Registered Social Services Worker
Michelle@MichelleSuzanneScott.ca
905.244.9123
Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com The word “ritual” may conjure up visions of nefarious actions designed to incite negativity. Lighting birthday candles is a type of ritual that most of us enjoy. I think there is a sacred place for rituals and ceremonies in death and dying. It is a way to remember and celebrate our lives […]
Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com For years, the collective wisdom told us we needed to “seek closure” when someone dies. It would then, supposedly, become easier to “move on” and live our lives. Now, researchers and advocates of death and dying have determined we need not cut the ties we have with those we have […]
Photo by: Dreamstime 82946486 In October 2016, I attended a workshop sponsored by Bereavement Ontario Network and presented by Dr. M. Katherine Shear. Dr. Shear has studied complicated grief and believes the type of bond and connection we have with the person who has died, and whether we feel stuck or stopped in our mourning process, determines […]
Image provided by: Dreamstime Jan 2017 NOTE: Thank you to those participants who shared their stories and memories. I am honoured to be a part of your grief journey and that you allowed me into your lives for a brief time. May 2017, Michelle. For those interested in a group format, with enough interest […]
Taking care of yourself is not being selfish or acting self-absorbed You may have been taught to “be strong” and to put others’ needs first. To take care of yourself is not a selfish act, it’s treating yourself like you would a good friend. Especially during bereavement, people need to concentrate on self care. Please keep […]
Recently, I was asked by a local funeral director to consider running a group at his funeral home. As I was mulling over what to include in the information, I came up with a Top Ten List of things I wanted people to know. The list is wordy, so I distilled it further and created […]
The following is a guest post: Integrative Health Care Eases Pain and Grief for Cancer Patients The pain and grief felt by people with cancer can be debilitating and exhausting. When combined, pain and grief exacerbate each other. As pain increases, the ability to manage emotions becomes challenging. As grief intensifies, sensations of pain may […]
Because a person’s self worth is developed during childhood, there may be several factors that contribute to low self esteem: Every child needs attention and love. If you grew up in an environment where there was childhood abuse and/or neglect, chances are you struggled with a good self-image. You may have learned that you didn’t […]
Spiderman & the Little Stone Angel, Photo by: Michelle S. Scott Contemplative (Adjective): To allow for reflection and manifestation (expression) of deep thoughts, involving prayer or meditation and focusing on the divine presence or higher power, within. A person at the end of their life is leaving their world, including family and friends and many […]
I recently re-tweeted @sameetkumar: “When our loved ones die, they become our ancestors, those who came & went before us because we have outlived them. They are to be honored.” This is an interesting idea, one that may not have occurred to those who don’t follow a particular tradition or religion in their daily lives. […]