Tag Archive for: growth

Monday Musings: We find what we’re looking for…

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I really believe in the essence of this aphorism.  For me, it means that when we yearn for, search for, or want something, it sometimes shows up —frequently—in the most unexpected places!

I began thinking about this seriously during the Walk for Peace back in February when I drove down to Virginia to witness the event with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. One of my friends, Cynthia, collects heart-shaped rocks she discovers. I thought that was kind of fun, and she is the inspiration behind my new habit! Now I look at rocks differently/more closely, though I don’t search them out. It really just happens… and it’s no longer just rocks! I see heart-shapes in some of the swirls of paint that I create while making collage papers; I find heart shapes in flower petals or leaves when I’m out walking. It’s an amazing and delightful reminder of my friend and the Walk for Peace.

I found the beauty securing the bouquet in place in the picture above on the first day I foraged in the Peloponnese mountains, in my first adventure creating ephemeral earth art there. Every time I see the picture or the rock (as I brought it home with me), I’m reminded of my wonderful experience.

What about you?
 What do you think about holding things unconsciously in our minds, and how they show up in our lives?

I just learned it’s called the “frequency illusion,” or the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon. It’s not only things that I see, but it’s also what catches my ear, so to speak. I experience a greater awareness of certain topics.

It makes me wonder: if I started thinking of new and different things, what might happen?

If I imagine new areas of interest, not just images that catch the eye or topics that I tune in to, will I begin to be more aware of more “coincidences.” I will have to explore this… collect a bit of data. I am intrigued!

Although I am not a person who needs more to think about—even when it’s fun, interesting, or important! I am a gal who has a lot of trouble saying no to offers of new ideas and projects. That’s true of existing commitments I’ve invested time and energy in, too. They have become a part of how I see myself. Just this month, I decided to give up hosting Grateful Gatherings for grateful.org. I’ve been hosting for over a year now. I really love the material, the conversations were heart-opening, and the time commitment was certainly reasonable. It was a hard decision. I have found my life heading in a slightly different direction with other opportunities that I’ve either found, or that have found me, that are reminding me that I can (and perhaps it would be wise to) say “No” to make room for “Yes.”

I’m wondering what you’re thinking about all these musings.
When was the last time you said yes? Or the last time you said no?

And do you say “No” to say “Yes,” or is it not that important to balance out? Perhaps it depends on the opportunity. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

A serendipitous cut into a potato meant for lunch!

 

Looking to the Future While Remembering the Past

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September 3, 2026

I learned this afternoon that this was the longest summer since 2020— from the earliest Memorial Day to the latest Labor Day*.  And it felt like it!

As you reflect on your experiences over the past 106 days, what stands out for you?

 

Earth altar in a tree hollow, in the Peloponnese mountains.

So many of my experiences in this long summer expanded my personal and professional horizons: my artist residency in Greece, completing my certifications as a chaplain and spiritual counselor and as a mindfulness and grief coach, attending Drawing Perspectives: Health Graphic Narratives, Under Pressure, the Graphic Medicine 2026 Conference, enjoying the energy a house guest brings, visiting with a friend I haven’t seen in several years in northern California, hosting several ephemeral earth art sessions at retreats, facilitating an experiential session on trauma-informed care, and more. These were heart-opening—and yet other times were tough—as we weathered a variety of health challenges with our family. It was a summer of learning to cherish the heart-warming times, lean into my “strong back and soft front” (from Roshi Joan Halifax) to be responsive to the moment, and let go of what wasn’t essential. Life is full of opportunities for learning.

 

What are you excited about as we enter this next season?

 

My altar from Saturday morning, a beautiful reminder me that my present holds my past.

Perhaps, “excited” is the wrong word. As you can tell,  this summer felt like a long ride on a roller coaster for me. There were highs and lows. I wasn’t always excited and happy; there were times of uncertainty, worry, sadness, and grief.

A better question is, how are you entering this new season? What’s on your mind and in your heart? What’s working – in your personal life, perhaps professionally and/or in your community? And what needs work and attention? Where will you put your time and energy in this new season?

Honestly, I’m ready for fall and the simple joy that comes with a routine. At the end of May, I said a formal goodbye to my colleagues at Bikablo – though my love and use of visualization are a part of all I do. I will continue coaching visual practitioners—both new and experienced—who are seeking a new lens to re-view and advance their work.

 

One piece from the session on the seasons of our lives at the Portland Institute retreat.

In reality, my plan for change began in earnest in January of 2025, I began the exciting journey of shifting my work to focus on my passion for end-of-life literacy and planning. In the summer of 2025, I completed the Arts-Assisted Grief Therapy Certificate from the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. In December, I became a certified Morning Altar’s Teacher, adding this new area to my collection of workshops addressing end-of-life planning, grief, loss, change, transition, and self-care. The Mindfulness and Grief Coaching work and my own arts-focused grief coaching program, heART-mind Grief Coaching, complement my workshops and retreats focusing on self-care and personal development.

I’ve got some plans. I bet you do too.
I’d love to hear yours. I hope you will be in touch. 

 

  • The combination of Memorial Day on May 25 and Labor Day on September 7 created an unofficial summer window of 106 calendar days. The same 106-day stretch last happened in 2020, and we will not experience a “mega Summer of this maximum length again until 2037.

Great reads!

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Summer reading… What did you love and learn in your explorations this summer—whether (physical) books, audiobooks, or maybe even podcasts?

