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Graceful Endings offers simple strategies for creating a graceful end of life experience. It contains true stories of individuals who chose to die consciously, fully alive and open to the wonders that can arise in this fragile and sacred passage of life. It provides tools for surviving and even thriving through the roller coaster of emotions in facing death — practices that sustain the dying and those that love them throughout the journey.
With deep candor, former Hospice Spiritual Care Director and best-selling author, Linda Kavelin-Popov explores the faces and phases of grief. She shares her own experience as a caregiver for her younger brother, John, who died of brain cancer, and the inspiring story of how John faced his own death with reverence, trust, and joy. | 2/03/2013 5:25 p.m. | | | Approved |
| | | A second hand Educators Guide is required to purchase. | 6/06/2010 2:34 p.m. | 31/07/2010 | | Approved |
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The CD, Children of One Earth, by Radha & the Kiwikids, won the international Peace Music Award this year. "We are very pleased that a New Zealand album took the award," says composer and producer, Radha Sahar, "and I want to thank the Virtues Project which is a constant source of inspiration for me." The wide selection of songs in English, are easy-listening, & sing-long fun for children of all ages. Available from www.ucamusic.com | 22/11/2007 2:04 p.m. | 1/01/2010 | | Approved |
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Kia ora koutou from Aotearoa, New Zealand
I would just like to express my gratitude to Linda, Dan and John for their Generosity of Spirit in recognising the wonderful ways that we can all live a better life through The Virtues Project.
Last weekend I was privileged to attend the Global Mentoring up at our glorious Mount Ruapehu.
To spend 5 glorious days on one of NewZealand's tallest mountains in the company of a large number of people who shared similar vision for the world was overwhelming.
Thanks go as well to the Taupo Virtues Connecvtion for their amazing planning whoich enabled us to stay at The Chateau.
For 5 days we lived breathed and immersed ourselves in peace and calm and positive relationships.
We are so fortunate to be able to express our feelings at gatherings such as this. I hope one day that all the peoples of our globe will one day have this freedom.
I trust that by reading this some of you will be inspired to discover what the Virtues Project has for you in the way of expanding your outlook and increasing your ability to see the world through a new lense.
I came away from the weekend with many wonderful memories and I wish each and every person who attended and who might be affected by someoine who attended the very BEST for the future.
Beauty
Elegance
Simplicity
Timeliness
Naku noa na
Arohanui
Suzy D Rock-Evans
Aotearoa, New Zealand | 16/11/2007 3:02 p.m. | 1/01/2010 | Suzy D Rock-evans 6 Canterbury Street Karori Wellington New Zealand Phone (04) 9725370 Work (04) 4997324 Cell 027 696 2028 Email s.rock-evans@kidicorp.co.nz | Approved |
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Kia ora Virtues Friends,
I recently attended a 2-day and a 3-day Intensive in beautiful New Plymouth. For each of the 3 days of the latter we were inspired and humbled by Mount Taranaki coated in pristine white snow and baked by a blue, blue sky.
Each day since I have had this vision as I prepare to bring the people with whom I work into the serenity of a Virtues-laden life.
The journey has begun and I am constantly reminded of the benefits of sharing my own Virtues-pick with family, colleagues and sometimes with complete strangers.
The example I wish to share is one which took place in a service station last week. I was returning home after working in Wanganui, (approx 240 k North West of where I live). I had just filled up with petrol and was at the counter when a young man came in to pay for his own petrol. He didn't have quite enough and was rummaging in his pocket. The service station owner was insistnt that the young man pay the full amount. There was a shortfall of about $5.00.
The word, 'Compassion' came into my mind and I pushed a $5.00 note into the customer's hand. I was also aware of, 'Thankfulness' for having the note in my purse. The young man reluctantly accepted the offer and he set off. I paid for my petrol and also left.
A few kilometres further on I had pulled off the highway to take a phone call. A car pulled up alongside. The young man from the service station had seen my car on the side of the road and, thinking I was in trouble had stopped to offer help.
I thanked him and we went our separate ways.
