Author: Dominick Flarey

St. Theresa of Avila and Meditative Union

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Meditative Union in the Fifth Mansion of the Interior Castle

The analogy of the cocoon and butterfly has been used for many purposes.  The main and primary theme involves change and new life.  St. Theresa also utilizes this analogy in her chapter on the Fifth Mansion in her classic work, “The Interior Castle“.  Each mansion represents a state of union the soul experiences with God.  As one travels inward, they come across certain states of spirituality or “mansions” in which the soul experiences God.  The meditative union in the fifth mansion is a beautiful union with God that St. Theresa explains via the analogy of the silk worm.
The silk worm represents man’s current spiritual state of wordily affairs where one “crawls” in the lower senses of existence.  Appeased by worldly and materialistic things, the spirituality is weak.  However, St. Theresa insists that once the silk worm commits to the will of its nature instead of its own cravings, then it can truly grow.  As the soul denies its own will and accepts the will of the Father, then it opens itself to true union with God.  Without denial of one’s own motives and desires, there can be no union.
Again as the silk worm progresses in its task of building the cocoon, so the soul begins its practice of penance, good works, meditation, submission and prayer.  The soul builds its own cocoon of seclusion where it changes and grows into something new via union.  After the silk worm emerges as a butterfly and no longer “crawls” but “flies”, so the soul experiences reality in a new different way.

The new realities pose new reflections for the soul.  No longer after tasting the divine is the soul as concerned with material things but spiritual things.  The soul is no concerned with sin and how it offends God.  The great pain the soul feels for offense against God is emphasized by St. Theresa.  She also reflects upon in comparison how great Jesus’ pain for sin must have been in magnitude compared to mere mortals who have just sipped union.  She exclaims that such union with God and abhorrence of sin found in Christ would have no doubt caused grief so great as to cause death unless for Christ’s divine nature.
This union so blissful, however, still causes a worthwhile distress.  It produces a cross for those who have died the life of the “silk worm” still exist in this state of reality.  St. Theresa says it is one’s duty and will of God to continue living in this life despite the sweet taste of union.  She also laments that some while experiencing this taste once may not taste it again until their final union with the Trinity in the next life.
She emphasizes that one put the needs of others ahead of their personal aspirations and devotions to gain this union and begs her sisters to seek the needs of neighbor above their own.  She points out that a deep love for God is the root for a deep love for neighbor and through this one can love more perfectly in this world.  She has some hope that in giving to others, one will understand the true nature of union and love with God that one experienced.
In respect, did not Christ possess this union constantly while in a temporal prison of existence?  Yet Christ, himself, shared his union and love with everyone.  This is the point St. Theresa is attempting to make in regards to those who have experienced meditative union.  They are not to continue to hide in their cocoon but like a butterfly, flutter to and for as the wind takes them, according to the will of God, sharing the truths of Christ.
If you are interested in certifications in Meditation or Christian Spiritual Counseling, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C-, SCC-C

