Nanaimo Community Hospice

📚 It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine 📚

Grief is a natural part of life, yet our culture often pushes us to "get over it" quickly. In It’s OK That You’re Not OK, Megan Devine challenges this mindset with a compassionate and insightful look at how we experience and support grief.

Megan, a therapist who has faced her own profound loss, explores the idea that grief is not something to "fix." Instead, it’s a reflection of deep love and loss. She offers a healthier perspective: building a life alongside grief rather than rushing to leave it behind.

With practical advice, heartfelt stories, and a fresh take on the grieving process, this book is an essential read for anyone dealing with death—or supporting someone who is.

Stop by our Hospice House library to borrow a copy today and explore this meaningful guide to living with grief.

💚💙THANK YOU!💙💚

🎉 Today is National Nonprofit Day! We’re celebrating the incredible impact of our donors, clients, and volunteers. Your support is the heart of everything we do at Nanaimo Community Hospice, allowing us to offer compassionate care and vital services to those in need. 🌟

We rely on the generosity of our community to continue this important work. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of those facing life's most challenging moments. If you're able, please consider supporting us today. Together, we can continue to provide comfort, care, and hope. 💙🙏

https://www.nanaimohospice.com/donatenow

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓

Where do you feel most at peace? 🌲🕊

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

🍔 Are you ready to make your Saturday sizzle? Join us on August 17th for a fantastic burger fundraiser with Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln!

📅 Date: Saturday, August 17th
🕚 Time: 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 Location: Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln, 3851 Shenton Rd, Nanaimo

We’ll be flipping juicy burgers outside the dealership, and they’re yours for a donation (we suggest $10, but every bit helps!). All proceeds help to fuel Nanaimo Community Hospice’s programs and services. 💚

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a tasty meal, connect with fellow community members, and support a cause that makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve. 🍽️ Bring your appetite and your big heart, and let’s turn burgers into a beacon of hope for our community. 🌟

💚💙Quote of the Day from Nanaimo Community Hospice💙💚
Many of us can relate to the ever changing waves of grief, and the ways in which it has molded our lives. Nanaimo Community Hospice is here for you, no matter the shape your grief takes. 🤗
Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

🌟 Start a Mindfulness Journal 🌟

Starting a mindfulness journal is easy and can really help you feel grounded. Here’s how you could begin:

📔 Pick a Journal: Choose a notebook or journal that you like. It can be simple or fancy. Whatever brings you joy!
⏰ Set a Time: Choose a regular time each day to write in your journal. It could be in the morning, at lunch, or before bed.
🎯 Decide Your Goals: Think about why you want to journal. It could be to feel less stressed or to understand yourself better.
✍️ Write Freely: Don’t worry about making your writing perfect. Just write what you’re thinking and feeling.

Starting a mindfulness journal can be really helpful. Many websites have journal prompts to encourage you to write if you are feeling uninspired.

📚 Discover Our Library at Hospice House! 📚

Did you know Nanaimo Community Hospice offers a free lending library for our community? Here's how you can take advantage of it:

1. Visit Hospice House and choose up to two books from our selection.
2. Sign out the books with your name, phone number, and contact info.
3. Enjoy your books for up to 4 weeks.
4. Return the books to Hospice House when you're finished.

We’re proud to offer this program at no cost, promoting education and awareness through our collection of adult and children’s books. Come on down, browse our lending selection, and find your next great read! 💙💚

🌟 Join Us as an Event Volunteer! 🌟

Nanaimo Community Hospice hosts several events throughout the year, and we need your help to make them a success! Volunteers are essential in many areas, including crafting, event setup and takedown, planning, and day-of support. By volunteering, you can be a part of what makes Hospice so great and help us in our mission to support compassion and care in our city.

