We all look for summaries of concepts. Most of us need to distill ideas into a set of principles or steps. 

   Radical Loving Care is the application of the Golden Rule to caregiving. I've made an effort to list twelve principles that describe the basis of what this means.

   I would be grateful if you would let me know if you have additions or subtractions or like it as is.

1. LOVE: Live Love not fear. We are all children of Love, not victims of
fear.

2. RLC DEFINED: Radical Loving Care is the practice of The Golden Rule in
a health care setting.  

3. RLC BALANCE: RLC puts compassion in balance with competence to create
healing experiences. It shines through stories like The Good Samaritan.

4. THE MOTHER TEST: Every patient should receive from every caregiver the kind of care we want for our mothers.

5. SACRED ENCOUNTER: Radical Loving Care is present when need is met with
Love rather than indifference.

6. CULTURE IMPACT: The biggest determinant of caregiver behavior is work
place culture.

7. CULTURE CREATION: Passing The Mother Test requires establishing
cultures that consistently reinforce loving care.   

8. STORYTELLING – Stories signal values. The biggest indicator of loving
culture is seen in the stories that are told.

9. SERVANT’S HEART: Caregiving is a sacred calling practiced by those who
have a servant’s heart.

10. LEADER’S ROLE: The first responsibility of a leader is to take care of
the people who take care of people.

11. POSITIVE LANGUAGE: What we love matters, not what we fear.

12. RENEWAL: The practice of Radical Loving Care requires constant
refreshment & renewal and is nurtured by ritual.

-Erie Chapman

[This list appears in the forthcoming book, Inside Radical Loving Care.]