Comfort Resource Guide
Videos
1. "God
Said, Ha!"
A one woman stand-up
performance from Saturday Night Live's "Pat", Julia Sweeney. Looking
forward to living in her new bachelorette home, her idyllic life drastically
changes when her brother....and her parents....move into her place upon the
diagnosis of her brother's lymphoma. Eventually, Julia develops cervical
cancer. It is a humorous look into the world of disease, one's impending
mortality and familial invasion. Miramax Home
Entertainment.
2. "One
True Thing" - Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger,
A moving picture about
a mother's cancer, her daughter's forced return home to care for her and
their newly-discovered bonds. A good tear jerker with emphasis on getting
to know our parents before its too late. Universal Pictures, 1999.
3. "Mother
and Son"
A film by Alexander
Sokurov. In Russian and German with English subtitles.
Finally available on video 10/3/00, Fox Lorber Video.
4. "Healing
Spirit"
An exploration into the
human journey through life and death, illness and healing. It poses the
idea that wellness is more than just the absence of disease. The film looks
at healing as a spiritual process. It features segments by Drs. Deepak
Chopra, Bernie Siegel and Marion Woodman. There are some stunning moments
in this video that will make you rethink illness, spirituality, and love and
commitment. Mystic Fire Video,
Fox Lorber Associates, 1992, Not Rated. Best
availability - your public library.
5.
"Life After Life"
This video featuring
Dr. Raymond A. Moody, is founded on Dr. Moody's ideas that were presented in
his book of the same name. It features a number of interviews with people
who had death experiences and came back to life. Included in this video is
the assistant to Garth Brooks who was stung multiple times by bees and went
into anaphylaxis. It is a very comforting and reassuring video to watch, as
it reasserts the fact that has been presented many times, that we will be
reunited with our loved ones, that the afterlife is a comforting and loving
energy and that unconditional love is our most important earthly
experience. If you are having difficulty rationalizing the loss of a loved
one and feel saddened by their departure from your life, this is a great
video to watch. Its very life affirming, for this life and the next.
Cascorn International, 1992, ISBN: 0-9634008-0-0, Not rated. Best
availability - your public library.
6.
"Conversations
with GOD"
This video deals with
the exploration of near death experiences. It has some of the same authors
and interviewees that you will find on Life after Life. It is rather
comprehensive in its list of guest authors who have contributed to this
video. You will learn what it is like to be on "the other side", to
experience a panoramic life review (a fascinating and somewhat disconcerting
phenomenon - so live a good, clean, and loving life - or you'll have it
thrown back at you and it won't be pretty!! ed.) The fascinating
conversations revealed in this video uncover secrets of our true nature.
For those in the video who crossed over and came back, they lose their fear
of death, adopt a renewed zest for living and find new compassion for
others. Bricor International distributed by
Goldhil Video, 1995. Best availability - your public library.
Books/Literature
1.
Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult
Times - Rabbi David Wolpe, Riverbend Books, NY, 1999,
ISBN:1-57322-141-4
2.
Discover the Power Within You -
Eric Butterworth. Eric Butterworth is a Unity minister and author of
numerous books and articles in the area of spirituality and metaphysics. In
this book, Eric encourages you to explore the "depth potential" within you.
He thoughtfully addresses such subjects as: how to pray, how to find
confidence, how to overcome personal problems and how to find healing.
Highly recommended. Harper San Francisco, 1968,
1989. ISBN:0-06-250115-1, $14.00 USA.
3.
In the Flow of Life - Eric
Butterworth. Another powerful book that addresses timely and helpful
issues such as: finding the good in seemingly hopeless situations, letting
go of anxieties about death, and finding guidance for every need. Great
reading. Unity Books, 1982, second printing, 1999.
ISBN:0-87159-066-2 $9.95 USA.
TV Shows
1. "Crossing
Over With John Edward"
Wow! What an amazing
show. Not only is John Edward a good looking, intelligently witty man but
he really has a gift to communicate with the deceased. Because of this
show, I no longer feel devastated by my father's passing. I joyously revel
in the assumed knowing that my father has been reunited with his family and
many loved friends. It is a show I earnestly try to watch every night that
it is on. John Edward is very contemporary and does not come across as
weird, spacey-ethereal. The reactions of the audience members receiving a
reading are quite genuine and honest. It is really worth watching! It is
my mission to have a private reading by him in 2001. There is also a
substantial waiting list for tickets to his show.
Sunday-Thursday at 11:00pm on the Sci-Fi channel.
2. "On
Our Own Terms"
Another phenomenal show
by Bill Moyers. This is a 4-part series that aired recently on PBS
and is reported to have repeat showings in October. This program touched on
many different aspects of illness, caring for a loved one and end of life
decision-making. As with most PBS shows, it should eventually end up
on video, if you find that you have missed the airing of this wonderful
program.
Music
The only music that has
really struck a nerve with me is the song, "Jesus
to a Child" by George Michael. George lost his mother and his
former lover around the same time and I believe those experiences were the
motivators behind this amazing song. I have not heard a song that so
brilliantly addresses the passing of a lover or partner as eloquently as
this song. I have received several emails from people who said that they
feel so lost without their partners. I refer them to the lyrics of this
song, they are that profound. I am including the lyrics to this song
because I feel it holds such power, peace and hope. The song is from George
Michael's album "Older" and also available on his greatest hits cd, "Ladies
and Gentlemen...". Both cds also contain the song "You Have Been Loved"
another great song addressing the same issue. Absolutely right on!!
Jesus to a Child
kindness in your eyes
I
guess you heard me cry
you smiled at me
like Jesus to a child
I'm blessed I know
heaven sent and heaven stole
you smiled at me
like Jesus to a child
and what have you learned
from all this pain
I
thought I'd never feel the same
about anyone or anything again
but now I know
(chorus) when you find love
when you know that it exists
then the lover that you miss
will come to you on those cold, cold nights
when you've been loved
when you know it holds such bliss
then the lover that you kissed
will comfort you when there's no hope in sight
sadness in my eyes
no one guessed, well no one tried
you smiled at me
like Jesus to a child
loveless and cold
with your last breath you saved my soul
you
smiled at me
like Jesus to a child
and
what have I learned
from all these tears
I
waited for you all those years
then just when it began
He took your love away
but I still say
repeat chorus
so the words you could not say
I'll sing them for you
and the love we would have made
I'll make it for two
for every single memory
has become a part of me
you will always be ...my love
well
I've been loved
so I know what love is
and the lover that I kissed is always by my side
oh the lover I still miss...was Jesus to a child.
©
George Michael, 1995
|