One of my favorite people has just received the Mensch of the Year Award from the local rabbinical organization. A mensch is someone who is good, kind, decent and honorable. The Reverend Z. Ann Schmidt, director of pastoral care for Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, is that — and more.
The Mensch award noted Ann’s broad-minded, compassionate approach to caring for patients and their loved ones. One way that she connects with people in difficult circumstances is by asking what gives them the strength and courage to cope. The responses are many and varied…
Not surprisingly, many people cite spiritual resources, such as faith, the Bible, holy texts, prayer, religious observance and working with 12-step self-help programs. Others focus on bringing the healing energy of the universe into their hearts and bodies.
Knowing that you are loved despite failures of the body can give enormous strength — as does knowing that the love you give will live on after you. Ann told me about a stroke survivor who was energized by her grandchild’s hug. The little girl didn’t care that her grandmother could use only one side of her body to hug back.
Visualization is another source of strength. Ann told me about one patient who had pain everywhere in her body. Her visualization involved putting the pain from one part of her body in one balloon, from another part in a second balloon and so on. Then she imagined releasing the pain-packed balloons. Other healing visualizations: Picture a lake at the bottom of a mountain. Imagine your troubles rolling down the mountain and into the lake — and then disappearing. Visualize putting a bad experience into a trash bag and throwing it into a garbage truck. The truck door closes… the bag is compacted… the truck drives away… and your troublesome garbage is gone.
Some people work with trained Reiki practitioners, who use their hands to help focus and direct energy throughout the body. Others meditate.
Ann says that seeing yourself as part of nature also can provide strength. Looking out the window is a near-constant reminder that nature has its seasons, too.
Sometimes Ann asks patients where they have found strength in the past. Was it a loved one who truly understood them? Music that was played over and over again? A specific poem or book? Remembering past triumphs over adversity can help us deal with current difficulties — not just health problems but also financial woes, job loss and other situations that require strength.
