Lifelines

Director's Welcome Other Articles in this Issue: Director's Welcome Some Factors Enhancing Quality of Life Interview: Jack Childs: Holistic Perspectives on Quality of Life What the Studies and Experts Say Recommended Readings

The world as we knew it changed dramatically on September 11, 2001 as Americans and the world watched in horror and disbelief at what could perhaps be considered one of the most horrific acts of terrorism this world has ever known. Freedom and independence are fundamental aspects of the American way of life. We grieve deeply with the family and friends of those who lost their lives and we know that our lives will never be the same. In this issue of Lifelines, we will look at what has been described as quality of life. We will look at what this means and represents. What is its essence? How do we talk about it? Does it differ for every age group? In Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen Covey offers a universal mission statement that suggests we seek "to improve the economic well-being and quality of life of all stake-holders." Does living a life based on principles ensure high quality? Is this kind of quality of life available to all people when more than half of us deal with issues of survival as part of daily life? The answers to these questions affect all of us, especially our children. Recently Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island announced a new program called "Freshman Class" for all children born after January 1, 2001. This program eliminates all co-payments for preventive care for children fifteen months of age and younger. Also this summer, the first Psicomotricita studio in the U.S. opened its doors in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The Psicomotricita methodology developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy, encourages young children to express their ideas freely through physical movement in order to promote healthy self-expression and emotional development. Enhancing the life chances of all children improves everyone’s quality of life. These initiatives promote healthy human development in new ways and show that we must continue to be proactive in exploring the ways in which the mind and body work together. How our children are doing, greatly affects how we are doing, both as individuals and as a society. Similarly, how we are doing as adults and as parents has a tremendous impact on our children and on their lives. In this issue of Lifelines, we examine some of the criteria that are involved in defining and creating a quality world which encompasses good health, accountability, and responsibility for one’s own decisions. We interview Dr. Jack Childs, the founder and past director of the Holistic Counseling Program at Salve Regina University, one of few such programs in the United States. Founded in 1983, the Holistic Counseling Program is dedicated to sharing new ways of looking at the complexities of healing, health, and of creating the balance and integration of all aspects of one’s life. Students from around the world attend this Master’s Degree Program to gain additional insights into the process of healing and of maintaining health. As Dr. Childs suggests, only when we ourselves are healthy, can we guide our children and others in successfully discovering their own potential for leading a healthy life. The program challenges its students to think in new ways about understanding the interconnectedness of all living systems using information available from several disciplines including education, psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and philosophy. It is often said that one can find a superior quality of life here in Rhode Island. Yet what quality of life means is not the same for all people. In general however, the essence of life, and of living life to its fullest, has often been thought to incorporate having the courage to follow one’s heart and live directed by one’s passions. This requires believing in oneself and listening to what we understand and treasure as we search for new ways to find meaning and fulfillment. But how far do we have to go? Do we have to live a life in which we are willing to die for our beliefs, as POW’s, martyrs or even suicide bombers have done? Though the suicide bombers of September 11th decided to take their own lives, they also took the lives of thousands who did not choose to end their lives for themselves. We explore the answers to some of these questions with Dr. Childs and welcome your insights and comments as we journey together toward healthy human development. Sincerely, Cynthia García Coll Mittlemann Family Director Center for the Study of Human Development