Coping

Chaplain Kevin Deegan & Life Coach Kathy Young Deegan
Coping

In these unprecedented times how are you coping? Join hosts Chaplain Kevin & Life Coach Kathy as they discuss relevant topics and practical tools for healthy coping. Chaplain Kevin Deegan is a Board Certified Chaplain who is serving on the front lines in hospital ministry. Kathy Young Deegan is a certified Life & Vocation Coach helping individuals overcome their life obstacles and discover their true calling.

  1. 22 DE OUT.

    Celebration: A Spiritual Practice

    The final episode of season 4 of “Coping” discusses the spiritual practice of celebration as outlined in Adele Calhoun's book 'Spiritual Disciplines'. Learn about the importance of celebration, gratitude, and remembering God's faithfulness, even during difficult times. The discussion concludes with a guided celebration meditation.   Highlights Introduction and Milestone Reflection  Kathy and Kevin acknowledge reaching the milestone of 107 episodes and the end of the 4th season of their podcast 'Coping'. They express gratitude for the podcast's evolution and their partnership, reflecting on the work and resources invested in producing the episodes.   Childhood Experiences with Celebration  We share our childhood experiences with celebration, including typical celebrations like birthdays, holidays, and gatherings with family.   Spiritual Practice of Celebration  We discuss Adele Calhoun's book 'Spiritual Disciplines' and the chapter on celebration as a spiritual practice, highlighting the idea that God celebrates and that celebration can enlarge one's capacity to enjoy and serve God, even in imperfect circumstances.   Daily and Weekly Celebration Practices  Learn about our daily and weekly celebration practices, such as sharing sweet treats, reflecting on photo memories from previous years, and expressing gratitude. It is important to celebrate, even during difficult times, as a way to find joy and connection.   Monthly and Yearly Celebration Traditions  We discuss their monthly practice of celebrating their anniversary and their annual 'Year in Review' tradition. This involves reflecting on the past year through a series of prompts, remembering challenges and victories, and expressing gratitude.   Importance of Celebration and Remembrance  Kathy and Kevin emphasize the significance of celebration and remembrance in building faith, hope, and courage for the future. They discuss how reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past provides strength and hope for present and future challenges.   Celebration Meditation  The episode concludes with a guided celebration meditation adapted from Heidi Coker. The meditation encourages listeners to acknowledge and celebrate daily victories and miracles, visualizing receiving a medal or trophy and basking in the moment of joy.

    22min
  2. 27 DE AGO.

    SoulCare: Excused Absences

    This episode of the "Coping" podcast covers a discussion on the importance of soul care and the common excuses people make for not prioritizing it. Hosts Kathy and Kevin acknowledge that while the excuses like lack of time, discomfort with being alone, fear of silence, and inability to stop are valid, they provide practical tips and assignments to overcome these barriers. The key takeaway is that even small pockets of intentional time for soul-nourishing activities can have significant benefits for overall well-being.   Highlights Introduction and Excuses for Lack of Soul Care  The video introduces the topic of soul care and acknowledges the valid reasons or 'excused absences' that prevent people from practicing it, such as lack of time, discomfort with being alone, fear of silence, and inability to stop or disconnect from devices and constant busyness. Excuse 1: Lack of Time  The speakers discuss the common excuse of not having enough time for soul care due to work and other responsibilities. They suggest that even small pockets of 10 minutes can be carved out for soul-nourishing activities, such as during school pickups or commutes. Excuse 2: Discomfort with Being Alone  The speakers address the excuse of not liking to be alone, which is often confused with loneliness. They encourage scheduling a 'soul date' with oneself to engage in enjoyable activities alone, as this can lead to feeling more refreshed and present. Excuse 3: Fear of Silence  The speakers discuss the fear of silence as an excuse for avoiding soul care. They suggest taking a walk or drive without any noise or distractions, focusing only on natural sounds, as a way to practice entering silence and improve listening skills. Excuse 4: Inability to Stop  The final excuse addressed is the difficulty in stopping and disconnecting from constant busyness and technology. The speakers recommend a 'phone fast' for one hour a day, handing the phone to a loved one, to create space for being present and engaged in soul-nourishing activities. Closing Thoughts and Meditation  The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of making time for soul care, even if it's just small pockets of time, and the benefits it can bring to overall well-being. A meditation from Jan Richardson is shared, encouraging listeners to find stillness and peace amidst the chaos.

