I wanted to start off by wishing everyone well as we move into the winter season and continue to deal with the challenges of Covid-19. I want to thank you for your incredible commitment and dedication to trying to keep people safe. Every small gesture like washing your hands, wearing a mask, limiting your contacts, keeping your distance, and staying home when you are not feeling well is a sign of compassion and hope, carried out by each of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I also want to extend my gratitude to the leadership of our Network organisations who met together as a group for the first time since last spring. It was simply a delight for us to be in community again and to check in with each other. They all shared the joys and challenges of managing through these the uncertain times. Each one of our leaders was most grateful and very proud of the people who work within our Network. They have and continue to step up in all sorts of ways to keep people safe and well despite the challenges. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Our time together also provided us with an opportunity to think about things we may want to take on as a Network. Our need to connect is innate and we know the current environment has placed limits on our ability to be with others. Loneliness is an issue that is top of mind for our Network leadership teams. Although many strategies have been put in place during the pandemic, we will be looking at this together to see if there are other ideas to support all our Network clients, residents and families.
As a reminder for all of us moving forward, it’s never been more important to shore up our mental and physical health. There are so many things we can do to stay healthy; go for a walk, try an at-home exercise class (the internet is full of free options), experiment with flavourful, veggie-filled meals, take a nap, drink some water. Each act of kindness towards ourselves creates resiliency for difficult times to come.
We can strengthen our emotional state, too. The Compassion Network’s next Online Mindful Self-Compassion course starts on November 6th and is a wonderful introduction to the power of kindness and compassion when we apply it to ourselves. You can learn to tame your inner critic, offer yourself moments of peace and build your capacity to stay in the moment. Read more about this course, and all the courses being offered throughout the Network HERE.
Enjoy this latest edition of our newsletter.
Blessings to all of you,
Daniel Lussier
