How to Save a Life : Healing Power of Poetry

Many of us who are focused on caring for others, whether inside or outside of healthcare, lose sight of the need to care for ourselves. The fact is that all humans need self-care. For over 40 years Dr. Barbara Loeb was such an individual. Caught up in her life as a physician, leader, partner, daughter, and mother she failed to stop and reflect on her life, making things much harder than they had to be and leading to burnout.During the COVID-19 pandemic, for her, just like for so many others, the need for self-care became more urgent. In her new book "How to Save a Life: Healing Power of Poetry," Dr. Loeb explores and redefines her path as a healer. She utilizes the principles of presence, reflection, self-awareness, and self-compassion to place words in her poetry that describe universal experiences we can relate to. In this way she invites us to travel on our own healing journey. Her ultimate aim is to inspire the reader to find their own path to well-being which is often paired with self-expression and creativity.Each chapter is illuminated by the artwork of the author's late mother, Judy "Salsa" Loeb.Reviews"The poems and drawings will stay with you. Dr. Loeb and her mother will link arms with you and walk by your side, into your past, present, and future, reminding you that “You’re not alone” in your care for others and yourself." -David Thoele, MD & Marjorie A. Getz, PhD, Narrative Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health “How To Save a Life: Healing Power of Poetry is a truly moving collection of poetry and art, sensitively written, carefully arranged, and beautifully presented. As Barbara faced her own challenges and nurtured self-awareness, she found solace, healing, and peace of mind through poetry. We are privileged to be able to walk with her in that journey, and through doing so, are naturally drawn to find the inner wellspring of peace, love, healing, and wholeness within us - the only place left to look... This book, lovingly written by Barbara, is a gem. Highly recommended!”-Shamash Alidina, Author, "The Mindful Way Through Stress & Mindfulness for Dummies.""…A deeply moving collection of poems that grounds you with eternal hope that you can always find your way back home, a reminder of the essential wholeness you already are!”-Daniel Friedland, MD, Author, "Leading Well from Within.""Barbara Loeb’s collection (of poetry) …reminds us of the timeless urgency of healing- to help others even with the knowledge of our transient identities, to enter life fully, to open to the gifts of now, and to know the potential of our lived moments. In beautiful words and images drawn from her observations and experiences of the natural, imagined, manufactured and human worlds, Barbara points us toward opening our hearts, renewing our sense of awe and wonder, and finding our ways back home to right here, for the only moments we have to live and love, connect and heal."-Michael Krasner, MD, Professor, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Co-founder, Mindful Practice."… More than a collection of soulful poetry; it is a personal journey of healing and transformation through the eyes of a healer. With her words of compassion and encouragement infused by nature imagery, this poet paints a vivid picture that won't leave one's mind's eye anytime soon."-Eva Xan, Poetry Editor, Author, "Esoterra."“This is so much more than a stunning collection of poems and art. It is a gem of a guide for the healing power of words and a journey through grounding, awakening, noticing, transforming, to healing. An imaginative legacy, for generations of family, caregivers, and readers of this delightful book.”-Mary Rose Thomson, Public Health Nurse Specialist, NHS Hospital Governor. Read more