In Autumn's Cocoon

Deeply moved to hear of the death of Dr. Robert Twycross yesterday. He was a dedicated pioneer in palliative, hospice and whole person care. My condolences go out to his family and those closest to him.

Was privileged to have communicated with him over these last years. His encouragement and support a true gift that I will always be grateful for.

Sharing once again my YouTube conversation with Robert from a few years ago in honour of his life's work and wisdom. A gracious human being who will be missed.

Exploring the Foundation of Pain Management in Hospice Care with Dr. Robert Twycross In this conversation we discuss the foundational years of hospice care and the development of the pain management protocols with Dr. Robert Twycross.BIOGRAPH...

Love this article.

Also love Dewitt Jones' work and a beautiful book (with stunning photographs) he co-authored years ago with Stephen Covey and A. Roger Merrill titled "The Nature of Leadership". It weaves together simple life truths with the organic wisdom of nature.

Eric Alan has written another beautiful piece, called "More to Serve than Save." In it, he finds inspiration in the beauty and effect of a koi in a Japanese Garden pond. The fish leads him to insights about how in our own way, we too may bring beauty and positive effect to others around us, whether or not we're even cognizant of it. If you've ever wondered at whether your efforts are enough to make a difference, this meditation will soothe and inspire you. Don't miss it.

https://www.ericalan.com/blog/more-to-serve-than-save

Speaking of connection...

This is one of the most beautiful examples of an authentic, heartfelt conversation I have seen in a while. Life, love, nature, death, creativity, the mystery, transformation..trust. Lovely. Truly. Captures so much. Organically.

So much to be grateful for even with ALL the twists and turns of life.

Andrew Garfield’s Grief Actor Andrew Garfield's mother Lynne died from pancreatic cancer in 2019. In this deeply moving and emotional episode of “All There Is” Andrew talks with And...

To all the Canadians in the mix...may you have a truly special Thanksgiving celebration this holiday weekend with those you most love and cherish. 🙏💖

(Photo credit: Priscilla-du-Preez from Unsplash)

Connection is a profound thing.

In one beautiful study in palliative care they found that greater healing generally took place if people had connection in four major areas of their lives. With self (i.e. through meditation, dreams, writing), others (community and secure, safe attachements to people around them), the phenomenal world (nature, the arts/music, and for some sports) along with finding meaning and purpose. Which is unique to each person. This applies when facing a challenging illness, in grief and I would venture to say in life in general.

Sharing again my touching conversation with Dr. Daphne Lobb exploring the subject.

Healing and Healing Connections in Palliative Care with Dr. Daphne Lobb In this conversation we discuss whole person care, Dr. Lobb’s personal experience with breast cancer and the importance of supporting healing connections in ...

It's been about 10 years since I hiked the West Coast Trail with one of the palliative care social workers who was a colleague at the time. This video popped up in my feed this morning stirring so many rich memories. It is a VERY advanced hike!! Wilderness immersion. We were lucky to only have rain on the first day. It is both beautiful and physically gruelling at times. Shows some of the ladders (my least favourite part!) that I talked of in one of my blogs. Thought I would share so that you can see the magnificent land I get to experience in BC! Nature immersion is not only healing but reminds us that we are part of something so much bigger and beautiful!! Awe inspiring!💖🙏

7 days camping on the most beautiful trail in the world? Hello beautiful humans! It's been a while since my last video upload. My summer has been very full in the best of ways, and I'm finally back with some new...

Sharing my most recent blog in honour of the hospice volunteers...

Acres of Diamonds – The Gifts at Our Feet Recently I revisited the classic story titled “Acres of Diamonds” that was initially highlighted decades ago in the book carrying the same

Dr. Michael Kearney is a noted palliative physician and pioneer in end of life care. He recently sent me this presentation/reflection on resiliency and self care. Thought it would be of value to many in health care right now.

He and I go even deeper into the conversation in an interview we did a number of years ago for my "Inspiring, Heartfelt Conversation" YouTube series. That recording can be found on the "video" page of my website: inautumnscocoon.com

https://youtu.be/LHQo713mpe0?si=vaf62gspEeW0EWoQ

Deep Resilience – When Self Care is Not Enough with Michael Kearney What do we need to not just survive but thrive in the stressful and uncertain times we’re living in? While essential, and valuable, our normal "self-care" st...