    15min
  3. 13 DE AGO.

    Poem Meditation: by Ruth Haley Barton

    Listen as Kathy reads a poetic reflection called, "On Time" by Ruth Haley Barton, on the importance of slowing down and savoring life's moments. Consider this in your own practice of self care, or if you don't yet have your own, please feel free to use this as a starting point. Kathy: I just invite you now to think about the words of this poem and check in with your soul. It is called "On Time" and it's by Ruth Haley Barton:   There have to be times in your life when you move slow. Times when you walk rather than run, settling into each step. There have to be times when you stop and gaze admiredly at loved ones, marveling that they have been given to you for this life. Times when hugs linger and kisses are real. When food and drink are savored with gratitude and humility, rather than gulp down on your way to something else. There have to be times when you read for the sheer pleasure of it, marveling at the beauty of words and endless creativity in putting them together. Times when you settle into the comforts of home and become human once again. There have to be times when you light a candle and find the tender place inside you that loves or sorrows or sings and you pray from that place. Times when you let yourself feel, when you allow the tears to come, rather than blinking them back because you don't have time to cry. There have to be times to sink into the soft body of yourself and love what you love simply because love itself is a grace. Times when you sit with gratitude for the good gifts of your life that get lost and forgotten in the rush of things. Times to celebrate and play, to roll down hills, to splash in water or make leaf piles, to spread paint on paper or walls or each other. There have to be times to sit and wait for the fullness of God that replenishes body, mind and soul. If you can even stand to be so full, there has to be time for the fullness of time or time is meaningless.

    2min
  4. 30 DE JUL.

    Soul Care: Embracing Solitude, Silence & Stillness

    Summary Kevin and Kathy discuss the concept of 'soul care' and practices to nurture one's soul. Their discussion explores the importance of solitude, silence, and stillness as means to connect with one's inner self and find peace amidst the distractions and noise of daily life. Interspersed are helpful personal anecdotes, practical tips, and a poem that encourages slowing down and appreciating the present moment. Kevin  Hi everyone, welcome back to another episode of Coping. We took off a few weeks ago, giving you all a vacation and we also took a vacation ourselves.  Kathy  Yes, and we thought it was a great time to begin a new series we're calling Summer Soul Care. I wonder, Kevin, what comes to your mind when you think about soul care?  Kevin  Well, I work in a hospital, and our department is called the spiritual care department. So I actually spend a lot of time thinking about spiritual care, soul care, and how to do that effectively, especially for those who are sick and in the hospital setting. So the first thing that comes to mind for me is something that's active, to make sure that when you care for either your own soul or somebody else's soul, it's an action that you do, a practice that you take, something that you offer that's tangible.  Kathy  Hmm. Yeah, that's a good and easy, practical way to think about it. And especially as we're thinking about our souls, we can link it to something that we'll be doing. So let's get started. Kathy  So one of our favorite podcasters and authors, her name is Ruth Haley Barton. She writes this quote, I really love this thought provoking quote. She says, "losing your soul is sort of like losing a credit card. You think it's in your wallet or purse, so you don't give it much thought until one day you reach for it and you can't find it.  Kathy  The minute you realize it's gone, you start scrambling to find it, trying to remember when you lost it or last used it or at least had it in your possession. No matter what is going on in your life, you have to stop and look for it because otherwise there could be major damage done.  Kathy  Some of us know that we are losing bits and pieces of our souls every day and we are scared to death that we might be very close to going over an edge." So as a chaplain, how have you experienced this with those you serve?  Kevin  Yeah, this is something I help patients wrestle with on a daily basis. The reality is most people don't give a lot of thought to their spiritual life, to their souls. It's only when we are sick, when we are ill and in pain, that we look for strength and often look inward for that strength to be able to push through and to cope with whatever we're going through.  Kevin  And so what happens, like that analogy that's so vivid and so true about the credit card, if you haven't been investing into that fund, you don't have the funds to tap into on that card and that soul, then you find yourself not being able to use it when you need it most.  Kevin  And, you know, my belief is that we never lose our soul, we never go to a point where we don't have it. But if we're not investing in it, then it's certainly not going to be valuable to us when we perhaps need it most. And so when we encounter somebody who has deficient funds on their card or in their spiritual life, it's a chaplain's job to come alongside them and to help them tap into their strengths in their life, to help them connect to their faith practices, their rituals, the things that give their life meaning so that they could begin to cope with their illness and then find a pathway to healing that encompasses not just their physical body, but their emotional, spiritual mental selves as well.  Kathy  Yes, that sounds very practical and helpful. And like you said, it often doesn't happen until the body begins shutting down. A part of ourselves is not working, that we then begin to think about that.  Kevin  For sure that's exactly it. W

