Creating Our Life

1. Creating Our Life Thoughts from An Activity Director Joan Marie Edel ADC

2. This is basically a Workshop on Identity. Our Identities are the Sum total of all of our : • Experiences • Choices • Activities Some Good /Some Challenging

3. It’s the Same for our Individuals On one hand we basically are who we are. We do recreate ourselves in different settings/organizations/activities I wouldn’t act the same in church as I would out in a night club. On the other hand, though we are basically who we are, sometimes major life events will change us drastically, right down to our core.

4. Life on Life Terms. At those points of our life our identity changes/expands. As the consummate bard Frank Sinatra always said-That’s Life

5. Can we name Some Major Life events? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

6. Identity Changes that might occur from these Major Life Events? 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6.

7. We don’t lose who we were, our experiences are still the same, but we continue to have more experiences. Since as we said before, we are the sum total of those experiences, we continue evolving. Repeated Re-creation of Self

8. It’s the same for our residents/individuals However………………….. Their ability to adjust to the changes is more difficult due to being… faced with some of those major events, living without a spouse, living in a new place without loved ones or people they are familiar with. Living with Illness/confusion.

9. I’m a firm believer that to better understand others we need to work on understanding ourselves better. It’s important to know who we are to help our people understand who they are in their current setting Write these words down Leave some space between each to elaborate. Identity/Thought/Vision/Direction/Action

10. How do you define the word Identity? The sameness some individuals share to make up the same kind or universal. · The difference or character that marks off an individual from the rest of the same kind, selfhood. · A name or persona—the mask or appearance one presents to the world—by which one is known. (This criminal has taken on several identities) · Knowledge of who one is. (I've been through so many changes, I have no sense of identity)

11. Selfhood-What a Neat Word? One word to encompass so much. Mask or appearance one presents to the world-by which one is known. Not an accident that the word mask is used. A favorite Quote of mine “All the world’s a stage, and you and I merely players”. But Most Importantly and Simply Put-Knowledge of who one is. At this point some, maybe many of the individuals in our communities may be a bit hazy and unclear on this Self Knowledge.

12. How do you define the word thought? the act or process of thinking; reflection; meditation · the power of reasoning, or of conceiving ideas; capacity for thinking; intellect; imagination · a result of thinking; idea, concept, opinion, etc. · the ideas, principles, opinions, etc. prevalent at a given time or place or among a given people: modern thought in education · attention; consideration; heed: give it a moment's thought · mental engrossment; preoccupation; concentration: deep in thought · intention or expectation: no thought of leaving

13. Ideas/Imagination/Intention I know I’m preaching to the Choir here, but you are the choir that sings it to the rest of the community staff. Here’s something to ponder: Why do some people assume or dismiss that older individuals have ideas, imagination, opinions-they do things with intention.

14. Story 97 year Old- Artist Encouraged me, Do art for you not for others approval. Painted til 2 weeks before she died. Why? …….. Identity. Who she had always been never left her Thoughts. Thoughts have a creative power all their own. Every good idea or a bad one for that matter started out with a thought. Thought comes before Action. When Clear and detailed thought does not come before action Results can be Dangerous Look at that red glowing burner on the stove it looks pretty I think I’ll touch it. Look at this Frozen Piece of metal outdoors, Let me stick my tongue on it. Here is this Bee Hive Let me Shake it. Or More Seriously the choice to Drink and Drive

15. How do you define Vision? • · the act or power of seeing with the eye; sense of sight • · something seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet • the experience of having such a perception or revelation· a mental image; esp., an imaginative contemplation: to have visions of power • · the ability to perceive something not actually visible, as through mental acuteness or keen foresight: a project made possible by one man's vision • force or power of imagination: a statesman of great vision· something or someone, esp. a woman, of extraordinary beauty

16. Have we ask our people if they have a Dream? A Vision? If there’s something they have always wanted to do? If you are not doing it already create a program around the topic of Your Dream or Your Vision. You Might be Surprised at what you’ll learn about the individuals you serve. Movies: The Bucket List/Patch Adams

17. How do you define Direction? • · an aspect, line of development, way, trend, etc.: research in new directions • · Theater· the act of directing; management; supervision • · instructions for doing, operating, using, preparing, etc. • · an authoritative order or command • · the point toward which something faces or the line along which something moves or lies: “north,” “up,” “forward,” and “left” are directions • the director's plan for achieving certain effects, as of acting, lighting, etc. • the instructions for this to the actors and others • · Music • a word, phrase, or sign showing how a note, passage, etc. is to be played • the work or art of directing a choir, band, etc.

18. We have to help the individuals we serve develop a direction to the vision we help them discover. . What vision in our lives needs some direction? Something to think about.

19. How do You Define Action? The definition of an action is something that is done or performed. Direction and Action the 2 areas that our people will need the most assistance in. Creating a Plan and then Carrying it Out, to make their Vision Become a Reality if possible In the song“ My Life” by Billy Joel There is a Line that states…… I Still Belong, Don’t get me wrong

20. What Connects us to Life? 1. 2. 3. 4

21. Who Are We and What Do We Want to BECOME? Definition of Become- Begin to Be I believe that we can “begin” to be anything we imagine at any age. Why Do we limit ourselves? Did you ever hear the phrase God’s Plans put Man’s Best Dreams to Shame

22. Create Your Wish List and Add A Program to Your Calendars Called Wish List and Help Your Individuals Create Theirs. Identity/Thought/Vision/Direction/Action Knowing these terms and how they fit into our lives let’s us think about the individuals we serve. How would we assist them with staying connected to their historical identity, And or creating new identities.

23. Can we come up with Any Examples of How to Keep People Connected. Programming for…….. A Priest who’s Hobby is Fishing? A Dancer who is an avid Baker? A Pilot who likes to sew? A Homemaker who like extreme sports?