Dear <<First Name>>,
Every day is Thanksgiving at Soaringwords because we appreciate that when you "pay it forward" and do something kind for someone else, it also creates a positive elevation in your well-being, attitude and health. This is what the holiday season is supposed to be about: that you are thankful for giving. I always complete our hospital programs feeling grateful that I can spend time with the patients and their families. I am also reminded that I can leave the hospital by choice, which is a stark contrast to several times when my loved ones were in the hospital for weeks at a time.
My younger son, Josh, is flying home from college today to celebrate the holidays. On Friday night, we are completing a Gratitude Circle where each person reads a mushy, heartfelt message sharing character strengths they admire and appreciate in others or a favorite memory that made a lasting impression. I think these will be some of the most meaningful gifts we've ever shared. As Helen Keller so eloquently said, "the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or event touched, they simply must be felt in the heart."
Wishing you and your family a glorious holiday season of health and healing, joy and abundance.
Soaringwords News
Recent cool Soaringwords events.
New York Life Bringing Love to Patients
 
Throughout the Fall, hundreds of NY Life Volunteers for Good employees were busy decorating SoaringQuilts and SoaringPillows, creating adorable and inspiring SoaringSuperhero Puppets and collecting school supplies to donate to hospitalized children in hand-decorated SoaringTotebags . On November 18, a New York Life delegation led by Denise Zayas joined Soaringwords at Saint Mary's Hospital to give out gifts to the patients. One of the highlights of the visit was a high-energy Zumba® class led by Maria Padilla.
Even though most of these children are wheelchair bound we had an amazing time doing limbo and many songs. Thank you to our tireless + hardworking team leads Nina Deal, Dianna Buono, Donna Szeto, Roseann Marino, Celena Thorne, Yuk-Ying Chin, Kitty Chung and Marisol Cooper for organizing the monthly Soaringwords projects! More Photos
10-Year Anniversary Summit at UPenn Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP)
 
October 16-18: Hundreds of graduates converged in Philadelphia for a three-day love fest to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of MAPP led by Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of the field of positive psychology and Dr. James Pawelski, Director of Education and Senior Scholar in the Positive Psychology Center. Luminaries including Dr. Angela Duckworth, recipient of MacArthur Foundation's genius grant and expert in the field of "Grit" and Dr. Adam Grant, author of Give and Take who had a lively sparring match about their respective theories. The other keynote speakers included Ed Deci, Co-founder (along with Richard Ryan) of Self-Determination Theory. SDT is a theory of motivation that supports our natural or intrinsic tendencies to behave in effective and healthy ways. The other keynote was Kelly McGonigal who spoke about How to Make Stress Your Friend. (Photo left: Lisa Buksbaum, Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Adam Grant; Photo right: Lisa and Dr. Martin Seligman)
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SoaringStars - Judith Hannan
Narrative medicine is using the healing power of story to add meaning and purpose around illness. Instead of patients simply succumbing to the de-humanizing aspects of treatment from the hospital gown (where's the back?), a barrage of treatments and isolation from being removed from daily routine, Judith invites readers to see writing as " a companion that takes our arm as we walk through medical experiences." Using fascinating, accessible tools such as free association, metaphor, the five senses and changing perspectives Hannan guides readers to get started on a writing protocol that can enhance their well-being. Positive psychologist James Pennebaker is noted for his empirical research that measures the impact that writing has on health. When people transform their feelings and thoughts about emotional experiences into language their physical and mental health often improves (Kacewicz, Statcher, Pennebaker, 2007). The Write Prescription is a hands-on guide filled to the brim with companion activities that will help patients and families navigate through the rough terrain of illness.
We are truly grateful to know and love Judi and to celebrate her as a Soaringwords champion!
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SoaringHealth & Wellness
We are all so much more than a one-dimensional label or IQ score. Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined. The Truth About Talent, Practice, Creativity and the Many Paths to Greatness is a fascinating book authored by cognitive psychologist Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. He is the Scientific Director of the Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He offers a convincing new theory on personal intelligence that takes into account each individual's abilities, engagement and personal goals. Kaufman was relegated to special education as a child and has gone on to complete his doctorate at Yale, his M. Phil at the University of Cambridge and undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University. Soaringwords is exploring ways to collaborate with Scott and his team to measure the impact of imagination on enhancing the well-being of hospitalized children. Click here to pre-order Wired to Create. Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind. Scott's latest book is a wonderful holiday gift for anyone fascinated by what makes us dazzlingly creative. (Photo: At the Imagination Institute: Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, Lisa, Jordyn Feingold and Lizzie Hayes)
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Touch Points
Martin Luther King National Day of Service is on January 18, 2016. For the third consecutive year, Soaringwords will be leading hundreds of Accenture DC employees in a meaningful project to benefit hospitalized children.
Call 646-674-7105 or email heal@soaringwords.org to share a team-building event at your company, school or hospital.
Bring Soaringwords to your holiday celebrations. Order your SoaringQuilts and SoaringPillows here.
Know a phenomenal child who is grappling with illness? We are looking for two additional children for Lisa's Book. Soaringwords: The Power to Heal. True Stories to Overcome Life's Pain and Osbstacles. |
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