    18min
  5. 25 DE JUN.

    Oceanside: Meditation Vacation

    Summary In this short episode, Kevin guides you through a relaxing journey to an imaginary beach. Engage your senses by imagining the warm sand, blue sky, gentle waves, and refreshing ocean breeze. Immerse yourself as you create a place of tranquility that you can return to anytime you need.   Kevin  Now that the summer season is upon us, we could all use a vacation. Join me now in a meditation vacation. Before we begin, find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. I invite you to close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose, feeling your lungs completely.  Hold it for a moment and then slowly exhale through your mouth. Let's repeat this a few times. Breathe in through your nose, hold it, exhale through your mouth. Breathing in, hold, exhale. Continue breathing now in a comfortable rhythm. And let's go to the oceanside.  Imagine yourself standing at the shore of a beautiful beach. Feel the warmth of the golden sand beneath your feet. Notice how the grains of sand move gently between your toes and around your heels. The sand is warm, comforting, and grounding. As you stand here, take in your surroundings.  The sky above is a brilliant shade of blue, with gentle white clouds drifting by. The sun is shining brightly on your skin. Its warmth envelops your body, making you feel at ease. Take a moment to listen to the rhythmic sounds of the waves as they gently lap against the shore.  The ocean stretches out before you as a deep blue and turquoise. The sound of the waves are soothing; a natural symphony that calms your mind. Feel that gentle breeze blowing in from the ocean, carrying with it the faint scent of salt and sea.  This breeze cools your skin, bringing refreshment as it rustles the leaves of nearby palm trees. Now, begin to walk slowly along the shoreline. With each step, feel the cool, damp sand beneath your feet.  As you walk, notice how every so often a gentle wave makes its way to the shore, washing your feet up to your ankles. The water is pleasant and cool, a perfect contrast to the warmth of the sun and sand.  As you walk, turn your gaze to the horizon, where the sea meets the sky. Notice the subtle changes in color, the way the blues blend into a beautiful gradient green. A few seagulls soar overhead, their calls echoing softly in the distance, enhancing the peaceful soundscape.  Now, arrive to a spot where you feel comfortable to sit down. Feel the sand mold to your body, supporting you as you relax. Take a deep breath in and exhale. Let go of any remaining tension in your body.  Allow yourself to fully embrace this moment of tranquility. Imagine yourself lying back on the sand, looking up at the sky. Watch as the clouds drift by, slowly changing shapes and sizes. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and let it soothe any lingering stress or worry.  Stay here for a while. Let the sights, sounds, and sensations fill you with a sense of calm and relaxation.  Know that you can return to this place anytime you need to find peace. When you're ready, slowly bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings. Start by moving your fingers and toes and gently stretch your body.  And let's take one last deep breath in and as you exhale, open your eyes. Notice the physical space around you and what's changed inside of you. I hope you're feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. May you carry this sense of calm wherever you go.

    8min
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Sobre

In these unprecedented times how are you coping? Join hosts Chaplain Kevin & Life Coach Kathy as they discuss relevant topics and practical tools for healthy coping. Chaplain Kevin Deegan is a Board Certified Chaplain who is serving on the front lines in hospital ministry. Kathy Young Deegan is a certified Life & Vocation Coach helping individuals overcome their life obstacles and discover their true calling.

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