The start of a new chapter, for many, brings on the feeling of new beginnings and a renewed sense of energy to make changes in your life.   One of MyLVAD's dear colleagues, and moderator of our monthly online support groups, Greg Larsh, PhD, CSM, has written a handbook entitled "Life Enrichment & Coping Skills: A Resource Manual for LVAD Patients." This month we start a series of articles surrounding Greg's handbook with the hope that it will help all of our members with their LVAD lives. We would like to thank Greg and the Penn State Hershey Medical Center team for allowing us the opportunity to bring the manual to you.

Revisioning

A number of years ago Fredrick Hudson (1999) conducted a study that involved reading autobiographies and biographies of great men and women living in the twentieth century. Hudson’s research question was, “What was the driving sense of purpose in each person’s life?” What are the values that fueled passion and motivation for these folks? Hudson uncovered six recurring values or themes from his research. These great men and women all valued 1) personal identity or sense of self, 2) achievement, 3) intimacy, 4) play and creativity, 5) search for meaning, and 6) compassion and contribution. Hudson concluded that these values (or any combination of them) were “emotional themes that generated energy and life meaning” for all of the women and men studied; regardless of their race, gender, roots or pedigree, or educational accomplishments.

Revisioning refers to the process of redefining who you are in light of the challenges and life-changing events that you are currently facing or have recently faced. Revisioning your life will depend on finding what it is in life that you value. What has significant meaning and importance to you? Remember: you are not defined by your LVAD. There may be a direct correlation between the ability to re-envision your life and a sense of well-being. You will find meaning and purpose as you work to re-envision your life. “Who was I?” becomes “Who am I now?” And just because you can’t do all the doing you used to do, you are still a person of value. Do not measure your worth by what you can no longer do. Do not allow your limitations to create a false and distorted sense of who you are.

Revisioning your life requires the same focus that is needed when, without warning, you find yourself in the middle of a blanket of fog while negotiating a dangerous curve. You slow down, turn on the lights, grab the wheel with both hands, turn off the radio, tense up, and lean forward (Kouzes & Posner, 2002).

Outlined below are four suggestions for revisioning your life and finding your fit.

1.  Listening to Self: The present and future you prefer does not happen all at once. You will need help as you think about a new normal. Slow down and stop long enough to listen to yourself. For here and now. There is nothing mystical about slowing down to listen to your thoughts and feelings. Listen to yourself in a non- anxious approach. When we are willing to listen to our own inner voice we must turn off all media, all technology. You will not often hear silence at first. You will hear the sound of whirling, endless thoughts. Listening to your own inner thoughts in a quiet, undisturbed space will become the avenue of a new perspective. This can be a somewhat lonely and vulnerable place (Wicks, 2010). Stay there anyway.

2.  Life Review: Conducting a life review offers the necessary information for reframing and revisioning your new normal. A Life Review allows you to revisit the highlights of your life and use the energy from these to redirect your thinking and recreate life purpose. Yes. It is true. Life reviews can take us into the world of the “would of, should of, and could of.” In your life review focus on what you previously found enjoyment in and the hobbies, you want to get back to doing.

3. Reframing Life: "Reframing turns liabilities into strengths" (Stone, 2007). A frame is a perspective. A frame can be used to better understand life events and the circumstances surrounding and influencing these events. A new frame of reference can make a profound and life-changing impact. So, “the sky is falling” can be a frame of reference. However, reframing can lead us to a new statement that is more accurate and healthier: “One tile in the ceiling is loose and with a step ladder and a new 12-inch x 12-inch ceiling tile that part of my world will be improved or fixed.” Spend time reframing. Anticipate what you want to see in your life. Don’t spend an inordinate amount of time trying to fix the past. Reframing can offer the possibility of finding a deep sense of contentment and life- satisfaction.

4.  Autobiography: Writing about you. Choose a title for your life. What is the title? What is the chapter heading for the past? What is the chapter heading for the future? What are your hobbies, adventures; even scary situations? There are seminars, workshops, and websites that can teach you how and walk you through the steps of writing an autobiography.