I opened an article this morning about the death of Oscar-nominated actress Barbara Barrie, who died at age 95 after choosing Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), and I was absolutely appalled by the headline: "Oscar-Nominated Actor Dies in Assisted Suicide at 95." I have spent more than 50 years working with people who are dying, supporting families, and educating others about end-of-life choices. And I am deeply troubled by the continued use of the term "assisted suicide" to describe a legal, medically supervised end-of-life option chosen by a terminally ill person. Barbara Barrie had terminal cancer. She had lived a long and remarkable life. She was an advocate for New York's Medical Aid in Dying law, and when her own death approached, she made an informed decision to use that option. Her family has described her final moments surrounded by love. She deserved to have her story told with accuracy, context, and dignity. There is an important distinction between suicide and Medical Aid in Dying, even though people hold differing ethical, religious, and philosophical views about that distinction. In jurisdictions where Medical Aid in Dying is legal, it is an end-of-life option available only to people who meet specific medical and legal requirements. It is not a casual decision, nor is it available simply because someone is tired of living. You do not have to agree with Medical Aid in Dying to understand why language matters. You do not have to choose it for yourself to respect that another person may make a different choice. And you certainly do not have to abandon your personal beliefs to have a compassionate, informed conversation about death. As an end-of-life educator, I believe our responsibility is to educate, not sensationalize; to understand, not immediately condemn; and to recognize that dying people are human beings, not headlines. We need more conversations about mortality, suffering, quality of life, advance care planning, hospice, palliative care, and the choices available to people approaching death.

I wanted to share this as I had never heard of it. It is an innovative program through CMS with over 400 approved providers. It was started, I believe, in 2024. https://www.primaryrecord.com/understanding-medicares-guide-model-a-new-hope-for-dementia-care/

I have now seen two of these shows on Netflix. One was with Jane Goodall and the other with Eric Dane. The interviewer, I think, asks the important questions. At the end of the interview the person is left alone with the cameras to say what they’d like to say to whomever. The show is not aired until the person is gone. Some real honest and deep reflection is revealed and there is a sense of the individual ‘s end of life process. The name of the show is “Famous Last Words”.

🌿A “Word of the Year” isn’t a resolution with better PR. It’s a north star in your pocket—something you can reach for when life gets loud, messy, or exhausting. It’s not about perfection. It's about direction. 💡 Why one word works Goals can feel like homework. A word shows up in real life: - When you’re about to overcommit - When you’re reacting instead of responding - When you’re tempted to quit - When you’re choosing everyone else over yourself Your word becomes a simple question: “What would my word do here?” ✅ Quick Word-Picking Process (10 minutes) Grab a notebook or piece of paper. Write 3 lists: More of: Less of: Let go of: Circle what has the most emotional charge. That’s usually the doorway. Now ask: What’s the theme underneath?Overwhelm → Focus / SteadinessSelf-judgment → GraceClenching + holding on → ReleaseFeeling flat/numb → Joy / LoveFear + playing small → Ownership / Wildflower 🔥 The 3 Tests (to choose the right one) Pick your top 3 words and test them: 1) Bad-Day TestOn a hard day, does this word help… or shame you? 2) Whisper TestSay: “This year, I choose ___.”If your body softens or your eyes get spicy (teary), pay attention. 3) Behavior TestCan you name 3 actions this word would change? If not, it’s too vague. 🌸 Words already in our community Wildflower • Focus • Perseverance • Joy • Deep Breath • Embrace • Release • Grace • Ownership • Devoted • Steadiness • Peace • Tolerance • Love 👉If you’re choosing from these, try finishing one sentence: “This year, my word will help me practice ______.” 🧷 Make it REAL (not just pretty) Choose 1–2 anchors: - Put your word on your phone wallpaper - Write a daily question: “What would (WORD) do here?” - Pick one micro-ritual (ex, one deep breath before emails, meals, hard conversations) - Do a monthly reset: “Where did I live my word? Where did I drift?” A word becomes powerful when it changes tiny moments. That’s where your year is actually made. 👇 Comment below