Edward’s presentation is called, “Who Hugs the Hugger: A Mythology of Self Care”
Once upon a time, or maybe it was many times ago, when you experienced that the sky was falling, that moment of being overwhelmed, similar to the story of Chicken Little, instead you found the courage to pause and take a deep breath, and somehow a calm came over you and insight emerged. At this moment you entered that liminal space, the land we may call OZ, where imagination took flight birthing a new call to adventure. Where would we be without the myths to guide and comfort us? Like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, or to snuggle up to one we love, or to be captivated by a poem, a novel, a sonata, or a work of art, new insight and wisdom emerged. We become lost in the certitude of that moment, that we are not alone, and are comforted.
To care for one’s self is such an adventure. While most of us love to be pampered, few of us take the time for self care. The mythology of self care invites the inductee to explore the archetypes of the hero, the caregiver, the lover, the wounded healer, and the practice of hospitality. Travel any way you like. You can walk, hike, sit on the back of a camel, ride in a rickshaw, or sit on an imaginary magic carpet as you become a participant in a pilgrimage that is being assembled. Who are the caregivers among us? We all are, for at the heart of being human is the capacity to care, to reach out to others and to build relationships.
About Ed:
Edward M. Smink, PhD defended his doctoral thesis, “Thresholds of Afflictions: The Heroic Journey of Healing,” at Pacifica in May of 2010 and graduated with a PhD in Depth Psychology. He has over forty years of experience in healthcare as nurse, crisis and pastoral counselor, executive leader, facilitator of mission, ethics, value and leadership formation and community health. He served on local, regional and international committees of value formation in the United States, Australia, Korea, England, Spain and Italy. Edward likes to claim that along with his academic credentials, he has learned most from his experience with colleagues who care for others and from those who needed his services. Edward’s focus includes an emphasis on the development of strengths and the integration of values in personal and professional practice. He is passionate about the universal values and archetypes that unite humankind and with his background in mythological studies, enjoys discovering the unique personal stories of each client that contribute to successful outcomes.
“Who Hugs the Hugger: A Mythology of Self-Care” is gleaned from Edward’s book, The Soul of Caregiving: A Caregiver’s Guide to Healing and Transformation. Learn more at www.soulofcaregiving.com.