Went to see the new documentary on Christopher Reeve last night with a friend in the theatre. Very few people were in attendance yet it is a powerful film and life story on so many levels. Not only for all he accomplished but more so about love, devotion, family and relationships. Deeply moving, inspiring. Worth seeing. Hard to speak after.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story | Official Trailer The man you knew, the story you didn’t. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story - Only in Theaters September 21 and September 25. Tickets Now Available ...

Sharing this again......often the most humbling and challenging thing to do but the one area we have true control over. 🙏💖

Rodney Jones is a legendary jazz guitarist. In this conversation we discuss his incredible career as a musician, time as a professor at Julliard in NYC and the sensitive, and unexpected death of his four year old grand-daughter. We honour the gift of music to uplift, transform and heal after profound loss.

The Gift of Music to Uplift and Heal After a Loss with Jazz Guitarist Rodney Jones Rodney Jones, a luminary of the jazz guitar scene, stands as a revolutionary force redefining tradition with fearless innovation. Born in New Haven, Connecti...

Contemplating on this truth again today......🙏💖

Reflecting on the pure joy for life and adventure that summer often stirs I was inspired to write about the gift of life itself. Sharing the latest blog.....

Letting Go of the Fear of Life and Living Fully Perhaps we should change the focus from overcoming the fear of death to overcoming the fear of life and living fully!

During this time of a chosen "pause" on my platform and re-evaluation of next steps going forward I have contemplated on this subtle yet profound reflection and share it with you again....

Here is my most recent blog post exploring the relationship of structure and flow within our lives and being.

The Highest Art; Embracing Structure and Flow Lately I have been reflecting on the artful dance of structure and flow within my life and being. My natural essence leans to creative expression. Ideas and insights often come to me through dreams, walks in nature and intuitive promptings. I love nature, am fascinated by people, inspiring stories,....

This is an absolutely beautiful, heartfelt, eloquent response by Eckhart Tolle to a woman's question about her grief over the loss of her son. Life, rich in all its seasons, gifts and challenges.

Eckhart Tolle on Reconciling Grief with the Power of Now Eckhart Tolle provides compassionate advice on navigating the challenges of grief and loss in this deeply moving video. He discusses the difference between c...

Spring is in the air! I love seeing the cherry blossoms beginning to emerge on the trees. New life abounds.

It has been just over six years since I launched my platform "In Autumn's Cocoon" to offer end of life awareness and education.

Time for me to take another few months to quietly review what has been created and shared thus far as well as ponder next steps and how best to serve those in need during this tender life transition.

As a result you may not hear from me for a while.

In the meantime, there are many amazing conversations in my "Inspiring, Heartfelt Conversation" YouTube series with noted guests in end of life care for your contemplation. Rich content to learn from. Along with blogs and my book "Honoring the Mystery; Uplifting Insights from the Language, Visions, and Dreams of the Dying".

All this can be found on my website www.inautumnscocoon.com

If you are looking for a guest speaker or workshop presenter for an upcoming event please go to the "Bring Barbara to Your Event" page.

Until next post....enjoy the beauty of spring and the vibrant energy of summer to come! 💖

Photo by Kristine Tanne from Unsplash

These days we seem to highlight the "measurable" as the most important markers for a successful life. Stats, outcomes, etc. Yet those invisible, ineffable, less tangible elements of life, in many ways are even more telling. Deeply profound and the glue that holds it all together.

Love is intellectually batted around in the philosophical and religious realms all the time. The "concept" is every where. Yet in those privileged moments when we "catch" its truth how powerful and transformative it truly is. In the highest sense.

I keep returning to this moment and the many profound experiences in my life where my heart has truly caught this truth, if only briefly.

The Essence of Love It had been weeks on a roller coaster of pain and exhaustion for Gordon (my husband). His spine was beginning to crumble from the various cancers and pain management was a challenge. The palliative doctor was visiting our home sometimes two and three times a week to adjust the medications. I was sti...

Love Dr. Remen's work and writings.

Sharing my latest blog.....

Our True Essence and A Super Man Recently I came across a passage by Viktor Frankl that stirred much reflection. It was from his book Man’s Search for Meaning. In the writing he shares his experience in the German concentration camps during WWII where lives were being destroyed for not fitting into the perceived utopian ideal. Th...

