Let’s continue our focus on what we learned from animals about living well. And then we’ll look at what they taught us about dying well in Part 2.
In our previous blog post, we shared exactly we mean about living well through the last breath the BrightHaven way.
BrightHaven Guiding Principles for Living Well
Here are some of BrightHaven’s key guiding principles for living well that we learned from animals. They are fundamental tenets of our work and our daily lives:
We emphasize healing, which is the internal process of achieving balance and harmony of body, mind and spirit. We also include emotions as thoughts often spark and shape feelings. This balance helps to release the body’s natural healing abilities. And our role is to support this innate process.
By following the wisdom of animals, we created the BrightHaven Menu for Healing, which forms the foundation of our work. It focuses on the best quality of life at all stages. And its goal: achieve optimal balance of body, mind and spirit, regardless of circumstances.
Symptoms are nothing to fear. They can give us a lot of information about what’s going on with our loved one. This data helps us to provide them with the proper support. Also, it’s important to look at the big picture, including family dynamics, etc. that may negatively impact an animal’s wellbeing.
We view the physical body as the vehicle that allows our soul and spirit to navigate this life, and so we care for it lovingly.
More of What We Learned from Animals About Living Well
Purrci enjoying a cardboard box
We value animals as our equals and as great wise and wonderful educators. They are worthy of honor, respect and kindness as co-inhabitants of this planet. And each and every being—human and nonhuman animals, and plants—have their own one-of-a-kind life journey and purpose. We also feel that every being is a unique expression of Source.
We honor the physical, emotional, spiritual and energetic bond between people and their animals. The quality of relationships has a tremendous impact on the happiness, health and wellbeing of all concerned.
Animals are perceptive, emotional beings, capable of awareness and feelings, including distress. They deserve an environment and conditions (including diet, enrichment, etc.) that allow them to achieve a state of balance, harmony and wellbeing throughout their entire lives.
Animals are always true to themselves, and we lovingly accept them just as they are.
Death is not the end. This life is simply part of a longer, perhaps never-ending trajectory. We are all a part of all there is… and all beings are on similar journeys.
We have faith that all is well as it is in this moment, and that everything is unfolding perfectly for the highest good of all concerned.
Love is an essential, transformative and mighty healing force! The importance of love to living a joyful, abundant and rewarding life is indisputable.
And at BrightHaven, it’s all about living well—and fully—through the last breath!
For more of BrightHaven’s guidelines about living well, check out our latest book: GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. You’ll also learn how the spiritual comfort and wisdom shared by animals may inspire you to live and connect more deeply with yourself and others from your heart and soul—where love remains the prevailing principle!
It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth — and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.” —Elisabeth Kübler–Ross
BrightHaven Caregiver Resources to Help Your Animal Live Well Each and Every Day!
ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL! In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share inGRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
Gail & Joey (Photo by in joy photography)
Do you have questions about how BrightHaven’s holistic healing or animal hospice care approaches can help your animal? Do you wish to discuss end-of-life concerns and options? We invite you to book a consultation for experienced and compassionate support.
The BrightHaven Guide to Animal Hospice – learn how to care for your animal companions in their Golden Years and through the end of life. (Author: Gail Pope)
BrightHaven Online Learning – help your loved one live the best life possible each and every day! We share what we’ve learned about holistic healing, animal hospice and living and dying well by following the wisdom of the animals since 1990.
Carol & Silver (Photo by Beth Shields)
Walking with My Dog Through (End of) Life – an intimate look at a profound life passage, from terminal diagnosis through hospice care and a peaceful, gentle natural death. (Author: Carol Howe Hulse)
You will also receive information about animals needing rescue and updates on those we have saved through our Rescue program that specializes in medical rehabilitation, which makes us unique.
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ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL! In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share in GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
