Foundation, reminding you that a fully-integrated approach for assisting survivors of
traumatic loss involves a balance of head and heart. Wednesday Wisdom is written
and copyrighted by Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D. and distributed by the Family
Assistance Education & Research Foundation Inc., fafonline.org. Reprint is available
with written permission from the Foundation.
Expressing Gratitude…Another Form of Service
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
–Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman Philosopher, 107-44 BCE
November 24, 2016 is the date we in the United States will celebrate our
Thanksgiving holiday. For most, it is a day to enjoy family, good friends, and
good food. And for many, it also marks a time to express gratitude for all that for
which we are thankful.
At the Foundation this week, many of us will pause for a moment and give thanks
for the privilege of performing such humbling and sensitive work in service of
others who find themselves surviving a workplace tragedy—either directly or by
loss of a beloved friend or relative. While we often receive thank you notes and
words of appreciation from those we serve, it is we who are grateful to others for
allowing us to assist them and their families during deeply personal and trying times.
This quote by J. LeBron McBride is one of the author’s favorites about the privilege
of serving others, “The process of caregiving can be sacred ground. The care giver
and the one cared for can become channels of grace for each other.”
(Spiritual Crisis, Surviving Trauma to the Soul. The Hayworth Press, 1998.)
“Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted
the flame within us.”
-Albert Schweitzer, German Theologian (1875-1965)
When asked who had a profound impact on his work in the logistical side of
emergency services, Jeff Morgan, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Family
Assistance Education & Research Foundation, and President of Aviem International,
Inc., named Alan Brunacini, a former Fire Chief from Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Chief Brunacini created command and control protocols which later became
today’s US standard, the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS is
a comprehensive, national approach to incident management. It is applicable at
all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. NIMS can be used for the
full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless of size,
location or complexity. Many emergency services leaders like Jeff are grateful that
Chief Brunacini had the vision and the determination to develop this system. His
influence has been enormous.
During this time of the year, we invite you to pause for a moment and remember
who influenced you in the work that you do in service to others. And if you can
spare the time, we hope that you will send them an email or a note or make a
phone call and let that person(s) know how they have impacted your work and
dedication to serving others.
|
Click to view this email in a browser
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe |
|
Aviem & Family Assistance Foundation 555 North Point Center East, Suite 400 Alpharetta, GA 30022 USA Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy. |
|