I reflected on this wonderful experience and I couldn't help thinking that there were a whole bundle of virtues that were present in this very small moment in a very small country. | 19/08/2007 4:53 p.m. | 1/01/2010 | Suzy Rock-Evans
6 Canterbury Street
Wellington
New Zealand | Approved |
| | | Dear Virtues Friends,
Stephen and Denise are back in Korea after delivering Virtues workshops in Sapporo, Japan. Two parenting workshops, a 12 hour weekend workshop with assistance from a Japanese translator for a bi-lingual delivery. Finally an educators worshop at a local International School.
The focus was upon 'Bringing Out the Best in Boys". and was requested by Ruth Susuki and her Virtues friends who visably demonstrate service to their community, and each other. Stephen and I joined this enthusiastic team whose trust and truthfulness will leave a lasting legacy of gentleness and co-operation for those touched by the Sapporo Virtues messages.
One teachable moment from the Sapporo Virtues was the use of the Virtues in creating family/partnership vision statements. Using a process suggested by Linda and adding some creative flair we developed a process that can make a difference to family life. Like all things, Virtues, its the simplicity that works.
Arohahui
Stephen and Denise Hobo-Tuck
| 12/02/2007 9:00 p.m. | 31/03/2007 | | Approved |
| | | Tuesday 2 January
To our dear virtues family throughout the world,
We send our love and gratitude to you all for your passion, your service and your love for the virtues. We have reflected deeply on the potential for the year 2007, and discern the promise of a new mindfulness, a new opening to the Grace that humanity is capable of receiving. May each of us open ourselves to our own measure of Grace for the coming year.
This year, we offer you a theme to bring the virtues to life in 2007. Two virtues stand out for the coming year: Purity and Truthfulness. The theme is - "Let us live our purist truth."
As we begin this new year, let us imagine a clean slate on which to write only the pure truth of our lives, that which is real, authentic and in the deepest integrity.
Let us anchor our global Virtues Project community in a deeper truthfulness. Let us build our dreams and plans in 2007 on the bedrock of truth, purifying our lives of anything that violates our integrity. We know that a small group of people can transform the character of the world, and create a spiritual tipping point. Let us be among them.
Here are some questions for reflection:
What do we need to purify from our lives ?
What habits and limitations are we called to release ?
What unforegiven resentments do we need to clear up ?
What virtues will allow us to cleanse our thoughts and relationships of negativity?
What steps can we take to create a space of grace, by keeping in our homes and work spaces, as William Morris says,"only what we know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"?
What will empower us to purify our health practices and our diets as we purify our purpose?
We are thankful for the gift of Purity.
It gives us a fresh start.
What will our lives be like as we live our authentic truth ?
What story do we tell ourselves that we need to discard in order to know the truth ?
What life design does true discernment reveal to us ?
What will give us the courage to let go of self deception and be content with the truth.
What allows us to always tell the truth with tact ?
We are thankful for the gift of Truthfulness.
It is our holy ground.
The Founders feel a renewed sense of purpose and clarity to share the simple, pure truths of virtues with a wider audience. We look forwrd to embracing the challenges and opportunities of the coming year with you. May the dream of peace become a reality -- in our lives, our families and our communities. As Ghandi, said. "Let us be the change we wish to see in the world"
With love and blessings
John Kavelin
Dan Popov
Linda Kavelin Popov | 4/01/2007 6:27 p.m. | 30/06/2007 | Denise Hobo-Tuck
deevirtues @hotmail.com (New email address) | Approved |
| | | I am sharing one way to get things happening at your local level. It has taken 3-4 patient years to get here, so I am happy to share the shortcuts now in place.
* Find out who manages Tertiary Education funding for the community in your area. High Schools used to do this - and offered evening classes - however, many here dropped out of managing the funding themselves due to increased paperwork requirements making it too expensive. If there is a local school running night classes, ask them to give you the contact for approving funding.
* Put in a proposal to the funding organisation for running Community Education courses - it fits with their criteria. I aks for 2.5 hours per night - have found this to be more effective than 2 hours and have no problem at all getting folk to come along and stay the distance.
I am happy to share a 6 week outline with you which covers the philosophy and practise of the 5 Strategies - gives them an understanding that means they can have success with the strategies.
