Since 1994 LivingWithQuality.com has helped thousands of people experience a higher quality life. There have been many different types of resources that have been created and offered here over the years. I started with a tiny fitness book in 1994 called "Ten Ways To Lose Weight and Feel Great" (click here for samples of book). Then I developed a "spiritual fitness" motivational tape for workouts called: "Personal Training for the Soul".
Then, my focus broadened to include support for caregivers when my parents contracted cancer and I saw first hand what it was like to be seriously ill in this society. I watched them go through the "medical maze" - with all the tests and endless doctors appointments. It was through the experience with my parents that I learned about the need for education and "sensitivity training" among medical professionals and others who seemed to be entrenched in the "taboo of death" (which keeps people silent and distant). My parents died within a few months of each other. So, it was also during this time that I learned about hospice and all the great things hospice does for the community.
It took about two years for me to recover from the depression that set into my life, after my parents died. During this time I wrote songs to help me process my grief, I did a lot of sleeping, thinking and re-evaluating. And then, after a couple years had passed, I wanted to 'give back' to hospice because they had done so much for my family during a really difficult time. So... I began to volunteer my teaching skills and I started doing seminars with hospices and hospitals regarding the emotional and soulful care of patients (and caregivers). Notes from these seminars turned into a book called Where Souls Meet: Caring for the seriously ill. Soon came other books, CD's, seminars and videos.
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| Where Souls Meet: Caring for the seriously ill |
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All the resources offered here are meant to educate, provoke thoughts & feelings, create conversation, entertain and/or inspire. I was so moved by my experience with my parents, I decided to devote my artistic energy to helping families deal with the death of a loved one. I hadn't given much thought to the fact that death (a taboo in North America) would be a challenging premise on which to build a business. I just knew that in North America over 76 million Baby Boomers were about to deal with the issue of aging parents. As I slowly started doing the work, selling books and meeting families who needed support, I was very moved by the letters of appreciation and emails I got from caregivers, volunteers and patients. If the role of an artist is to help people think about things they normally would not... I had become an artist.
Someone once wrote that the role of an artist in our world is to help create "the standards for perception and cognition for a society. Without great art, there are no great ideas and a lesser community." To that end, I set my aim to create great art that will help humans individually and the human community overall. Whether it is a book to help educate, music to help entertain or videos to inspire, create conversation and/or inform... all have been created with the hope that people will be helped in some way and that through this, our world may find better days. As the proverb says, "If there is health in the soul... there will be peace in the world."
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If there is health in the soul, there will be beauty in the person; If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the home; If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation; If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. --Chinese Proverb
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SEMINARS
I enjoy doing seminars and facilitating groups of people who are intent on sharing, learning and listening to each other. Over the past ten years, I have helped to facilitate seminars for thousands of professionals on the emotional, spiritual and psychological needs of seriously ill patients and their caregivers. I also like to talk about stress and it's effect on humans... and provide some reminders on various things to keep in mind when we try to relax.
If your company or local hospital / hospice organization needs a speaker, I'm available. For a list of seminar topics and quotes from people who have attended these seminars click here.
For a video of testimonials, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ-PGFIHaz0
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| Seminar - Washington, D.C. |
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BOOKS
After watching my parents go through their battle with cancer, I was convinced that more could be done for people at this difficult stage of life. So, I sat down and wrote articles and books on the this taboo subject. It became clear to me that modern medicine has added years to the human life... but it's up to us to add life and meaning to those years. Because of this, I've written two books which are available through http://www.centering.org. The first book is called Where Souls Meet: Caring for the seriously ill; the second is called Questions... for Quiet Times.
Over the last ten years I have sold thousands of books - one at a time. As I meet people, I frequently hear how appreciative people are for the awareness brought to these issues that revolve around being seriously ill (and being a caregiver) in our modern times.
I'm also very interested in using our resources to help train volunteers that work in hospitals, with seniors or with hospices. Volunteers are so important to hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, retirement residences and other institutions... that we have to continue to support, inspire, appreciate and train them. Not only are millions and millions of dollars saved by the work that volunteers do... but they bring a special love and kindness into the lives of those they care for.
Volunteers are important and I'm honored that Where Souls Meet is apprecited by many who train volunteers.
"I am a hospice volunteer coordinator and we have just started using Where Souls Meet as a volunteer manual. I lost a close friend this week. We all laughed together and cried together, and stood arm in arm as the funeral home wheeled him out the door. I came home and re-read parts of your book and went to bed with a peaceful heart. Your book has helped a lot of people. Thank you for writing it." -- Pam Kite, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Perryton, TX
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| Questions... For Quiet Times |
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VIDEO BOOK FOR WHERE SOULS MEET
This "video book" is an excellent training tool for families, caregivers, volunteers, retirement residences, long term care facilities, hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. If you are a doctor, nurse, volunteer, health care professional, social worker, therapist, administrator, chaplain, caregiver, hair stylist and anyone who has contact with seniors or seriously ill patients... this video book has been made with the intention of supporting you.
Here are some sample links:
"Video book" - Where Souls Meet sample video - Caregiver comments - Disk 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdAeLlSvbSE
"Video book" - Where Souls Meet sample video - Introduction/interview - Disk 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSjRDCM2ugQ
"Video book" - Where Souls Meet sample video - chapters 2 & 3 - Disk 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTycEKINTdI
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| Where Souls Meet: Caring for the seriously ill - Video Book |
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'Quality of life' is on the minds of many people these days - whether it's having better quality relationships (at home or at work) or achieving better quality health in body, mind or spirit. For many years I have been dedicated to helping people have a higher quality of life. The various projects and resources listed at this site have been fun to create and meaningful to share. To purchase MP3's of or DVDs or books... you can contact me at dillonwoods@hotmail.com .
Please take time to surf around our site. We are still building it - so thank you for your patience if some parts of this site seem undone.
The resources here have been created as an aid to a better quality life. Whether you are a senior citizen, caregiver, medical professional or a lover of poetry and music... it is our hope that you find something at this site which is interesting and meaningful for you.
All the best,
Dillon Woods
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Copyright 1995 - 2009 Dillon J. Woods
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