Sheila Keene-Lund stands as a beacon of inspiration in non-fiction and spiritual writing. Her works have consistently provided comfort and insight to many seeking guidanceSheila Keene-Lund stands as a beacon of inspiration in non-fiction and spiritual writing. Her works have consistently provided comfort and insight to many seeking guidance and spiritual understanding.
Sheila was born to an English father and a Puerto Rican mother in Vigo, Spain the third of four sisters. Her family lived in Cuba, England, and Puerto Rico before moving to the Eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia, where she attended a Convent School, grew up and eventually married and had three sons.
In Puerto Rico, at the age of seven, Sheila had her first near-death experience. When she was twelve, she experienced another, and it started her on a life-long yearning to understand the process of dying examined from a spiritual perspective. When Christian teachers tried to discourage her, Sheila knew intuitively that whatever doctrine they exposed would most likely be incomplete and leave her unsatisfied.
In her early thirties, she began to question the traditional understanding of God. She studied many diverse branches of religions, but none seemed to provide a comprehensive and consistent philosophy of the relation between spirit and matter. The next ten years were a roller-coaster of emotions, intellectual challenges, and inner conflicts that had Sheila deliberately working on her inner and outer “worlds.”
A series of pivotal questions eventually led to The Urantia Book, a book purported to be the latest revelation for humankind. As she critically reconciled her beliefs with the teachings in this tome, Sheila realized that the openness to expand Truth is not about letting go of one’s beliefs but rather of allowing a natural transformation of thought to occur through the discovery of higher meanings and values. In the process of reconciliation, a more comprehensive and satisfying philosophy of the universe emerged, generating harmony in mind and satisfying spirit. This journey of reconciliation is documented in her first book Heaven Is Not The Last Stop.
In the past six years, Sheila has embarked on a deeply personal and transformative journey triggered by her husband’s devastating Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This experience thrust her into the complex and often bewildering world of dementia caregiving. As she grappled with the relentless progression of the disease, she witnessed the gradual fading of her beloved partner, a journey marked by sorrow and revelation.
Throughout this challenging period, Sheila discovered a powerful resonance between the ideals she championed in her first book, Heaven Is Not the Last Stop, and the qualities that sustained her amidst her caregiving struggles. These virtues—balance in the face of chaos, motivation amidst uncertainty, and gratitude for every shared moment—became her pillars of strength. As she interacted with fellow caregivers, Sheila recognized a common thread of exhaustion, resentment, and desperation. This observation sparked a realization: the narrative around dementia caregiving needed a paradigm shift, focusing on flourishing, not just surviving.
Understanding that change comes from within; Sheila embraced the philosophy that personal growth and a positive attitude can transform the caregiving experience, even amidst sorrow and uncertainty. This profound insight and her desire to empower others in similar situations led to the creation of The Empowered Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia. In this book, Sheila shares her journey and insights, offering a path for caregivers to find fulfillment and strength in one of life’s most challenging roles. Her message is clear: amidst the trials of dementia caregiving, there lies an opportunity for profound personal growth and empowerment.
Sheila leads classes and workshops on the practical application of the extraordinary principles in the various books she has written, some yet to be published. Sheila now lives in central Florida and enjoys swimming and mountain biking. She has three sons – Guy, Leon, and Erik and four grandchildren – Harley, Emilio, Laylani, and Amelie.
