Imagine waking up each morning and making a conscious decision that the day will be perfect no matter what happens. Imagine the energy and the great attitude that you will have throughout the day. Our whole being lights up when we choose to be positive. You will notice how things work better and how people have a better attitude with you.
I am pretty sure you have heard the saying that it is not the situation we face but our attitudes while going through the situation that matters. Yes, things are looking rough, the economy appears to be down, gas prices are to the sky, and there are a host of things that can be listed that are not great. How come some people always have a smile no matter what is going on in their lives or in their environment? They choose joy.
I choose joy. We sing a song in church that says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Let us be grateful for waking up to see another day. Let us be grateful for all the wonderful things and people that we have in our lives. No matter how bad, you think things are, there is always someone who may be having a worse experience.
Let’s choose joy today and every day. Notice how things appear different in your life just because you choose joy. Notice how different you feel and the increased energy that you have because choosing joy increase your adrenaline. Take a break from the status quo and live joyously.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Keys to Living a Balanced Life as a Caregiver - Part 4
Make lists and make priorities. A daily or even weekly list of tasks that needs to be done can help to keep you on track. It may serve as a tool to make feel more in control. By prioritizing your list, you can better determine what you need to do and when it needs to get done. This can keep you on track and can take some of the stress from the caregiving process.
Stay in touch. Be sure that you stay in touch with friends and keep your outside interests. Whether you enjoy having coffee with your friends once a week or you enjoy attending a craft class, these activities can be very important to keep. They will give you the opportunity to refresh your mind and get away from the stress for a little while. This is also a great way to prevent burning out.
Being a caregiver is a very fulfilling; however, it is not an easy job. Some people find that they quickly burn out simply because they do not take the time or effort to care for themselves. This is to the detriment of the people that they are caring for, because they quickly become tired and burnt out. If a caregiver can find a balance between taking care of their own life and that of the person that they are caring for, then they will be able to care for their family member with love and compassion.
So, use these keys as an example of some of the ways to live a balanced life as a caregiver. You may find that you create your own way of introducing balance to your life. As your mind become open to the idea of living balanced, you will start finding new ways to do so. Start creating your new life today.
Stay in touch. Be sure that you stay in touch with friends and keep your outside interests. Whether you enjoy having coffee with your friends once a week or you enjoy attending a craft class, these activities can be very important to keep. They will give you the opportunity to refresh your mind and get away from the stress for a little while. This is also a great way to prevent burning out.
Being a caregiver is a very fulfilling; however, it is not an easy job. Some people find that they quickly burn out simply because they do not take the time or effort to care for themselves. This is to the detriment of the people that they are caring for, because they quickly become tired and burnt out. If a caregiver can find a balance between taking care of their own life and that of the person that they are caring for, then they will be able to care for their family member with love and compassion.
So, use these keys as an example of some of the ways to live a balanced life as a caregiver. You may find that you create your own way of introducing balance to your life. As your mind become open to the idea of living balanced, you will start finding new ways to do so. Start creating your new life today.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Keys to Living a Balanced Life as a Caregiver - Part 3
Look for a support group for caregivers. This is a great way for you to get support and information about caregiving. It can help to diffuse the stress and emotions of the entire process. A specialized group for the type of caregiving that you are doing (whether for an Alzheimer’s patient, cancer patient, etc.) can give you inside information about being the type of caregiver that you want to be. A general caregivers’ support group can also be a place of comfort and a reassurance that you are not alone. You may also seek the help of a Caregiver Coach to support you in living balanced.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Keys to Living a Balanced Life as a Caregiver - Part 2
Take care of your personal needs. Make sure that you eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get enough rest. Ask your physician if a multi-vitamin is something that you should consider. Taking care of yourself physically will help you to have the energy to take care of your family member or friend.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Connecting with Friends
It is good to make time for friends and family. Last week I had the good fortune to hang with one of my friends. We haven't done this in a year. Yes, we email and talk on the phone. However, there is nothing like having that face to face interaction. I am encouraging you and myself to take a little time to be with friends. We cannot be too busy to reach out and touch some one. Studies show that being connected makes you healthier in mind and spirit.
Why dont you call someone you have not seen in a while and plan a time out.
Why dont you call someone you have not seen in a while and plan a time out.
