The Healing Power of Proximity The Healing Power of Proximity

By: Dr. Father Gabriel Ghanoum Drgabrielghanoum.com

When we talk about the concept of “wellness,” what does that mean?

I think of the words of Swami Sivananda“Illness begins with I, Wellness begins with we.”

The essence of wellness has roots in healing and connection. As I reflect on the privilege to work in the hospital setting wearing many hats - as a Catholic priest, a psychologist, and trauma and addiction specialist - I am touched by the needs of my fellow human beings, patients, their family and friends, and staff. The critical ingredient that has guided my work has always been the power of proximity, which is the ultimate power of “we.”

Healing shows up in many forms: addressing the physical, acute illness, and chronic disease, and helping the body to recover; a simple smile when someone is feeling down; holding a hand of a loved one as they say their final goodbye; a conversation to be seen and understood in one’s last moments of life. These are the pathways where the power of proximity promotes healing, health, and meaning.

I often use a healing technique at the hospital for patients, family, and staff coined “Cappuccino Therapy” to elicit moments of a sacred pause and connectedness (from the book 5 Minute Prescription: For Health, Happiness, & Meaning in Life by M. Dezelic & G. Ghanoum). We take a brief moment to pause and connect to this present moment together by drinking a cappuccino or other beverage, practicing humaneness in action, compassion, and selfless love.

When I introduce myself to patients and family, I tell them that while I am a Catholic priest, my religion is kindness, and my faith is presence; I come here as a fellow human being to be supportive in one’s difficult moments. When asked to pray for a person, regardless of their particular faith, it is an opportunity to connect and transcend. Being present while sitting and listening to their story is essential to the “we” in their path to wellness. I have learned through the countless people who have touched my life that most people need someone to be by their side. They need to express themselves, and be heard, valued, and witnessed. And often need someone to share their pain with to lessen its grip. My role has led me to serve as a facilitator for meaningful conversations needed for healing ruptured relationships in one’s last moments of life.

With the deaths and transitions that I witness, standing at the edge with the dying, and listening to the stories of patients that are transitioning, my main goal is to evoke dignity and respect. At this very edge, I have discovered their courage and freedom. Speaking with families to guide them in making funeral arrangements and being present during their unique grief process makes me remember the beauty and fragility of life and recognize my responsibility for my own aliveness at this moment. This sort of radical empathy and connection brings us closer to one another, bonding us through the fabric of living and dying.

Twelve years ago, the power of proximity brought me the gift of caring for a 100-year-old lady who is still connected to me today through our common cause. After she transitioned, I found out that she had no family. Because of her, I started a project called “No One Buried Alone” to offer a proper burial service of love and connection within the community. John F. Kennedy challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In his words: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

I am deeply influenced by the work of Anthony DeMello and his concept of, “being a mirror of goodness.”

DeMello also wrote, “the finest act of love you can offer is an act of seeing: When you serve people, you help, support, comfort, alleviate pain. When you see people in their inner beauty and goodness, you transform and create.”

Being a mirror of goodness means letting others know what we most appreciate or love about them. The power of proximity allows us to be the mirror of goodness for one another on our journey together.

Books Co-Authored by Father Gabriel

- Transcending Grief: Recovering Meaning & Practical Tools for Navigating the Journey Through the World of Loss

- 5 Minute Prescription: For Health, Happiness, & Meaning in Life

-Trauma Treatment - Healing the Whole Person

-Transforming Relationships: Essentials for Building Bridges of Connection

The Depth is a space for faithbased leaders and individuals to share their thoughts, guidance, encouragement, what they’re witnessing, and more. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@ bewellpbc.org with “The Depth” in the subject line.