I encourage you to have confidence that you can indeed cover all 5 strategies effectively in 6 evenings, having a whole lot of fun along the way! If you've not facilitated Awakening the Virtues before now, what a fabulous way to begin - one little chunk at a time. You have space between each week to reflect and refine.
If this interests you and you want some support, I am happy to help where I can.
Cheers
Angevahn
virtuestaranaki@xtra.co.nz
| 8/11/2006 5:21 p.m. | 1/01/2010 | | Approved |
| | | Good morning Virtues Colleagues,
It is early autumn and our school is buzzing with the sounds of various musical themes as classrooms prepare for the School Festival which the local community attends.
My position in this Elementry School is unique by Korean standards because I work across the curriculum, interacting with my coleagues, students and parents on different levels. Our family live a short walk walk from the school in a 13th floor apartment. My walk to school is through the heart of the community linked to the school. Many children and adults now greet me or my husband as we have become part of their familiar routines.
I have had the opportunity to introduce the "Virtues" using a multi-level approach. A personal, classroom, teachers and parents programme.
The classroom is guided by team teaching principles and it was during the summer vacation that I was inspired to write programmes to address all levels. It was the "simplicity" that is the virtues which gave me the confidence to attempt this project. Because of my language barrier "simple is best" and is working a treat, again supporting a virtues slogan. !!
I began with an English teaching team meeting which outlined my intentions and asked that the 2 English speaking teachers chose 1 virtues as a contribution to the Boundaries of the English language teaching lab. We came up with Courtesy, Thankfulness, Respect, and Cooperation.
Our virtue of the week is displayed in the lab. as is the colourful poster of all 4 boundaries. We decided that a Virtues Voucher reward system could be introduced, where students exchange a voucher for a candy at the end of each lesson. I make a point of naming a behaviour on the voucher, that links to the Virtue of the week as another method of reinforcing appropriate English lab behaviour and language acquisition.
I have a short introductory slot with all classes where all participants repeat the virtue of the week and I give short explanations ...e.g. Courtesy is smiling when we talk to our teacher or to our friends. I can use this common understanding to manage students behaviour in new and empowering ways to build a virtues centred learning environment.
May the spirit of the Virtues Project be alive in your day.
Denise Hobo-Tuck
| 8/11/2006 1:06 p.m. | 31/10/2006 | | Approved |
| | | I greet you this new day with Joy and Thankfulness,
Korean families are preparing for Chuseok which is the traditional time for families to celebrate their ancestors and to spend time together. It is estimated that some 50 million folk will be travelling familiar routes to their hometowns. Seems very timely to share a little of the Virtues Parenting Programme I have introduced to the adults class, which is driven by their enthusiasm to learn English.
I have written a booklet for this programme. All participants can anticipate the weekly topics. My students are very keen to have homework and to do the necessary preparation. Memories of their education focus upon high expectations, harsh discipline, and much anxiety. I have consciously created a learning environment which captures their interest in a multi-sensory manner. Hence a story read in Korean by all present.....my contribution is to read the story in English. We then sing an English song with actions, by this time most adults have forgotten that they are learning and are responding spontaneously sometimes with scaffolding from me or another member of the group. This I believe is the magic of group learning when common interest creates unity.
I really did not know how I could teach the Language of the Virtues particularly considering I do not speak the language of the country. Some course participants have access to limited English and I have a Korean English speaking co-teacher as an interpreter.
I used the "Building Blocks of Virtues" handout as an introduction to an activity, where the parents used familiar Virtues language as labels, to attach to wooden blocks which they balanced together to make a block construction. This was a powerful metaphor. I noticed that the adults active involvement in the task contributed to their ability to begin conversational English, which each one of them would consider a dream come true.
When discussing "Boundaries" in our second session all participants could name some rules that were part of their daily family lives. One parent was able to articulate her concern for children spending too much time in front of technological gadgets. Another talked about speaking gently...which she had read in the days notes.... as she had a habit of becoming frustrated and screaming at her children. It struck me that I could have been in New Zealand hearing the same stories !!
I have been witness to the universal language and flexibility of the Virtues Project resources..... a gift in itself. May this inspire you to take that step and grow the Virtues in your world.
