Led by Wayne Tormala, Chief, Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Tobacco & Chronic Disease

Loss and grief are part of life. The challenge is not how we can avoid loss (which we can’t), but rather how we can learn to face it in ways that help us cope, find new balance, and eventually achieve a sustained vitality. For volunteers or staff who work with people suffering losses, it becomes even more important to find comfort and resolve in our own personal losses, so that we can remain compassionate and helpful to others, and to ourselves. In this workshop, we’ll talk about accepting impermanence, navigating life’s transitions, getting acquainted with the many faces of grief, managing our triggers and blind spots, and exercising self-compassion as we seek a balance between keeping an open heart and maintaining a healthy sense of personal boundaries. Each of us grieves differently, and at different rhythms. We’ll look at what we might expect, but also cast aside common myths about grief. We’ll discuss some simple truths, talk about “monkey mind,” and end with a sense of serenity with a mindfulness meditation.

Time: 8:00 a.m. – Arrival and light breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Noon – Workshop

Space is limited to 20 people. Call (602) 274-5022 by June 11 to RSVP.