Michele Borna- End Of Life Care Doula

03/08/2025

The Nine Contemplations on Death. A Buddhist Meditation. I have been studying and contemplating this meditation, the further I get into working with my clients, the more it means to me- not only for them but for myself. It brings me peace. As the 1st Contemplation says, Death is Inevitable, and finding peace in that take away a lot of anxiety from living.

Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs

1 Death is inevitable. No one is exempt.

Holding this thought in mind, I abide in the breath.

2 Our life span is ever-decreasing. Each breath brings us closer to death.

Holding this thought in mind, I delve deeply into its truth.

3 Death will indeed come, whether or not we are prepared.

Holding this thought in mind, I enter fully into the body of life.

4 Human life expectancy is uncertain. Death can come at any time.

Holding this thought in mind, I am attentive to each moment.

5 There are many causes of death – even habits, desires and accidents are precipitants.

Holding this thought in mind, I consider the endless possibilities.

6 The human body is fragile and vulnerable. Our life hangs by a breath.

Holding this thought in mind, I attend to my inhale and exhale.

7 At the time of death, material resources are of no use to us.

Holding this thought in mind, I invest wholeheartedly in practice.

8 Our loved ones cannot keep us from death. There is no delaying its advent.

Holding this thought in mind, I exercise non-grasping.

9 Our body cannot help us at the time of death. It too will be lost at that moment.

Holding this thought in mind, I learn to let go.

12/31/2023

With the New Year upon us, here is a reminder that it's okay to be where you are and how you are in this moment.
No resolutions are necessary here.

I wish you a peaceful and joy-filled 2024.
💜Mabs

12/25/2023

Wrapping you in love this day, and everyday.
Christmas Blessings
💜✨️🕯💜
Mabs

11/25/2023

This is lovely, a woman, with the help of her death doula, set up a living wake for herself. Cancer sucks, terminal illnesses suck, but this is a beautiful way to help face the end-of-life. I'm happy for her that she got party with friends and loved ones while she still could.
To me, this is why end-of-life care is vital, we can't stop death, but we can soften the ending.

Do you have any questions about end-of-life care? Let's talk about it together. You don't have to face it alone.
💜Mabs

Facing terminal cancer, Annie Werner realised she didn’t want people saying ‘super nice’ things about her after she had died. She wanted to be there – so she held a living wake

11/20/2023

Grief at Thanksgiving.
It's okay to not want to celebrate or feel thankful when you're in the depths of grief. I think this article from What's Your Grief will help you navigate through and help you find some grace for yourself.

Here for you. Holiday love to all of you.
Memento Mori et Memento Vivere
💜Mabs

It can be difficult to cope with grief at Thanksgiving. It's easy to feel alienated on a holiday that focuses on thankfulness and gratitude.