By: Holly J Stewart, LCSW www.yspb.org | @young_singers_palm_beaches

Over the past decade, arts programs in schools have been almost eliminated by budget reductions, educational reforms and the demands of standardized testing despite evidence they improve academic performance and mental health. Studies show art education improves mathematical and spatial-temporal reasoning, reading and verbal skills, and language proficiency resulting in higher grades and gains in academic IQ. Musical education strengthens attention, interpersonal skills, emotional health and impulse control, providing a protective factor for depression and anxiety. Art and music scaffolds emotional expression for young children who lack the necessary frontal lobe development and formal operational thought to express their experiences. It provides us the opportunity to address isolation, chronic stress, trauma, race, and socio-economic differences in a safe supportive space.

Even as arts magnet programs have gained prominence, other schools struggle to provide even minimal art and music education. It is not unusual for elementary school children to receive only 1 hour of arts education a week for 6 to 8 weeks out of the school year, or only a semester of arts education in middle school. By high school, arts education is nearly absent from the curriculum outside of select schools or overburdened electives. Under-resourced Title 1 schools are even less likely to provide arts education as they are burdened with meeting the educational and basic needs of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Many parents lack the resources to enroll their children in high performing school and magnet programs. (Birth to 22 Educational Equity)

Notes From A Few Of The Young Singers

(Caroline Downey)

Music is a powerful tool. YSPB showed me that it can move an audience, make people reflect, and unite people of various backgrounds and ages.

(Mickela Pitter) but singing never is. I know the world won’t ever be at peace but through singing, it sure seems peaceful. Singing not only unites people but betters people. Whether I sing with my family, friends, or even just alone I know that singing brings happiness. And last, I sing just to sing sometimes. (Who doesn’t sing?)

Struggling with the trauma of isolation following COVID, families are eager for their children to receive the mental health and academic benefits of music and art education. (Birth to 22: Becoming a Trauma Sensitive Community) We challenge you to get involved: advocate for arts education in our schools and afterschool programs, enjoy the many arts and cultural activities available in our community, and participate in May’s Get Your Green On Campaign for Mental Health Awareness.

Singing, dancing, and music welcome all. It’s something everyone can enjoy taking part in. Young Singers’ Cantate, Bel Canto and Men’s Choirs send positive messages through performance to their audiences.

I sing to touch the hearts of others in hopes of one day everyone coming together despite each other’s differences. I also sing because it is a part of me that I can never let go because it is one of the only things that makes me happy and it’s the easiest way for me to express myself since, when I talk, people don’t seem to understand what I’m trying to say.

(Olivia Martinez)

I sing because sometimes singing is all I can do. When life gets stressful and I feel stuck, singing can help. I sing because I believe I can change the world. There is always something to be sad about

(Devin Embrich)

I sing because singing makes me feel my eternal soul and when I sing I want people to feel the same way that I am while I am singing the song. I sing because not only does it brighten my day but I want to brighten other people’s day as well. When I sing, all of the frustration of the day goes away and it is just me, one on one with the music and there is no better feeling than that.

(Emily Binder)

Singing brings me happiness like nothing else can. It lets me get away from all the drama, crazy family stuff, or any pain I am feeling.

Since 2019, BeWellPBC, as a county-wide initiative, has evolved into a movement that is transforming behavioral health and wellness in Palm Beach County. BeWellPBC Community Connectors are Palm Beach County residents who emphatically engage community members, their fellow neighbors, system leaders, and providers to support residents how they want to thrive. Together, we take action to change the status quo and positively impact Palm Beach County’s behavioral health outcomes.

Come Join the Community Connectors Team!

Help bridge the gap and connect your neighbors to what they want and need.

What is a Community Connector?

A Community Connector is someone who is passionate about helping their community.A Community Connector is someone who advocates for their community to have more connections to services and support. A Community Connector is someone who is ready to increase awareness and decrease disparities in behavioral health.

Are you the go-to person in your neighborhood?

Do you have a passion for behavioral health and wellness and want to be part of a team that is vigorously working to stomp out the stigma that is associated within some of our communities?

If the answer is Yes, then we want to Connect with you! BeWellPBC is looking to expand the team, beginning in the following areas: Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Lake Park, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, and The Glades.