Why Nurses Need Malpractice Insurance

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Legal Nurse

The legal nurse provides information for legal nurse consultants as well as registered nurses in areas of nursing malpractice, as well as other legal issues.
By: Janet Kress
Being a nurse is one of the most rewarding jobs a person can have. A nurse can save a person’s life, help someone recover from a surgery or even help a sick child. There are many nursing jobs available, the pay is amazing and the benefits are very good. However, a nurse can be held liable for anything that happens while they are on their shift. This is why nurses need malpractice insurance. If the time occurs when a nurse is being named in a lawsuit, even if it is unfounded, they will have to deal with a plethora of legal fees, worry about a ruined reputation or fear losing their job. This can all be dealt with if the person has nursing malpractice insurance.
The cost of having this insurance is negligible when one considers the amount of money a lawsuit can cost. Most people think that their employer will be covering any malpractice claims while they are on the job. However, most nurses do not realize that their employer’s insurance has the minimal amount of coverage for them. Sometimes their employer’s insurance might not even cover them in a malpractice lawsuit. This is because their insurance plans are tailored to their specific needs. It doesn’t make sense for them to cover their employees if they will not be held liable. Typically if a nurse is covered by their insurance, it will be for a miniscule amount. It is always important to know how much an employer’s insurance will cover and even if it seems good, there will be some drawbacks.
Even if an employer’s coverage is satisfactory, there is another big issue that could occur. They can decide to sue a nurse for all of the money they were held liable for if the nurse was indeed negligent. This greatly varies from place to place and some might provide adequate insurance for their staff. However, if the place of work is having financial issues and goes bankrupt, they might not have the means to pay for the nurse’s insurance anymore. This is why it is so important for a nurse to have their own personal malpractice insurance.
Circumstances can change greatly if a person has a hearing with the Board of Nursing. This will often happen when a nurse’s license is at risk of being revoked. This can be devastating because their livelihood could be at stake. Policies often have License Protection which will cover all of the costs associated with defending a nurse’s license to the board.
In the past, many nurses did not get insurance because it would actually extend lawsuits against them. Before nurses were paid the wages they are now, lawyers would typically drop their names from lawsuits. They knew that they did not have the funds to pay any settlements. Unfortunately, this has been spread around the nursing industry and people believe it is better to not have insurance for themselves. Lawyers have recently changed their mindset and will try to get any money a nurse may have. If found guilty, a person can lose any money in their savings accounts, be forced to sell their homes or even claim bankruptcy.
When getting insurance, a person needs to understand their policy completely. Knowing exactly what is covered will ensure that any negligence claims are handled hassle free. The most common coverage will include:
Liability: This will cover any charges, up to a certain amount, accrued by a lawsuit stemming from any medical incidents that might occur.
License Protection: When a lawsuit is brought against an individual, they might have to face the board of nursing. This will cover any costs, up to the limit in the policy, defending a nurse to the board.
Personal Injury Protection: This will cover any costs from claims of slander, libel, assault or even battery.
Although these are the basic coverage options available, there may be additional options that each insurance agency provides. Nurses, no matter how good they are, can all benefit from covering themselves with malpractice insurance. It is important to choose a policy that allows the holder to choose their own lawyers and does not cap the hourly rate that they are allowed to be paid. This will ensure that a nurse can find and afford the best possible attorney. Even if a lawsuit is dropped, a nurse without insurance would have to pay their lawyer’s fees.
Would you like more information on legal nurse consultant training? Access here.

Holistic Health Care Natural Energy Boosters

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A glass full of berry smoothie with berries around it and a tape measurer wrapped around the glass
Holistic health care does not have to taste bad to be good for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holistic health care promotes healthy living in all facets of our lives.   Be it from eating fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to eliminating toxins from our diets.    Now we are offering holistic nutritional advice for all natural alternatives to often sugary and bad for you energy drinks.    Holistic and integrative health care specialists state these so called “energy drinks” are nothing more than sugary, HFCS, unnatural beverages.   Our bodies do not need them.

Energy Boosting Holistic Health Care Advice

The article, “11 All-Natural, Instant Energy Boosters”, by Jessica Smith states

“Try these expert recommended tips to revitalize — right now.”

For the full article please go here.

Holistic health care does not have to be hard as you can see.   All you need to learn is that alternatives to unhealthy dietary choices exist.   You just have to be willing to do them.
If you want to earn your online holistic health care certificate or just take a few online holistic health care courses then you should visit our webpage.

Counseling Against the Occasion of Sin

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Counseling For Permanent Solutions

As is the case in all recovery from physical and addictive substances, vice and sin are no different.  A recovering sinner obsessed with a particular habitual vice has a long and hard road ahead of himself.  While the penitent has made the personal decision to change his lifestyle, he still has a rough road of change.  When Christian Counseling these individuals, one must be patient and encouraging to the efforts and trials this person will attempt to overcome.
The removal of occasions of sin are the pivotal part in helping someone gain spiritual freedom.  Satan does not wish to relinquish his control and will become noisy again in the life of the penitent.  His quiet days are over as he realizes the change of the person’s life.  Satan can no longer be quiet but will hope to disrupt the conversion process and impede virtuous practice with an array of spiritual temptations.  One who is recovering from a particular vice such as lust, must earnestly try harder to remove temptation via prayer, confession and reception of the sacraments.
However, one plays into the hands of Satan, when one purposely places himself into temptation filled situations.  Again the example of lust portrays excellent examples.  The penitent who is attempting to live a virtuous life places himself in great spiritual harm by going to bars and other lustful places, or involving himself with sexual individuals who will gladly perform sexual favors.  These occasions of sin can cause relapse or destroy the conversion process completely.
Yet as a counselor, one must show patience with their spiritual children.  As one falls, one must again get up.  As one returns with remorse, the counselor cannot condemn, but aid the person to find greater strength.  The person already realizes the  perils and dangers of his spiritual life, he does not need condemnation but charity and guidance.  Through continued prayer and good works, eventually the tide can be turned.  Keep in mind, as stated earlier, recovering from a vice is much like recovering from an addiction.  In which case, even culpability is lessened even if occasional relapse occurs.
In many instances, the penitent cannot escape the gravitational pull of the vice.  In this regard, while prayer and the sacraments strengthen the soul, one should admit the vulnerability of self and the lost nature of all souls without grace.  While overcoming temptation proves merit in battle, in may be worthwhile to pray that God removes the temptation from the person’s life.  Here the elimination of occasion of sin is imperative in the early stages of recovery.  The person’s spiritual immune system to the vice is so weakened that the smallest whisper of Satan can confuse and cause an incident of relapse.
It is important for all Christians to take into account a spiritual inventory of their life and recall all their acquaintances, places of interest and possessions that are directed away from God.  These things deviate the soul from holiness and prevent the soul from progressing spiritually.  It is even more true in the earliest stages of a soul’s spiritual renaissance that it will encounter the venomous vipers of the world that dig and pull at the soul from continuing its spiritually towards God.  St. Theresa of Avila, prudently points this out in her classic work, “The Interior Castle”. In this work,  she speaks of the illusions of the world and how they attempt to pull the soul away from its journey to God.  Only through time and closer union to God, does the soul soon break free from these parasitical vices of the world that hope to suck the grace and life of the soul.
In conclusion, I think it is prudent to bear attention to Matthew 7:6 where Scripture states not to give pearls to swine who will trample over one’s gifts, or to give to the dogs what is sacred.  Instead we are to share our lives with people who will also love us and share in the good news of Christ.  In the end, when one lives one’s faith among those who hold the faith with contempt, it is the virtuous who usually fall into sin and follow the ways of the unfaithful.
If you are interested in Christian Spiritual Counseling Courses for certification, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Nursing Stress Management Advice