Denise Hobo-Tuck | 8/11/2006 1:06 p.m. | 30/11/2006 | | Approved |
| | | Good morning New Zealand Virtues,
As the demands of student and staff expectations rise here at Bugaeseo Elementary School. It is the virtues of gentleness, purposefulness and tact that enter to be a reminder of what's truly important as we work our way through daily schedules.
Purposefulness gives a clear focus away from the emotions which can at times cloud judgement. This brings a concentrated effort so that something good will happen as a result. When negativity is swirling about, is can be so easy to tap into this energy. Often it is the small things that can make a difference.
Yesterday as I struggled with my own thoughts and reactions I observed a young lad experiencing pain from an injury. I was able to communicate with him to keep his hand above his heart with a short medical explanation...which much to my surprise he understood. I did not do anything big yesterday..... it's also the baby steps that carry us to the goal.
When I was summoned to the Duty Principals office with my co-teacher..... over the schools' loud speaker system.....we were required to stop teaching immediately and follow his instructions. This became a powerless situation to be in, as this school administrator speaks no English. I was guided by my co-teachers information and decisions. I had no choice and I guess this is often the case in life, when situations develop that are beyond our control. Tact is telling the truth kindly with consideration even though my heart was pumping at a fast pace. All was well by the way.... the Korean tonal language which appears loud and harsh can be misinterpreted, I have discovered ...... or so I am told !!
Gentleness is a virtue I call upon when in doubt, I opt for this approach before over-reacting. So when I found that my disciplinary measures had not worked to bring my students to attention, I have taken to sitting in a chair quietly with my hands on my head until all students model this position. This removes my powerless because I am staying true to myself and fostering the Virtues culture in our English classroom.
On a lighter note our daughter Johanna and son Jonny are sitting NCEA exams in our respective schools...our schools have been very generous and helpful so their NZ schooling has not been disrupted. This educational setting continues just as the millions like it throughout the world........ "When we learn together, we are whole. "
Denise Hobo-Tuck
| 8/11/2006 1:06 p.m. | 31/12/2006 | | Approved |
| | | Hullo Virtues Colleagues,
New Zealand is four hours ahead of Korea. So it is always interesting to consider and contrast the activities associated with different times of the day. I will go shortly to the teachers lunch room where those of us who are not home room teachers get to eat in relative quiet after a busy morning. While home room teachers have established routines for students to eat from a mobile trolley which is delivered to their classrooms by kitchen staff.
The food is always nutritious but most dishes are unfamiliar to me. I particularly like the soup which is on the menu each day. One recipe tastes and smells just like the favourite soup my maternal grandmother used to made in New Zealand. My support systems are many and varied as this food story demonstrates. The virtue of trust is one which has been stretched, defined and redifined many times during this teaching contract.
Yesterday I had the privilege of delivering a Virtues workshop to both Native and Korean teachers. I have quite by luck become a member of the Bukbu Teachers Club which supports the development of relationships between Korean and English speaking teachers. I have discovered that often Korean teachers are asked to teach English although it is not their preferred choice and then need to cope with the demands of an illiterate and dependent English colleague. The Korean teachers take on this challenge with diligence and the generosity that is demonstrated in the Korean culture in many ways. My service to the Virtues also became a way of returning the service I have received from my Korean teaching colleagues who have done so much...often unacknowledged or understoood by myself. This then reminds me of humility and thankfulness.
A trusted Korean colleague reported that the workshop delivery was innovative by Korean standards as I used interactive, learner centred delivery methods, so familiar to my teaching style. Initially participants were very surprised that contributions were encouraged and a necessary part of the workshop.Their responses became creative and a sense of power and individuality emerged which created a group synergy which always supports active learning. Multiple virtues gifts for us all. We concluded our evening as all Korean do, eating cross legged in a favourite restaurant, at low tables.
I dedicated this workshop to my favourite co-teacher who always lives and teaches to his highest values and was brave enough to walk the unfamiliar, as he supported me to introduce the Virtues into our English lab. Often its a single person amongst the sea of faces that can make a difference. If anyone would like to discuss the workshop content be in contact.
Until next time
Denise Hobo-Tuck | 8/11/2006 1:06 p.m. | 31/12/2006 | | Approved |