Marie de Hennezel is a French psychologist and psychotherapist. A pioneer in palliative care. She initially worked on the first palliative care unit in a hospital in Paris during the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Marie's book "Intimate Death; How the Dying Teach Us How to Live" first came out in the late nineties and is one of the most beautiful books on end of life care I have ever read.

She is not afraid of the emotional and existential elements at play and through her stories brilliantly models how to lean in and truly "see" the deeper need of a person during their end of life transition.

She is highly respected in France and has gone on to be a strong advocate not only for the gifts of palliative care but also for aging well.

Worth the read. Wise words. Wise woman.

Photo by Aaron Burden from Unsplash

Sharing my latest blog on the mystery of life.

An Eagle Feather, A Blessing and the Mystery of Life To this day I find being present with someone at the time of death incredibly sacred and filled with mystery. In one moment, the shell we call a body is animated with each breath, a unique personality, and a vibrant energy that marks our presence in the physical world. Then, just as quickly, that la...

Conversations around death, dying and grief can happen in a number of ways. For most, it is more dramatic when life throws them into circumstances that force that hand and there is a need to quickly learn and traverse the events unfolding in front of them.

Others will naturally come to a place of curiosity and desire to learn about all the seasons of life and how to better traverse them to enhance their overall life skills. In turn, when each season (including autumn and winter) is faced there is a greater understanding of what can be expected which can help to lesson the fear and confusion.

Though I have not been in a formal professional position in hospice for many years now when I was in the role of Program Director or Coordinator of Volunteers for different hospice societies in the past a big part of my role was to host and teach hospice volunteers in the volunteer trainings. People would come from all walks of life to take a series of workshops to prepare them to work at the bedside of individuals who were dying, support their families/loved ones and companion individuals in grief. Also to work synergistically along side the hospice/palliative medical team members in the various facilities and community.

It was beautiful to see the transformation from the initial trepidation to even take the training to a comfort and ease with the subject. Many said (even before actually doing the bedside or grief support work) that the training alone had been transformative for how they live and view life.

If you know of any organization that is curious and ready to have that conversation and is looking for a guest speaker or workshop presenter to learn more about the basic tenants of death, dying and grief you can go to the "Bring Barbara to Your Event" link below to contact me. https://www.inautumnscocoon.com/bringbarbaratoevent

It is also a wonderful way to bring a greater sensitivity and compassion into the work place knowing that all of us will face these life turning points some day.

Note: Due to the fact I live in British Columbia my main focus to is to work with organizations in the Greater Vancouver region, the province of BC and Canada in general. 💖

The quality of our relationships has such a profound effect on our lives. Have been reflecting on connection, listening and truly "seeing" another person and being "seen". There are SO many theories and perspectives out in the world but each person is profoundly unique in how they experience life.

How to truly honour that and find synergy regarding the varied points of view?

Listening to the audio version of a newer book by David Brooks on the subject titled "How to Know a Person; The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen". Wise reflections. For what it is worth....

Photo credit to Blake Verdoorn from Unsplash.

Time and again we hear in ancient traditions, spiritual teachings, of the power of love and the heart. It is universal. A number of months back I was reflecting on that truth regarding my own life, relationships and work. What it feels like, embodied, how I act, what I say, when I am aligned with it and when I am not. Clear differences emerge from both.

In high art there is a blending of both structure and flow. An honouring of both. Each complimenting the other. Love is the catalyst to bring the two together. It is miraculously transcendent.

My intent this year is to continue to be curious, open, listen and align even more deeply with my heart and lead from that place.

In this world of increasing research and scientific theories it takes even greater intent, graceful care, to do so. Move from the head and lead more deeply with the heart. Authentically.

Then grace emerges and mystery opens to new unexpected vistas, possibilities and insights. Relationship deepens. Within ourselves and others.

Sharing my recent blog again in honour of the heart's wisdom.

Happy New Year! 💖

The Dance of Head and Heart Lately I have been reflecting on my journey in hospice and end of life care which now spans decades. Truly did not in any way plan to have this as a life path when it first appeared, in my early thirties, as what I would consider to be an “invitation”. One serendipitous event after another align...