People
Becoming Present in the Here and Now
Life is not without its challenges for Gail but she is working on goals to improve her ability to be happy in the here and now.
Gail lives in a home on Vancouver Island facilitated by Communitas Supportive Care Society. Support staff are helping Gail to achieve her goals. One of these goals is to work on patience. Sometimes living in the now makes it hard waiting for things. Gail is getting better at expressing her needs to others and then trusting that results will occur in the future without Gail needing to worry or stress now.
Another way Gail stays present is by working on her physical strength. Moving her body keeps Gail healthy and strong so she is able to adventure whenever she gets the chance.
“I like walking, floor hockey, ball, gardening and swimming outside,” says Gail, who enjoys swimming in the Puntledge River, with the assistance of a support worker.
Gail is also working on letting go of negative emotions of others. She is very empathetic to other people and often wants to help others solve their issues of anger, frustration or sadness. Gail is working on redirecting her energy back to herself, to making herself feel happy and able to move on, becoming present again in the now.
Gail loves to go out for coffee and chat, connecting with friends and taking time to enjoy others’ company in the moment. Crafting and puzzling are very tactile ways that Gail can stay focused in the present. Self-care like massage and getting manicures are ways Gail can relax and enjoy being taken care of by others.
Trying new things fuel Gail’s joy. Some of the new things Gail has tried in the last year include hiking more in nature, doing yoga, making her own sushi, and becoming a pet “Mom” to her beta fish, whom she named Nemo.
Some of the ways that staff support Gail in her efforts are stopping to listen to Gail and empathizing with her where she is at in the moment. Staff plan outings for Gail that they think she may enjoy. Many staff also plan activities or crafts that Gail might like, volunteering their own time or materials.
“Gail is naturally very loving and encouraging to others,” says Brishona, a support worker in the home where Gail lives. “Gail’s enthusiasm and joy are contagious and infectious, often making others smile and laugh throughout the day.”
If someone is feeling sad or discouraged, Gail will sit with them, listen, and offer a hug to help cheer them up.
Gail will soon celebrate her birthday. True to Gail’s goal of celebrating and embracing the here and now, she has chosen the party theme of Mama Mia. Just like in the song, no matter what obstacle or hurt Gail faces, her heart won’t be broken. Gail focuses on being present and allows herself to experience joie de vivre, falling in love with life over and over again.
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