While my list isn’t typical when I reflect on the phrase “summer reading” (which means “beach reads” or light fare to me),  I have loved and learned a lot. Here’s my list (beginning in late spring):

  • 10% Happier, Dan Harris
  • How to Say Good-bye, Wendy McNaughton
  • Kalyanamitra: A Model for Buddhist Spiritual Care, Rev. Dr. Monica Sanford 
  • Last Things: A Graphic Memoir About ALS, Marissa Moss 
  • Ronan and the Endless Sea of Stars, Rick Louis and Lara Antal
  • The World Could Be Otherwise, Norman Fischer
  • There is Never Anything but the Present, Alan Watts

I am in the midst of the workbook Living Fully and Dying Prepared by Francesca Lynn Arnoldy and cannot recommend it highly enough for everyone. She does in writing and through exercises what I endeavor to do in all my sessions on visual obituary creation and end-of-life planning—engaging in creative explorations of our lives and our wishes for care in our final days and weeks. This work brings a new appreciation of our present lives.

Are you looking ahead to September? I am planning new reading adventures, knowing that I have some books on my list for my studies and others that have piqued my interest. Next up for me is How to Tell a Story by The Moth, though I will listen to it in the car on my way to Maine in a few weeks. After listening to the book, I plan to call The Moth pitch line with an idea. Unbelievably, after attending the Creative Mornings program in which Catherine Burns was the speaker, I won The Moth: A Game of Storytelling! While it hasn’t arrived in the mail yet I can’t wait to open it and discover how to play. No doubt it will enhance my storytelling skills!

I’d love to hear what’s on your list—from the summer and the fall! I hope you will share!

Finding Joy in Reviewing Our Lives

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Earlier this summer, I was a guest speaker for “Death Panels: Exploring Dying and Death Through Comics” at the University of Chicago’s Institute on the Formation of Knowledge. 

 My topic, “Creating a Visual Obituary,” is one of my favorites, though I have to say that I had never before facilitated this offering with graduate students. And, I had never worked with a group that had studied dying, death, caregiving, grieving, and memorialization in such depth. I was keen to discover how they would respond to the subject matter (obituaries), the 50 prompts I had created, and the activity (drawing their obituary based on the questions/prompts that resonated for them), which I had used with older audiences. 

The session was really wonderful—the 25 students were engaged, many of the students sharing their ideas and questions easily. When they split into pairs, the room became bubbled with conversation for the first 15 minutes and quiet as they each settled into drawing. 

As they shared their thoughts and feelings about the entire experience, I heard that they had integrated the themes we discussed into their work: who am I writing this for, what will I share, how do I want to be remembered, what were the highlights of my life, what challenges did I work through and how did they shape me, who have I been close with, how did I live my values, and more.

I loved the experience and plan to offer it more… it’s akin to creating your visual life story or a life review. I’ve also created a visual lineage chart—important people in my life and experiences I have had. It’s another piece that I cherish.

Are you interested in learning more? I’d love to share my ideas about sharing our memories.

If you’re curious about the hand-drawn visuals I create in support of people planning for the end of their lives (often these are folks in their 50’s and 60’s), I hope you will join the TEDxSantaBarbara Salon on August 23rd. Learn more here, and please reach out to me with your questions!

Perhaps the first step into one of the most important conversations of your life

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Just last Friday, I had the amazing opportunity to present, Visual Storytelling for End-of-Life Planning at the Creative Mornings 2023 Showcase, Reverie. 

I am passionate about creating well-informed and meaningful conversations about all aspects of our lives, from birth through dying and death. There is so much to learn because we have many choices and want to make thoughtful decisions. I truly believe such rich conversations can easily lead us to more deeply appreciate every day of our lives. 

Here is the text from my 90-second talk; I wanted to share it with you. It is my invitation—really my gift—of an easy path into such conversations with your family and close friends.

Hi! I‘m Jill Greenbaum, a visual story catcher and advocate of the Death Positive movement.

I have a question for you: Would you be open to having a conversation about your current health, your work, and planning for your someday one-day death? Maybe two out of three?

To quote a colleague of mine, Jan Booth: 

“Starting a deep exploration of dying and death on our deathbed is unlikely….” 

I believe planning for our dying and death is one of the most important elements of our lives. What would you like to be the story—the plan—for your death?

  • What are your values about living and dying?
  • Where do you want to be in your final weeks?
  • Who will be with you?
  • How would you like to be in your environment —what music, scents, and visuals will be in the space?
  • What are your wishes for your life celebration, funeral, or memorial?
  • Have you thought about the disposition of your body after death?

I ask these questions, listen for answers, and create drawings that become living documents for in-depth, heart-opening, and vitally important conversations in families and among friends. 

I’ve shared one example of my work.

You can ask these questions of yourself and have these conversations too.

Please explore the wealth of resources that exist about creating the end-of-life experience you desire—for yourself and your loved ones. It is a journey that can help prepare you and will increase your appreciation of every day of your life. 

I hope that you will reach out to me with your comments and questions.

And, if you’re interested in having a gently guided conversation with me about your experience for your someday, one-day death, while I capture your plans in images and words, let’s have a coffee together to discuss the opportunity—in person or over Zoom.

PS: I thought it might be helpful to share my background in the end-of-life experience planning space. Y’all are connected with me through a great variety of my endeavors—visualization work, training, facilitation, coaching, Zentangle, and more. I have drafted a visual that shares my education, training, and experience in this end-of-life work. I hope it is interesting and informative. Of course, I’m happy to answer any questions that arise for you. 

All materials copyright ©2019 Jill Greenbaum, Ed.D. All rights reserved.