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Nursing Stress Management can help nurses avoid burnout.  How to manage stress is the biggest question.    Luckily there are online resources to show us how managing stress can be easy.  First step to manage stress is to identify your stress triggers.   Once you “know the enemy” you can create plans to deal with it.   I know this aspect of stress management is easier said than done but an article below might help give a little more insight.
By Cynthia Howard, RN, CNC, PhD
From Nurse Together

Nursing Stress Management Made Easy!

A nurse at her desk who looks stressed
Nursing stress management can help you relax and keep focus.

Part 1:  The balance of care and over care: Caring at your expense
Got up late again… Had to bake those cupcakes for the school picnic. Sarah asked me to switch with her and work today even though I really wanted off so that I could get it all done and sleep too! Oh well, I just do not like to say no. It is really getting to me though. I am tired and testy with my family and I really have lost myself in this process. Some days I just want to run away and hide so no one knows where I am.
Do you relate to any of this?
For the full article please go here.

Again first step in nursing stress management is to identify the cause of your stress.   Are you doing too much or “over-caring”?   Perhaps you should learn to say “No” and take time out just for you.
If you want to learn more about stress management then you might want to take our online stress management consultant certificate program found on our webpage.

Holistic Health: Alternatives to Soda

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Holistic health care is all about finding ways to improve your life and keep you healthy.   So holistic nutrition is always looking for ways to substitute the unhealthy for the healthy.   Today holistic nutritionists have found ways for you to replace the sugary, HFCS heavy, caffeine loaded sodas with healthy, nutritional, and holistic health care approved alternatives.

Two cute girls drinking ice tea outside in a garden
Holistic health should start young! Give your children ice tea instead of soda.

From Huffington Post

Holistic Health News: Replacing Summer Sodas!

Especially in summer months, when we should up our liquid consumption to avoid dehydration, it’s important to keep drink choices healthy and plentiful, but also enticing. And if New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is able to pass his proposed ban on supersized sodas, at least one city’s residents will need a low-cal alternative come the dog days of August.
Liquid sources of added sugar are especially dangerous in our diet, explains HuffPost blogger Dr. Mark Hyman in an exploration of the dangers of high-fructose corn syrup (or HFCS), the type of full-calorie sweetener that is found in many sugary drinks:
For the full article please go here.

Holistic health professionals strongly suggest that you avoid high-fructose corn syrup.   With plenty of healthy options like ice tea, fresh juice, and infused waters available it is about time we cut the soda habit.    Holistic living does not have to be hard and honestly cold ice tea on a hot day cannot be beat!
If you are interested in an online holistic health care certificate program or you simply want to take a few online holistic health care courses then you should visit our website for more information.

Ask Dr. Shu- Do other Pets Grieve the Loss of Another Pet?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

husky in turtle neckDo Other Pets grieve When the Loss of Another Pet Happens?

To someone who has never owned a pet, it may come to surprise that pets grieve for the loss of another pet.  Those who have owned dogs or cats before only know to well the pain and loss another pet can feel.
I think the classic book, “Where the Red Fern Grows” captures this best as the one coon hound’s partner refused to eat or live without her partner.  Death came quickly in the grief of the other dog because she missed her friend so much.
This can and does happen.  Most of the time pets will mope or not eat as much.  This was the case with one of my dogs who lost his life long friend.  After her death, he moped, did not eat nor seem as energetic.  In other cases, the surviving pet will sometimes look for their friend as if surprised he does not run up the stairs with him when called.  Sometimes their ears will perk up upon the mentioning of their treasured lost friend.  The reality is bonds do form among dogs and cats.  Especially in more socially structured packs of dogs where there is a hierarchy and dependency.

