Appreciation for The Small Gift and The Little Book of Spiritual Health

Testimonial

 I had the great fortune to have these books gifted to me during the pandemic at a time when I was struggling with working from home in my role as a Specialist Bereavement Counsellor at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB). The changes in workplace environment, processing my own grief and loss and balancing work and home commitments were somewhat challenging and, at times, continue to be. 

The Little Book and The Small Gift have supported me in ways that are hard to put into words. They have helped me look inward, self-reflect on my values and inner resources, and ‘show up’ more in life. The small gift is an invitation to notice, so I asked myself:

• What does spiritual health mean to me personally?
• How can it support me in my work? and 
• How can I use it with clients to support them through their grief and loss? 

These questions have guided me both personally and professionally. I invite bereaved clients to notice how they feel when they take loving care of themselves at a time when life is hard and messy and when finding comfort in meaning is challenging and confronting. 

I use The Little Book and The Small Gift in bereavement support groups to promote connection to self and others. Reflecting on and discussing questions like ‘when I am overly critical of myself, is there something missing in my self-care practice?', has been helpful to explore and discuss spiritual health and self-compassion and can create a sense of belonging in groups... Examining barriers to practising self-care and exploring what it feels like when we become stressed or overwhelmed, invites participants to notice their connection to body, soul and spirit. 

These resources have been fundamental to my self-care, and I keep them close for when I need something to help me feel stable and grounded.  I read them when I want to focus on what is truly meaningful in my life, how I want to live through my values or when I need to be brave.

They feel like a 'safe place to fall'. 

I am so incredibly grateful (they have been noted in my gratitude journal on many occasions) to have these beautiful books in my possession. I will continue to use their teachings in my interactions with all beings, personally and professionally. They are my constant companions!

With gratitude and love, 

 Jo Baker

Specialist Bereavement Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor and Trainer 

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB)

 DipCoun, GCBCI (Grad Cert Bereavement Counselling & interventions), RGN, BaNurs, DipMid,

15 August

The Little Book of Spiritual Health and The Small Gift are available to purchase in our Shop.