The Elephant in the Room is a metaphorical idiom for an obvious problem, or a difficult situation, that people do not want to talk about. Everyone knows the elephant is there, but no one is willing to acknowledge it.
Isn't it interesting that our society chooses not to talk about death, dying or grief. End of Life (EOL) Conversations should be happening among our families and friends, even when no one is ill, or near death.
One of the many benefits of speaking openly about EOL matters, is that we begin to unravel, and demystify, death. Exploring EOL encourages us to build healthier relationships, and experiences, with the Absolute, 100% Guaranteed Event, that will happen to each and every one of us.
Be courageous and start having A Necessary Conversation (ANC) now. Take the opportunity to change your journey by exploring, empowering and enriching your own experiences.
Explore the elephant in the room!
My Inspiration
My name is Dee Dee and A Necessary Conversation is an endeavor to offer an alternative approach to those yearning to experience End of Life matters, in a spiritually-rooted state of being. The relationships we cultivate between living, dying, death and bereavement will deeply influence our reactions and responses to life and death situations.
As a child, I was always curious about death and dying....but I quickly learned that these subjects matters are rarely discussed in our society. So, I did what most of us do: I avoided any kind of self-awareness around these topics for many, many years.
Like many people, I have encountered different circumstances of death (children, young adults, accidents, sickness and murder). The more death I experienced, the more uncomfortable I became with how I was processing End of Life situations. Never once did it occur to me, that I could change how I spiritually responded to death, dying and grief.
Then, the ultimate tipping point happened. I received an unexpected call: My Dad had suddenly died. I was rapidly engulfed with so many different feelings and emotions! I could not control the psychological roller coaster that was now my reality.
A short time after my Dad's death, my sisters and I were surprised, and unsettled, to be given the responsibility of orchestrating our Dad's "funeral and reception." We felt inadequate to make such significant decisions on his behalf, and we had no idea where to turn to for guidance.
Fortunately for us, a heartfelt deed quickly transpired: Our Mom offered to help us "celebrate" our Dad! What is amazing about this overture, is that our parents had been divorced for over 18 years, and both of them had created new lives for themselves.
A few seasons after my Dad's heartwarming Life Celebration, I was finally ready to start exploring my own deep-rooted feelings around End of Life situations. I earnestly wanted to start building emotionally healthier bridges between living, dying, death and grief. I knew that I needed a wide range of spiritual tools to experience both the pain, and the joy, that comes with life and death. Understanding this, I have been inspired and motivated to seek, and attain, varied education, training and professional certification as a Facilitator and Death Doula in End of Life Care.
I live in the Los Angeles area with my husband of 31 years. I have two children that I deeply love. I am also "Mom" to two dogs. I am in profound gratitude that I've been in recovery for over 22 years. Throughout these years, I have been given the opportunity to help countless women by guiding each of them through the physical, and the emotional changes necessary, to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
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