If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Erin at [email protected]. Together, we can create meaningful experiences and continue supporting our community the best way we know how. 👏❤️

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓

We are in the deep days of summer, and it has many people taking to the outdoors. What was your loved one's go-to summer time activity? ⛵🎣🏖

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

💚💙Quote of the Day from Nanaimo Community Hospice💙💚
Have you visited our beautiful gardens at Hospice House? Come by and spend some time in mediation, reflecting, or simply enjoying a moment outdoors. 🏡🌼🌷
Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

🌿 Try the Mindfulness Skill of Observing! 🌿

Being mindful means noticing what’s happening right now without trying to change anything. It helps us feel calm and less worried about the future or stuck in the past.

🔎How to Observe the Present Moment:

🌬Pay Attention to Your Breathing: Feel the air coming in and out. Notice how your breath moves.
👂Listen to the Sounds Around You: Hear each sound around you. Listen closely to what you can hear.
💭Watch Your Thoughts: Notice your thoughts as they come and go. Don’t judge them or try to follow them. Just let them float by and focus on what’s happening around you.

By practicing these simple steps, you can enjoy the present moment and feel more grounded. Give it a try and see how it helps you stay calm and focused! 🧘‍♂️😌

📚 Grief Resource Highlight: "The Rabbit Listened" Video 📚

Now a New York Times bestseller, "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld is a moving picture book that touches on empathy and kindness. 🌟

Check out this link provided by the National Alliance for Children's Grief to hear the author read the story and discover more about this touching book: https://vimeo.com/788749797/4cfc44bcbb 📖💕

In this heartwarming story, Taylor feels sad and isn’t sure how to cope. While the other animals offer their own advice—talk it out, get angry, or other solutions—it’s the rabbit who simply listens, providing the comfort and support Taylor truly needs.

Come by Hospice House and explore other wonderful books for your kids to enjoy this summer. Let’s support our children with stories that teach kindness and understanding! 💙

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓

What was your loved one's favorite article of clothing? A hat they always had on? Maybe a pair of shoes that went with everything? A dress they'd wear for date night? 👚👗👞

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

🌟 What is a Social Enterprise? 🌟

A social enterprise is a business that makes money to help people and the community. At the Nanaimo Hospice Shoppe , located at 1925 Bowen Rd, all profits go to support Nanaimo Community Hospice Society! 💖

By shopping or donating at our thrift store, you're supporting a great cause. From clothing to books, furniture to dishes, there's always something new to find! 🛍️✨

Join us Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and make a difference. Want to do more? Volunteer with us and be part of something special!

Your support helps Hospice help others!

💚💙Quote of the Day from Nanaimo Community Hospice💙💚
A beautiful quote by a true Renaissance Man. ✨
Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

What Are Affirmations? 📖❓

Affirmations are positive statements that help you fight off negative thoughts. By repeating these positive thoughts, you can start to believe in yourself and make positive changes. Think of affirmations as exercises for your mind—they help you feel more confident and less stressed.

How to Write an Affirmation:✍

Pick Something to Change: Think about what you want to change or get better at.
Be Realistic: Make sure your affirmation is something you can believe in.
Turn Negatives into Positives: Change negative thoughts into positive ones.
Use Present Tense: Say your affirmation as if it’s already true.

Repeating your affirmations several times a day may help you feel better and make changes in your thinking patterns.

🎉 Celebrating 11 Years at Hospice House! 🎉

This week, we celebrate 11 years in our Hospice House on St. George! We're so thankful for our amazing community, volunteers, donors, and clients. Your support has meant everything to us.

Check out our "then and now" photos to see how far we've come! Even as things change, one thing stays the same: we're here to serve our community with care and compassion. We couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you for being part of our Hospice family. Here's to many more years together! 💙

By becoming a monthly donor, you’re not just giving money; you’re giving hope, care, and essential services to people in your community. Your commitment makes a lasting difference, month after month.

https://www.nanaimohospice.com/monthly-giving

Sign up as a monthly donor today and be a part of something truly special. Together, we can continue to support and uplift our community with the care they deserve.

Thank you for making a difference in your community.

