of those experiencing the grief/loss journey along with those who accompany them. It also has been adapted to provide proven strategies for care for the care giver.
The author lives what he encourages by practicing meditation, mindfulness, prayer, being out in nature, qigong and receiving support from colleagues and family. We cannot provide compassionate care alone.
The author has provided grief, loss and life transition counseling for over four decades. Rick Benson continues to support people in groups and one on one. The book has a broad approach that is supportive of those experiencing the grief/loss journey along with those who accompany them. It also has been adapted to provide proven strategies for care for the care giver.
The author lives what he encourages by practicing meditation, mindfulness, prayer, being out in nature, qigong and receiving support from colleagues and family. We cannot provide compassionate care alone.
204 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 15, 2018
Rick C. Benson BA, BEd, MA (Pastoral Studies) is the current Director of Spiritual and Religious Care and is a Grief Recovery Specialist working out of St. Joseph's Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick.
I first heard of Mr. Benson's book in Horizon Health Network's internal newsletter, the Horizon Star. I quickly got in contact with him and he sent me a copy of the book for the purposes of this review along with this thought:
"I really wanted the book to help a broader readership … to bring healing from many approaches and help others like yourself bring healing to those we interact with in healthcare."
Working in healthcare, I often meet up with grieving parents, siblings and friends and I am often at a loss for words, as I'm sure many are in such situations. Even at wakes and funerals, one often has a difficult time trying to say something comforting in the few minutes we have with surviving friends and family. Grief will be a concern for all of us at one time or another.
My Chaos: Searching for My New Normal is fifteen chapters of proven strategies, personal experiences and more, all designed to help you or a loved one cope with grief.
In preliminary counselling sessions, after listening to grievers tell their stories and their heartache, I often share this response: "You have been forever changed by your experience." After a pause I continue: "But you do not need to be forever sorrowful or without peace. The journey you are on will be challenging, but you can be in a more healing place."
My Chaos presents many evidence-based methods of coping strategies: mindfulness, meditation, journaling, creative practice and exercise, just to name a few. It is very easy to read and written in a comforting, appealing manner. Mr. Benson stresses that your chaos is yours, it is unique. Not every coping strategy may work for you nor will it be suitable for you. He simply presents the many tried and true options that others have found successful in coping with their grief.
"Pull together some interventions and lessons from the examples and stories. Once you have found your peaceful place, share it with others. Grief is meant to be shared, not suffered alone."
A compassionate book written by a man enthusiastic about his work and presented in a very practical, easy to digest format, My Chaos is a book you'll want to have on your shelf or to give as a gift to those you love who have faced a significant loss or major life transition.
I first heard of Mr. Benson's book in Horizon Health Network's internal newsletter, the Horizon Star. I quickly got in contact with him and he sent me a copy of the book for the purposes of this review along with this thought:
"I really wanted the book to help a broader readership … to bring healing from many approaches and help others like yourself bring healing to those we interact with in healthcare."
Working in healthcare, I often meet up with grieving parents, siblings and friends and I am often at a loss for words, as I'm sure many are in such situations. Even at wakes and funerals, one often has a difficult time trying to say something comforting in the few minutes we have with surviving friends and family. Grief will be a concern for all of us at one time or another.
My Chaos: Searching for My New Normal is fifteen chapters of proven strategies, personal experiences and more, all designed to help you or a loved one cope with grief.
In preliminary counselling sessions, after listening to grievers tell their stories and their heartache, I often share this response: "You have been forever changed by your experience." After a pause I continue: "But you do not need to be forever sorrowful or without peace. The journey you are on will be challenging, but you can be in a more healing place."
My Chaos presents many evidence-based methods of coping strategies: mindfulness, meditation, journaling, creative practice and exercise, just to name a few. It is very easy to read and written in a comforting, appealing manner. Mr. Benson stresses that your chaos is yours, it is unique. Not every coping strategy may work for you nor will it be suitable for you. He simply presents the many tried and true options that others have found successful in coping with their grief.
"Pull together some interventions and lessons from the examples and stories. Once you have found your peaceful place, share it with others. Grief is meant to be shared, not suffered alone."
A compassionate book written by a man enthusiastic about his work and presented in a very practical, easy to digest format, My Chaos is a book you'll want to have on your shelf or to give as a gift to those you love who have faced a significant loss or major life transition.
February 16, 2018
I highly recommend this book. Feelings of loss and a search for a new normal can also occur after a critical illness diagnosis. This book is helping me rebuild my life (my new normal) after a year-long battle with cancer. It reminded me to treat myself with compassion and has provided concrete ways to help me reshape the life I want to lead going forward.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews