Mindful Presence

Our core values matter
See me – hear me

Dear friends, We are holding this space for “transforming thoughts.” The message is about caring for a person living with dementia and the monumental need for societal change in our approach to caring for older people.   From old narratives To new narratives.   From impossible To what is possible. [...]

Collective Cruelty & Distorted Truths
Bullying and Social Bravery—Why Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk May Resonate With Caregivers

“Bullying - the act of harassing, intimidating, or abusing others, especially habitually or from a perceived position of relative power.” – Dictionary.com In Amy’s words… “… this kind of bullying is simultaneously this horrible public spectacle of shame where you're in a spotlight. And at the same time, it's a [...]

Our core values matter
See me – hear me

Dear friends, We are holding this space for “transforming thoughts.” All are included here because the message is about caring for someone living with dementia. The message speaks to the monumental need for societal change in our approach to caring for older people.   From old narratives To new narratives. [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #15: Splash Water on Hands and Feet on a Hot Day

Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #14: Make a Simple Bird Feeder

Why this helps: Creating something with your hands that invites birds into your yard connects your loved one to the living world outside. Watching birds visit a feeder you made together brings ongoing joy and a sense of purpose. The activity itself—spreading peanut butter, rolling in seeds—engages fine motor skills [...]

Living in a grief illiterate world
We don’t move on… We move forward

David Kessler is an American author, public speaker, and grief expert. He has published many books, including two co-written with psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD.  Looking to him as a leading grief expert when seeking support, we can be comforted knowing he is well-informed and providing reliable information on the topic. [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #12:  Create a “Summer Bucket List” Together

  Why this helps: Anticipation is a form of joy! Creating a visual list of simple, achievable summer pleasures gives your loved one something to look forward to. The list can include tiny things (eat a popsicle, sit in the shade) and slightly bigger ones (visit a relative, water the [...]

Their lasting impact
Two Matriarchs Who Walk With Me

A tribute to my mother and grandmother The following vignette was written in 2024 when Goshen College invited alumni to contribute memories for an Oral History Project. I never submitted it, nor have I previously published it. But now, in May of 2026, I find myself returning to these memories [...]

Sanjay's wisdom on chronic pain
Lean Into the Pain: Why Journaling Is the First Thing a Top Brain Surgeon Recommends

  Editor's Note:  Zulekha Ali, a regular contributor to ABeautifulVoice.org, writes about Sanjay Gupta's wisdom in a voice which reflects the ranchers' perspective. We three (my parents and I) engaged in all kinds of journaling - in addition to my own reflective writing at the end of the day. Dr. [...]

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