Welcome to the seventh installment in a series of blog posts on The Eden Alternative Domains of Well-Being(TM). Read more about these domains by clicking HERE!
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As we prepare for next week’s Thanksgiving holiday, consider the things for which we are grateful. We tend to be thankful for people, places, and things that hold a great deal of meaning for us, such as family and friends, a comfortable and welcoming home, or the privilege of living in a free country.
I often ask clients, “What gives your life meaning?”
The answers are unique to each individual, and may change over time. The teen invested in friendships, the career woman building her network, and the Elder who cherishes time with grandchildren will answer this question in different ways.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in relationships is assuming that we know what another person considers meaningful.
Think of an old photograph of people you don’t know. While it has no meaning for you, you can understand that someone familiar with the people and the event would treasure the photo and its memories.
We may view Elders and their lives and wonder if anything is truly meaningful when they aren’t working, their physical or cognitive health has changed, or they seem to have a lot of “junk” in their home.
We must be aware that we are looking through the eyes of adulthood, a time of supreme busy-ness, strength, and vigor. When we take the time to talk with Elders, they will teach us about what is meaningful for them.
Relationships, memories, laughter, just BE-ing with someone else can be powerfully important, suffusing our life with meaning.
Consider how we might come to know each other more deeply by asking about what is meaningful, and listening to the stories behind the answers.
In this season of Thanksgiving, we are invited to stay open to the rich lessons we can learn from those stories!
What gives your life meaning? Do you know what is meaningful to the Elders in your life? This is a wonderful question to ask at the upcoming Thanksgiving Day table! Do so with an open heart, really listening to the answers and withholding judgment. Remember that “Meaning” is unique and individual, and may change over time.
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Lisa Kendall supports well-being in her work with Elders and their family members, as well as with professional care partners. She is an Educator and Mentor for The Eden Alternative, and has a private counseling and consulting practice in Ithaca, NY.
You can reach Lisa at (607) 351-1313, or via email at crossroadscounseling@hotmail.com
