Anniversary Time

The Journal of Sacred Work was launched exactly one year ago today. Our goal at the time was to create meditations for caregivers and a forum for caregivers to communicate with each other.
The numbers suggest some success. Since it began, this site has received well over 40,000 "hits." Interestingly, 15% of those who visit the Journal are from outside the United States.
This is the 320th article. A new essay appears before you almost every day.
Importantly, there have been 1294 comments posted to this weblog. This means so much to us. To write often means sending your words into the air never knowing if anyone has seen them. Those of you who have been kind enough to comment have helped to keep the energy of this effort alive. Special thanks to regular posters Liz Wessel, Karen York, Diana Gallaher, Jan Keeling and Dr. Tom Knowles-Bagwell….

Ms. Wessel has done another marvelous thing. She forwards the meditations to hundreds of people throughout the 14-hospital St. Joseph Health System. She has also, like Karen, Diana, and Tom, written columns for the Journal.
Special thanks, as well, to my colleague Catherine Self, who has been a frequent contributor to this effort and now brings her light to our mission as the Senior Vice President of the Baptist Healing Trust.
I am grateful to each of you for your participation in this effort to advance the loving care movement in America’s hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and charities. Every caregiver needs support.
Although there have been days when I wasn’t sure I had the energy to post another column, I suspect that I have been the Journal’s biggest beneficiary. One of the best ways to meditate on any subject is to write about it. Thank you for letting me do that across these twelve months.

-Erie Chapman

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Categories: Meditations

Tags: Journal Meditation Erie Chapman

9 responses to “Anniversary Time”

Edwin Loftin

June 7, 2007 at 6:22 am

Erie, The Journal is such a meaningful and hands on way to spread the infectious nature of loving and healing care.
Thank You

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Karen York

June 7, 2007 at 8:17 am

Thank YOU Erie for your vision in creating this space and for your continued energy to writing such loving and encouraging meditations for all of us. Here’s to another year!

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liz Wessel

June 7, 2007 at 8:43 am

On this special day, what a wonderful affirmation it would be to make Love visible. When all is said and done, it is not so much, what we say or do, but that it was done in a spirit of Love.

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Diana Gallaher

June 7, 2007 at 8:49 am

I too am so appreciative of your vision and willingness to put a great deal of energy into these meditations, Erie. This work is so important. Thank you all for knowing this is important and having the courage to act on it. I’m looking forward to the 10 year anniversary!

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Tom Knowles-Bagwell

June 7, 2007 at 9:15 am

I can only echo what all these others are saying, Erie. This site has been a wonderful resource for me during the past year. The work you do in writing meditations for us means more than you can know. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. And I, too, look forward to the tenth anniversary.

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Sonya Jones

June 7, 2007 at 10:17 am

Erie, Your work touches many lives outside of the healthcare industry as well. I regularly forward them to my husband and son who are in restaurant and staffing industries.
Love, compassion, presence and self-care are aspects of all life that are often overlooked. Daily, you bring these to the forefront and remind us of our relevance to each other and while all of our assignments are different, they are all necessary in life’s journey. I love this community of contributors and can’t thank you enough for your vision and perseverance to provide such a blessed vessel of healing.

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Erie Chapman

June 7, 2007 at 1:59 pm

Thanks to each of your for your very kind comments. Thanks, also, for being such active participants in this effort. It seems that our spirituality needs constant nurturing and each of you are wonderful nurturers.

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martha

June 7, 2007 at 7:46 pm

Thank you Erie, for having the energy, even when YOU think you didn’t have it and sharing your wisdom and loving and caring ways with so many. We, the readers, appreciate the time you take to write out the words we would like to instill in our minds and be able to share with others through our actions in everyday life.

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liz Wessel

June 7, 2007 at 9:19 pm

The Journal has created an incredible journey into Loving Care. I’ve discovered great value in taking time to reflect on the daily teachings. I have benefited tremendously personally and professionally as I have been nourished and strengthened in my awareness, understanding, and resolve to become a more Loving caregiver.
The Journal provides a forum for exploration, meaningful dialogue, and connection with others. I am grateful to those who step out there and post comments as we have evolved into a circle of caring, supporting, encouraging, and nudging each other to action. Congratulations and thank you Erie, for this gift of Love that is so gratefully received by so many caregivers. Congratulations Catherine in your role as Sr. V.P. at the Baptist Healing Trust and for the blessings of your insight and wisdom that you share with us. Thanks fellow readers for sharing honest responses to the ideals of Loving Care, as well as the disappointing realities in healthcare, and for your unquenchable thirst to engage in Loving Care and service.

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