As we age, our focus so often involves the physical aspects of our lives: getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, and treating what ails us. But our later years, like any other life-cycle, is a time to be celebrated and can be a time for deep fulfillment and inspiration. Janine Fifield, Volunteer Coordinator at The Cedars, recognizes this and has begun offering a discussion group for our residents called Angels on Earth.
“We find a quiet area and have anywhere from six to 15 attendants. One Saturday I had several family members join in,” Janine explains. They begin the group by reading a real-life story where the author relates a challenging time or difficult situation in their lives that they were able to overcome, through the help of others or from an unexpected change in events.
From there, the conversations flow. The residents offer their own stories about personal circumstances and losses, and how they’ve gotten through them with their own version of spirituality and strength. “The residents are fully engaged and seem to find inspiration from each other,” Janine explains, “the subject holds their attention so well. And we all leave feeling a bit lighter and perhaps more honed into our own sense of purpose.”
For more information on wellness and inspiration as we age, contact Janine at jfifield@thecedarsportland.org