The most fulfilling thing in life is human connection. During both our highs and our lows, all we really need is an ear to hear our worries, a shoulder to cry on and a friend to laugh with.

Karole Hamilton, the executive director at Lehigh Health and Rehabilitation Center, gathered her associates together one day for a meeting. She asked each of them to choose one word from a list of 12 that truly spoke to them. She asked them to choose a word not because their friend picked it, but because it had meaning to them and naturally drew them in.

The list of words included: dream, inspire, charity, family, believe, friends, harmony, trust, hope, peace, faith and love.

After everyone picked their word, Karole had them group together with others who picked the same word as they did. Within those smaller groups of 12, associates discussed why they chose their word. They were then each given a pocket stone to keep on their person with their word etched on.

This exercise was simple, but so meaningful. A new connection now exists between the associates at Leigh Acres Health and Rehabilitation Center that would have ceased to exist before.

Karole was inspired to do this exercise after having possessed a pocket stone of her own labeled “healing”, given to her while she was going through some difficult times relating to her health. She held onto her stone for more than 10 years before sending it off to a previous resident of her facility who she says needed it more than she did.

The love and compassion Karole has for her residents and her colleagues is truly inspiring and admirable. We are so lucky to have all of the staff and residents at Lehigh Acres a part of our Greystone family!