Utilizing everyday objects as metaphors in interactions with careseekers can significantly shift perspectives. These curated objects may assist a careseeker in visualizing a challenge, discovering hidden meanings, or carving a fresh path towards understanding.
Learning about Feelings from Random Objects
An object-based prompt for use with your care-seekers
Imagine you are on your way to your chaplain job. You gather a few random objects from around the house (whisk, potato masher, unused toothbrush, candle, etc.). You are on your way to a hospice visit with a family member you have known for a few months.
You arrive and find a place to sit and lay out the objects. You tell the careseeker you brought some things to look at today. They look at the objects (in silence). You invite them to pick up one of the objects (if applicable). Ideally they will be holding or in personal contact with the object if this is possible before you give the following instructions.
Tell them they are going to describe the object and then share how the object represents a feeling or emotion they have had in the last 48 hours. Allow as much time as needed to process or share.
They can take another object and repeat as desired, with the same prompt question or a new one.
Consider
What would you do with your glass of suffering once you have it? Can we help care-seekers really "see" or understand their suffering using the embodied metaphor of the suffering glass? What are the risks of making suffering metaphorically visible?