MONTHLY MEETING SPEAKERS

January 6th, 2011 "“ "CREATING COMPASSION:  Effects on Health and Wellbeing"   Presented by:  N. Lee Smith, M. D.

Much (most?) distress affecting health arises from difficult relationships and self-judging.  Research suggests that connectedness and compassion may most mediate the effects of spiritual practices on health, and that practical compassion meditation may have greater beneficial effects than other practices.  Dr. Smith discussed how such healing compassion can be created, both for the practitioner and patient. 
Dr. Smith is a member of the SHIM Board of Trustees.  He has spent 20 years creating and directing a clinical program for stress-related physical illness.  He speaks to health care professional throughout the country sharing his knowledge and techniques in the field of Internal and Behavioral Medicine.
Click here for Dr. Smith's Power Point Presentation "CREATING COMPASSION".

February 3rd, 2011 "“ "HOPES AND DREAMS"Presented by George L. Garff and Pearl Wagstaff Garff

As owners of the Life Arts Center this amazing husband and wife team combine their talents and education to enrich the lives of children and families through integrated arts, multi-intelligence, emotional and social literacy along with developmentally appropriate practices.
George is the Owner, Administrative Director and Principal of the Life Arts Center.  He is an Ordained Minister with the Inner Light Center.  Because of his commitment to children, he sits on two state boards.  He is currently president of the Utah Association of Education of Young Children and a Committee Member of the Child Care Licensing Committee.  He has attended Westminster College and the University of Utah where he has done studies at the Graduate School of Social Work in alcohol and drug addiction counseling.
Pearl is Teacher/Healer and Artistic Director at the Life Arts Center.  "˜Miss Pearl' has been her beloved title for more than 48 years as she has spun the magic for hundreds of emergent learners.  Among her expansive education, her most recent is Shamanic Studies and Light. We spent a delightful evening with this couple sharing their passions. Pearl shared her Shamanic healing traditions.
George enlightened us concerning our Hopes and Dreams and our ability to achieve them.
Hopesare the beliefs in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.  Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams come true.
Dreams are "“ Something hoped for, ambitions, aspirations, usually something difficult to attain.

The Importance of Nurturing Our Hopes and Dreams:

1. Making our dreams come true makes life interesting and exciting
2. The mere act of dreaming awakens the dream and adds meaning and purpose to our life.
3. If we don't dream about the future, how will we know where we are going?
4. When we build our dreams, our dreams build us.  The more we can dream, the more we can do.

The Magic of Dreams:

1. Look at the miracles that surround you, they all started as dreams!  Our dreams are beacons that reveal possibilities and allow us to transform life.
2. Glory, victory, and honor only come to those who dare to dream.
3. The achievement of your dreams will vanquish your problems, and success belongs to those who follow their dreams.
4. Anything that you can imagine, you can achieve; anything that you can dream signifies you have the power to accomplish it.

Visualization (Imagery) to Reinforce Our Dreams: Led by George

1. Choose one dream to visualize.
2. Relax, breathe slowly, close your eyes.
3. Practice seeing yourself in your mind's eye with your goal already accomplished.
4. To help you imagine victory and how you feel, ask yourself the following questions:  
   1. What would it be like if I were to achieve my dream?
   2. What would be different?
   3. What would I be doing?
   4. How would I feel?
   5. Why would I be happy and excited?
5. Do this daily or as often as possible.

Remember: If your dreams turn to dust, vacuum the rug and start again, for those who persist will be victorious!    Chuck Gallozzi
For more information about George and Pearl visit: www.lifeartscenter.com

March 3rd, 2011 - "CREATING COMPASSION - PART 2"  Presented by Cathy Seegers, APRN, NP

Cathy Seegers is a member of the SHIM Board of Trustees.  She has special interest in various approaches to providing healing support for the whole person.  She obtained her M.S. Degree in nursing from the University of Utah and is board certified in the specialties of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner. 
Cathy followed-up Dr. N. Lee Smith's January 6th presentation where he offered an excellent review of the importance of practicing compassion, and its many benefits. He discussed that in these times of rapid change, we can turn to timeless wisdom approaches to manage our modern stressors.  Benefits can be seen sometimes quickly and can be long-lasting for body, mind, relationships and spiritual well-being.
Cathy took us on an experiential journey exploring some of the simple approaches to compassion practices in a fun and relaxing evening.  She taught us about the many benefits of mindfulness by guiding us through different meditation practices.
Cathy suggested several of her favorite authors in the field of "Mindfulness and Creating Compassion":

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.

• "Wherever You Go, There You Are:  Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life"
• "Full Catastrophe Living:  Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and   Illness"
• "Full Catastrophe Living:  How to Cope With Stress, Pain and Illness Using Mindfulness Meditation"
• "The Power of Meditation and Prayer"
• "Coming to Our Senses:  Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness"
• "The Mindful Way Through Depression:  Freeing Yourself From Chronic Unhappiness"
• "Arriving at Your Own Door"
• "Letting Everything Become Your Teacher:  100 Lessons in Mindfulness"

Christopher Germer, Ph.D.

• "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion"
• "Self-Compassion:  Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind"
• "The Mindfulness Solution:  Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems"
• "The Compassionate Mind"

Ronald Siegel, Psy.D.

• "The Mindfulness Solution:  Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems"
• "Mindfulness and Psychotherapy"
• "Harvard Medical School Positive Psychology:  Harnessing the Power of Happiness, Personal Strength and Mindfulness"

Thich Nhat Hanh (Teacher Zen Master)

• "Peace is Every Step:  The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life"
• "The Miracle of Mindfulness"
• "True Love:  A Practice for Awakening the Heart"
• "Reconciliation:  Healing the Inner Child"
• "Happiness:  Essential Mindfulness Practices"
• "Mindful Movement:  Ten Exercises for Wellbeing"
• "You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment"
• "Be Free Where You Are"

(And many, many more...)

April 7th, 2011 " "THE METAPHOR OF THE CRUCIBLE " Discovering New Possibilities"  Presented by Al Zylstra, Ph. D.

Al Zystra is a member of the SHIM Board of Trustees.  He holds a Ph.D. in psychology from BYU.  He has worked as a consulting psychologist to government entities, been in private practice and is often requested as a keynote speaker and presenter.  His focus of study and research for 40 years is the greatness and resiliency of the human being.
Al's presentation described how metaphors prime individuals for life changing behaviors.  The discussion centered on the ancient technique of teaching principles that change lives through metaphors, allegories and stories.  Metaphors are as modern, balanced and useful in the present as they were 3,000 years ago.  There is wholeness, uniqueness, mettle and new possibility in every individual if each will discover and refine inherent gifts.  We should never limit our possibilities through descriptions and conclusions of who we think we are.  This was an object lesson presented with Al's unique teaching style making it informative, enlightening and fun.
"Metaphor of the Crucible" - Article
"Metaphor of the Crucible" - PowerPoint Notes