“Dr. Shu” insists that all dogs feel sadness regarding the loss of another pet.  He recommends spending extra time with the surviving pet and grieving together.  He also recommends extra attention in regards to treats and toys to cheer the surviving pet up.  The surviving pet should not be left alone and should be monitored for any signs of depression or change of behavior.  Shu relates that “the owner should open up his emotions and grieve together with the surviving pet, providing love for the surviving pet and also giving the owner an emotional outlet to express his or her grief for the loss of the deceased pet”
Of course, sometimes a new friend may be in the future as well to help spark up the spirits of your surviving canine or feline.  In the end, it is a mutual grieving process and owner and surviving pet should grieve together.
Please review the pet loss program.
Dr. Shu, Ph.D

(Dr. Shu is a fictional character)

How Meditation Can Help Build A Healthy Mind

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A man in a suit meditating
Make time to meditate!

Wondering how meditation can benefit you?    Daily meditating can help you focus on what matters most in your life.    This focus will help you eliminate trivial needs and help you keep in mind what matters.   By sitting and keeping focus these trivial things will come and go but what is really important will stay.   For more on the healthy benefits of meditation please read below.
By Joseph Hooper
From Men’s Journal

How Meditation Can Help You!

Buddha was onto something. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought,” he said 2,500 years ago. Finally science is catching up. In a University of Wisconsin study of Buddhist monks, researcher Richard Davidson used electroencephalograph readings to prove that monks can generate gamma waves, which are associated with attention and learning, for minutes at a time; mere mortals can sustain a few seconds of gamma activity at best. The same monks also showed an unusual amount of activity in the left side of their prefrontal cortices, which are associated with positive feelings. Sure enough, the monks were startlingly alert and happy.
For the full article please go here.

Still wondering how meditation can become a daily activity for you?   It’s simple actually.   All you need to do is take 5-10 minutes a day to meditate.    Make meditating your time.
If you want to learn more about meditation or enroll in some online meditation courses please visit our webpage.

Health Coach Training

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Health Coach Training is your first step to becoming a certified health coach.   In doing so you will be taking health coach courses to learn the techniques to pass on to your clients.   It is important that you learn the proper techniques if you plan on being an excellent health care coach.   The only way to do this is to ask questions about health coaching.
By Fred Phillips
From Coaches Training Blog

Health coach training should provide you with more questions than answers. We normally think that training provides students with answers, not questions. However, coaches should be asking questions, not providing all the answers. Any proper health coach training will not only provide you with skills, techniques, exercises, and methodology, it will also provide you with questions.
For the full article please go here.

A lady holding up a sign with a question mark
Do you have any health coach training questions?

As you can see to get the most of your health coach training, you need to ask questions.   It does not matter of you are taking traditional health coaching courses or online health care coaching courses.   Remember being a good student turns you into a good health coach.
If you are interested in earning a health coach certificate or just taking a few online health care life coach courses then you need to visit our site.

Life Coaching and Decisive Decision Making Skills

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Life Coaching Tips for Better Decision Making Skills

In the business, as well personal world, we are besieged with choices that demand clear and precise decisions.  Some decisions are small while others are big, but in the end good and logical decision making skills are essential to a successful life.  Life Coaching can help one develop these social skills at a more acute level.
According the Community Counseling Clinic at Youngstown State University, one needs to ask questions to oneself about their previous decision making history before they properly develop future decision making skills.  Questions that delve into the recent history of decisions and their past outcomes to the process one has followed in the past.  Does one ask for other opinions before acting?  Has one in the past acted rash?
After this, it is encouraged to use the D-E-C-I-D-E approach.  First, Describe in writing the decision you need to make and identify the main issues.  Second, Elicit the opinions of others that you respect. Third, Consider the circumstances and alternatives of any given situation.  Fourth, Invest time in research and information gathering.  Obviously the time spent will correlate with the magnitude and importance of the decision. Fifth, Decide what the consequences will be and all possible outcomes.  Finally, Educate oneself with a log of the decision whether good or bad with explanations of the outcome.
As time proceeds, log your decisions and the outcome and see how you progress in your decision making process.  In some cases, intuition will play a major role.  I also recommend prayer for wisdom and understanding of the situation.
If you are interested in Health Care Life Coaching Education, please review the program.

AIHCP