In enabling the work of Living Words to be visible and upscaled, necessary leaps are beginning to be taken by myself, associates and trustees – this often involves promotion of the work in one form or another. Personally I have found it difficult to promote the work of Living Words until the last year or so, preferring to just do the work on the ground. This is partly I think due to the intimacy of the work and partly due to fearing that the integrity of the work is somehow slighted through promotion. And there are other issues too. And I still find it tough. Bear with me –
Following an exposing and enlightening board meeting last week I went to see my private client P. Thoughts on Living Words’ vision and how far I have personally come, coupled with the old fear of visibility were on my mind throughout the journey to see him. Prior to the session I cleared my mind through meditation (as is the practice) before entering the hospital with open heart and without expectation. After the usual delicate introduction I began to write P’s words down, recorder on the table to bear witness. A writer of stature who often speaks of one’s responsibility to live well and to respect your talents, his words that afternoon resonated with my earlier thoughts. I feel it right to lay a few of them here for you to read:
‘You got to see yourself as giving – something you are doing for others. You are giving something that is hidden from everyone else. Oh yes, express it. I mean, in fulfilling the work you are giving something more to it, make it more liveable. It’s all to have faith.’
Living Words connects people, enables the seeing of personhood in environments where it can be easy to only see disease and lack. Self-worth can be enhanced in residents and carers. We present words that have been hidden for a while, sometimes due to time constraints, often due to assumption. Working as a carer or nurse or activity co-ordinator is the hardest job going, Living Words offers support and recognition and gives something to aide daily practice. P’s words that day help me, I am so thankful to him. I have in my mind the importance of showing what is hidden – it is my responsibility to express it, to give, to make life more liveable. And the years working on the ground mean foundations have been dug, and the deeper you dig the more solid the structure, so perhaps it is good that this move to promotion and upscaling has taken the time it has? The leaps of faith have support.