Anita Lang - The Art of Wellbeing: A Resource for Health and Healing

This mother-daughter team provides a rich text of insightful views from a diverse group of experts on both the meaning of wellbeing and the barriers that impede our ability to experience wellbeing. An added bonus is the personal story of each of the writersAnita and Jennifer highlight their own vulnerabilities and learning on their unique wellbeing journeys.

Ruth M. Godfrey, founder of Learning Journeys International Center of Coaching

This collection of insights demonstrates the many vital connections between mind and body that shape our wellbeing. It also highlights the scope of available therapies and medicines that go beyond mainstream clinical practices. Readers particularly interested in the therapeutic value of the arts will celebrate the range of responses from practitioners in the arts and in kindred fields.

Arnie Cox, PhD, associate professor of music theory, Oberlin College

GLOBAL WELLNESS PRESS

Copyright 2017 Global Wellness Press

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher at the address below.

GLOBAL WELLNESS PRESS, LLC

P.O. Box 1081

Chanhassen, MN 55317

www.artofwellbeingbook.com

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2017

ISBN eBook edition: 978-0-9975775-0-1

ISBN print edition: 978-0-9975775-1-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016912769

Speaking engagements and other author events scheduled through:

www.artofwellbeingbook.com

DISCLAIMER: This book does not provide medical advice; its content and suggestions do not substitute for consultation with a physician. Medical and health sciences change rapidly, and information contained in this book might not be current when read. Neither the publisher nor the authors are liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from information in this book. Neither the publisher nor the authors will be held responsible and disclaim liability for any changes in the opinions and organizations of interviewees.

Photography credits follow the index.

Editing by Connie Anderson, www.wordsanddeedsinc.com

Book design by K. M. Weber, www.ilibribookdesign.com

Indexing by Terry Casey, www.caseyindex.com

A portion of the proceeds from The Art of Wellbeing is being donated to the International Hearing Foundation.

The International Hearing Foundation (IHF) is an affiliate of the University of Minnesota Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

T he Art of Wellbeing: A Resource for Health and Healing evolved at a time of personal and professional transition. Putting our energy into fields where we had experience, we began the journey of interviewing individuals in both traditional medicine and complementary alternative medicine (CAM). We then expanded to include industries that may not always be seen as providing health care but in essence have a significant impact on health. What we experienced was not only additional insight but transformation in our lives. During this journey, new learnings with providers outside the healthcare silo were revealed. This new awareness may help others who are experiencing transition and are seeking new motivation toward wellness.

ANITA: My mother died in a nursing home hospice after struggling with pneumonia, heart failure, and the painful effects of being over-medicated. One month after my mother died, my job also ended. My younger daughter Jennifer returned from France and needed a temporary home. My husband was being treated for several health conditions. I was exhausted and discouraged. As I was experiencing both personal and professional grief, thus began a time of exploration.

Through the painful process of my mother being rushed through a myriad of healthcare settingsemergency rooms, hospitals, rehab facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living centers, I became appalled by the fragmented care and apparent burnout of the professional staff. Most physicians, providers, and caretakers continued to rush my mother and our family while moving us through their systems. My mother was often struggling, saddened, anxious, and at times neurotic due to higher doses of drugs she was not used to taking. The most startling was when she fell out of her hospice bed during the nightshe died within a couple of days due to the trauma while she devotedly held a picture of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. I still remember her saying, Its not easy to die.

After my mom died, I reflected on my thirty years experience in health care and realized that I was one of those hurried, burned-out healthcare workers. Thus, I began to explore other opportunities. Specifically, I was increasingly interested in traditional and holistic services to help balance the inequities in traditional systems. My intent was to share insights gained with those who may be seeking solutions to the barriers related to achieving wellbeing within themselves or their organizations. This ultimately would then lead to more opportunities to collaborate in order to avoid difficult healthcare experiences.

JENNIFER: During my four years living in Paris after college, I led a busy, often hectic life. My days were filled with teaching English for well-to-do French families, my own intensive contemporary violin studies, the work required to launch a nonprofit arts organization, and intensive translation studies. Not to mention that the daily commute within Paris via train and subway was unpredictable due to frequent construction delays and regular strikes.

In the summers, I returned home or traveled within Europe, performing and/or working administrative jobs at various summer music festivals. Though I was just barely scraping out a living, I was able to afford Parisian rent each monthand sometimes a cheap French pastry on occasion. To lower my carbon footprint, I ate a mostly vegan diet. As it turned out, this helped me save money, too.

The experience was liberating though definitely grueling at times. A friend messaged me on Facebook to ask how I was managing to survive in Europe. She seemed incredulous that I was eking out a living there. She was interested in doing the same but seemed trepid and daunted by the task. At the time, I was slightly stunned by the question because, from my standpoint, I had no choice but to survive. Well, through the daily grind of carrying my violin and backpack in the crowded transit systems, I eventually developed a shoulder issue that made it painful to play the violin. Given these factors, and having put closure to my music studies and nonprofit work, I decided to return to the Twin Cities in my home state of Minnesota.

Even once I had moved back to my own country, I had the continual nagging sense of being a foreigner. It was difficult to put my experiences into words. Furthermore, people didnt like hearing about France over and over again. To top it off, most of my childhood friends had either moved away or were busy with their own careers and family lives.

Seeking care for my shoulder condition, and trying to get my bearings, I volunteered and engaged in projects outside of musicpermaculture, teaching, arts administration, and solar energy. Peripherally, I had always been interested in these activities, and getting more involved with them not only broadened my experiences but also afforded me the opportunity to interact with leaders I admired across a spectrum of industries. Through observing these individuals and contributing to society in new ways, I began to feel empowered again, and healthier.