Those who have died usually give us touching and sometimes amazing signs of their survival, very much as if they were sending postcards from the beautiful realities where they now reside. Unfortunately, few of those who are grieving are aware of the kinds of things that the newly dead most often do to prove to us that they have survived, so many of these post-death signs are missed. And if we don't acknowledge what our dead loved ones are doing for us, soon they will shrug and give it up. In The Fun of Staying in Touch, Roberta Grimes lays out in simple terms how these signs from the dead are delivered, how to spot and acknowledge them, and how to encourage ongoing relationships with people we used to think were dead. Roberta's book also examines the many ways in which we ourselves can initiate contact with those who have died, some ancient and some on the cutting edge. From scrying and pendulums through self-induced communications and the soul phone, this whole area of exploring ways to stay in touch with those we love holds exciting possibilities that are going to bear fruit later in this century. It is looking ever more likely now that before long those that we used to think were lost will be only a loving phone call away.

"Five Friends Keep Talking" - what a groundbreaking title for this book, inspired by "The Five Friends" by Enid Blyton, whose stories the author devoured in his childhood. Now Erich Skopek himself embarks on a search for the lost art of togetherness and attempts to revive it. Because, in the author's opinion, genuine relationships with individuals have become rare. Either people have forgotten how to build such togetherness or they are afraid of the effort and expense involved in creating true community. The author is certain that this is why many people today suffer from loneliness and superficial relationships. A small group of friends now proves that it is worth living authentic friendship.

Insight and actionable information on keeping your brain sharp as you age Your brain controls who you are—how you think, feel, and act. As you age, it's not uncommon to want to remain as sharp and "with it" as you were in your younger years. Whether you want to hone your memory, manage stress and anxiety, or simply eat brain-healthy food, Staying Sharp For Dummies shows you how to keep your mind sharp, agile, and creative well into your golden years. Research shows anyone can improve brain performance—and it's never too late to make changes to achieve your optimal brain health. While brain exercises certainly help, it's also vital to promote healthier living as a holistic way to support brain health. Staying Sharp For Dummies explains how keeping physically fit, eating right, managing stress, and even connecting with others helps give your brain the boost it needs to stay sharp—well into your golden years. Build a better brain through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and brain workouts Cope with a specific brain disorder, such as stroke, Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Stay sharp and improve memory and concentration Access an online bonus chapter from Alzheimer's For Dummies and Dementia For Dummies If you or a loved one are looking for authoritative, accessible guidance on staying sharp, this essential guide endorsed by the American Geriatric Society and the American Geriatric Society Health in Aging Foundation covers the gamut of lifestyle and activity changes that can maximize brain function and health.

This acclaimed, influential work applies the concepts of systemic family therapy to the emotional life of congregations. Edwin H. Friedman shows how the same understanding of family process that can aid clergy in their pastoral role also has important ramifications for negotiating congregational dynamics and functioning as an effective leader. Clergy from diverse denominations, as well as family therapists and counselors, have found that this book directly addresses the dilemmas and crises they encounter daily. It is widely used as a text in courses on family systems and pastoral care.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) presents unique ethical and practical challenges, particularly for graduate students. This volume explores the nuanced experience of conducting CBPR as a PhD student. It explains the essential roles of developing trust and community relationships, the uncertainty in timing and direction of CBPR projects that give decision-making authority to communities, and the politics and ethical quandaries when deploying CBPR approaches—both for communities and for graduate students. The Community-Based PhD brings together the experiences of PhD students from a range of disciplines discussing CBPR in the arts, humanities, social sciences, public health, and STEM fields. They write honestly about what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned. Essays address the impacts of extended research time frames, why specialized skill sets may be needed to develop community-driven research priorities, the value of effective relationship building with community partners, and how to understand and navigate inter- and intra-community politics. This volume provides frameworks for approaching dilemmas that graduate student CBPR researchers face. They discuss their mistakes, document their successes, and also share painful failures and missteps, viewing them as valuable opportunities for learning and pushing the field forward. Several chapters are co-authored by community partners and provide insights from diverse community perspectives. The Community-Based PhD is essential reading for graduate students, scholars, and the faculty who mentor them in a way that truly crosses disciplinary boundaries. Contributors: Anna S. Antoniou, Amy Argenal, Sonya Atalay, Stacey Michelle Chimimba Ault, Victoria Bochniak, Megan Butler, Elias Capello, Ashley Collier-Oxandale, Samantha Cornelius, Annie Danis, Earl Davis, John Doyle, Margaret J. Eggers, Cyndy Margarita García-Weyandt, R. Neil Greene, D. Kalani Heinz, Nicole Kaechele, Myra J. Lefthand, Emily Jean Leischner, Christopher B. Lowman, Geraldine Low-Sabado, Alexandra G. Martin, Christine Martin, Alexandra McCleary, Chelsea Meloche, Bonnie Newsom, Katherine L. Nichols, Claire Novotny, Nunanta (Iris Siwallace), Reidunn H. Nygård, Francesco Ripanti, Elena Sesma, Eric Simons, Cassie Lynn Smith, Tanupreet Suri, Emery Three Irons, Arianna Trott, Cecilia I. Vasquez, Kelly D. Wiltshire, Julie Woods, Sara L. Young