Keys to Living a Balanced Life as a Caregiver - Part 1
A caregiver is someone who takes care of the needs of a spouse, parent, child, or other family member who is ill or not able to take care of themselves. Taking care of your self is just as important as taking care of your friend or family member. There are five things that you need to remember and to do in order to have a balance between taking care of your friend or family member and yourself.
Take time off. Everyone needs a break from the responsibility and stress of caring for someone else. Be sure that you have someone who can give you respite care in taking care of your friend or family member. This can be another family member or a respite care service. Taking this time will enable you to recuperate and rest without having to worry about the responsibility. This can help to decrease your stress level and keep you from burning out.
Take time off. Everyone needs a break from the responsibility and stress of caring for someone else. Be sure that you have someone who can give you respite care in taking care of your friend or family member. This can be another family member or a respite care service. Taking this time will enable you to recuperate and rest without having to worry about the responsibility. This can help to decrease your stress level and keep you from burning out.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Develop Your Intuition
A few days ago I was with my brother and an incident occurred. He said to me, “You must start seeing and stop looking,” while pointing to the center of his forehead. My immediate response was, “whatever.” However, I could not get that thought out of my head. So I started going over my life to check whether I am going through life looking or seeing. I found out that I needed to spend more time seeing. I figure, not many people pay attention to this tiny detail that makes all the difference in the world. So I decided to write this article with the intention of expanding your awareness to this issue. You don’t have to agree with me. This is just food for thought that may help you to enrich your life.
On the surface, it seems as if both words, seeing and looking, means the same thing. Some people may argue that looking at something means that you are seeing it. In a sense they are correct. On the other hand, that may not be true. Think about it. How many times have you searched for something and not find it when you are looking right at it.
It is said, and I believe, that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I heard a lady yesterday saying that she can tell by someone’s eyes that they are a walking dead because the eyes look empty. The eyes are not showing any light. One could debate that that person is looking and not seeing. Looking is having your eyes fixed on an object. Seeing could be described as noticing every detail about that object, both surface and implied.
Seeing involves using your sixth sense or intuition; some people say your third eye. Whatever term you use, it means going beyond your immediate observation or lack thereof. It means paying more attention to everything and every situation. I am sure you have heard the saying, “read between the lines.” Well, that is the essence of what I am talking about.
How many times have we let an opportunity pass us by because we failed to see it in front of us? The answer is too many to count. We miss the trees because of the forest or vice versa. We love to say, “20-20 hindsight is great.” Guess what, we are built with the ability to see during the fact if only we take the time to do so. That means using our intuition more and being in expanded awareness as second nature.
So, take time out to develop your inner knowing and begin to see things below the surface. The more you practice doing so, the better you will be at utilizing your skill. Remember you were born with it, use it or lose it. As time goes by you will notice that it becomes as natural as breathing and your life becomes more enriching.
On the surface, it seems as if both words, seeing and looking, means the same thing. Some people may argue that looking at something means that you are seeing it. In a sense they are correct. On the other hand, that may not be true. Think about it. How many times have you searched for something and not find it when you are looking right at it.
It is said, and I believe, that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I heard a lady yesterday saying that she can tell by someone’s eyes that they are a walking dead because the eyes look empty. The eyes are not showing any light. One could debate that that person is looking and not seeing. Looking is having your eyes fixed on an object. Seeing could be described as noticing every detail about that object, both surface and implied.
Seeing involves using your sixth sense or intuition; some people say your third eye. Whatever term you use, it means going beyond your immediate observation or lack thereof. It means paying more attention to everything and every situation. I am sure you have heard the saying, “read between the lines.” Well, that is the essence of what I am talking about.
How many times have we let an opportunity pass us by because we failed to see it in front of us? The answer is too many to count. We miss the trees because of the forest or vice versa. We love to say, “20-20 hindsight is great.” Guess what, we are built with the ability to see during the fact if only we take the time to do so. That means using our intuition more and being in expanded awareness as second nature.
So, take time out to develop your inner knowing and begin to see things below the surface. The more you practice doing so, the better you will be at utilizing your skill. Remember you were born with it, use it or lose it. As time goes by you will notice that it becomes as natural as breathing and your life becomes more enriching.
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