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓
Have you ever written a book? 📚
Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

WOW! 🚴‍♂️🌞

Congratulations to this year's incredible team of cyclists who rode for two days through the Saanich Peninsula and Salt Spring Island. Riding in record heat, they powered through, and we are happy to report that The Nanaimo Bars all crossed the finish line on Sunday afternoon. 🎉

This year, the 90+ cyclists riding in the tour raised over $340,000 for hospice care on Vancouver Island! 💖 We couldn't be more excited for them and are honored to live and work amidst so many generous and compassionate community members. 🌟

THANK YOU for making this a ride to remember! 🙏

💚💙Quote of the Day from Nanaimo Community Hospice💙💚
Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

🌟 Stretching for Mindfulness and Well-Being 🌟

Stretching isn’t just good for your body; it’s great for your mind too! When done mindfully, stretching helps you focus on the present moment, calm your mind, and reduce stress. It’s a simple way to practice mindfulness while improving flexibility and overall well-being.

Tips for Successful Stretching:
🧘‍♂️ Stretch All Major Areas: Make sure to stretch your neck, shoulders, chest, back, hips, legs, and ankles.
⏰ Stretch Often: Try to stretch 2-3 times a week.
⏳ Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds.

Stretching helps with flexibility, coordination, balance, and can ease pain. Stretching slowly and mindfully can also help you relax and reduce stress.

Give these tips a try and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of stretching! 🌿

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓

A classic icebreaker question: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? 🍛🥗🍕🥪

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

📚 Children's Book Highlight: "The Invisible String" 📚

With over 1.5 million copies sold, "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst has become a beloved tool for children and adults alike. This bestselling book explores the unbreakable connections between loved ones, making it a perfect read for coping with separation anxiety, loss, and grief.

In this heartwarming story, a mother tells her children about an invisible string made of love that connects them no matter the distance. This simple yet powerful message has resonated with parents, educators, therapists, and social workers, helping to open up deeper conversations about love and connection.

Come by Hospice House and discover other great books for your kids to read over the summer break. Let's keep our children connected and supported with these meaningful stories! 💙💚

💚💙Quote of the Day from Nanaimo Community Hospice💙💚

Rumi was a 13th century poet, but his words still carry so much weight today. 🕊💚

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your
healing journey.

Ever hear the phrase, “better out than in”? When feels intense, music, writing, art or making something can help make connections with people who’ve died to feel more visible or concrete. Visit Youthgrief.ca to learn more.

Discover the calming benefits of a mindful walk. This practice helps you stay present and connect with your surroundings, bringing peace and clarity to your day. Try it today, or plan a time this week to incorporate it into your day. Maybe walk over to Hospice and check out our beautiful gardens! 🌼🌳🌸

🧘‍♀️ Mindful Walking:

Choose a Path: Find a safe place to walk, whether it's in nature, or a peaceful neighborhood.

Start Slowly: Begin walking at a slow, comfortable pace. Focus on your feet making contact with the ground.

Engage Your Senses: As you walk, notice the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you.

Breathe Naturally: Pay attention to your breath. Let it flow naturally, feeling the inhale and exhale as you move.

Stay Present: If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your walking and breathing. Stay in the moment, appreciating the simple act of walking.

Reflect: After your walk, take a moment to reflect on how you feel. Notice any changes in your mood or perspective.

Incorporate mindful walking into your routine to enhance your well-being and find peace in your day.

Mark your calendars for July 15th and join us in celebrating National Give Something Away Day! It's a perfect opportunity to declutter our lives and pass on items that can serve someone else better. 💙💚

This week, consider donating your unwanted goods to the Nanaimo Hospice Shoppe, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting the mission of Nanaimo Community Hospice. Whether it's clothing, household items, books or décor, these small acts of kindness can have a big impact. 🌍✨

Let’s all come together to make a positive change in our community. What will you give away?

You can find the Hospice Shoppe at 1925 Bowen Rd. Stop by and say Hi!

❓Question of the Week from Nanaimo Community Hospice❓

Is there a place that reminds you of your loved one? Many times different environments will bring back memories for us. Each place and each memory as different as the next; what we carry with us is as unique as our own grief journeys.

Follow for more grief and bereavement content for your healing journey.

Due to a malfunction with our air conditioning system, Hospice House will be closed for the rest of the week. Our doors willl open again on Monday, July 15, 2024. Our apologies for any inconvenience.