Database Login Providing Support & Education To Those Who Grieve

Resources For Grief Blog

Welcome to this online journal for caregivers to the dying or bereaved—important and challenging work, for sure! My goal is to support you by providing inspirational thoughts, pertinent resources, and suggestions for self-care. With appreciation for all you do!

- Rebecca Hauder

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Strive for Balance in the New Year

January 15, 2024

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity,

but of balance and order, and rhythm and harmony."

 ~Thomas Merton

 

When we visited Nova Scotia a few years ago, my husband and I discovered a small hidden beach on Cape Breton Island filled with hundreds of cairns—human-made piles of balanced rocks. Whether done as a memorial, a form of meditation, or to mark a trail, creating a cairn takes patience.

 

Since returning from that trip, my husband has strategically placed several cairns around our front yard, serving as a reminder to the unique sight we experienced, and symbolizing the beauty of a life in balance. They serve as my cue card when I start to feel off-kilter, which tends to happen when I’ve given too much time to my business, volunteer involvements, and social engagements, and not enough time to activities that help me feel stable and grounded. Cooking nutritious meals, exercising on most days, getting a good night’s sleep, attending weekly religious services, and spending quality time with family and friends helps me keep my life in balance. Yes, I manage for short periods with these priorities on the back burner, but when it goes on too long, I get irritable and anxious. Like me, the cairns in our front yard lose their balance sometimes too when the wind or deer...

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Face the Pain; Find Lasting Joy

July 25, 2023

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness, will we discover the infinite power of light.  ~Brene Brown

 

An acquaintance of mine died after years of drinking. She had gradually cut herself off from friends and family becoming more and more reclusive. I learned later that she had never unraveled and dealt with the pain of sexual abuse she had suffered as a child.

 

Facing dark and painful emotions is never easy! There are a variety of ways we hold those emotions at bay including substance abuse, withdrawal from...

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Keep Health Boundaries

May 24, 2023

Keep Healthy Boundaries

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.”  

~Brene Brown

 

Janet’s mother had Alzheimer’s and was eventually placed in a memory care facility. Feeling guilty she could no longer keep her mother at home, Janet visited every day after work, often eating dinner with her. Janet’s husband complained of feeling slighted, to no avail. Their marriage grew strained.

 

Maria, a home health aide, sometimes visited her client Bob outside of regular work hours to bring him homemade goodies. When Maria went out of town for a week, and another aide showed up at the house,...

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Practice Patience

March 31, 2023

"Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is timing!

Patience waits on the right time to act, the right principles and in the right way!    ~Fulton J Sheen, former Catholic Bishop

Practice Patience

 

During a recent walk on the beach next to an estuary, I spotted a Great Blue Heron. I sat down close by, surprised that my presence didn’t cause it to stir or fly away as it patiently surveyed the...

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Train Yourself To Be In Awe

February 26, 2023

Train Yourself to be in awe of the subtle, and you will live in a world of beauty and ease.  ~Rodney Yee

Once in a huge while, a Pileated woodpecker visits our backyard suet feeder. As one of the most striking forest birds on the continent, I’m always filled with awe when I unexpectedly see this large black bird, with white stripes down its neck and a flaming-red crest. For a time, my spirit is calmed and my attention is diverted from whatever I might have been thinking or doing. 

 

In his newly published book...

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Practice Moderation During the Holidays

November 23, 2022

Moderation, Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything.

These are the secrets of happiness and good health.

~Julia Child

 

It's that time of year again when my dietary intake tends to expand to include foods I'm not generally accustomed to eating. After all, eating and drinking with friends and coworkers is one of the season's most enjoyable rituals.

 

I offer a few suggestions* to keep in mind as we approach our eating and drinking this season:

 

1) Be aware of everything we put in our mouths, including alcohol. We know the science—high carb foods fills us up fast, but when the blood sugar crashes a while later, we feel fatigued, irritable, and...

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Manage Your Anticipatory Grief

September 30, 2022

Peace is accepting today releasing yesterday and giving up control of tomorrow.

~Lori Deschene 

 

The Grief Support groups I've led were always open to anyone who had lost a loved one...

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Find Ways to Build a Good Day Even in the Midst of Despair

July 28, 2022

Look at the Birds of the Air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Supreme Creator feeds them. 

~Jesus of Nazareth

 

A nurse practitioner friend recently confided that she was battling a case of the blahs,...

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Don't Be So Hard On Yourself!

June 10, 2022

People are like stained-glass windows.

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in,

their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. 

~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

 

The cliché, “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” is irritating because of its overuse, but nonetheless, I think it’s a good piece of advice. A recent NYT...

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Don't Forget To Say Goodbye

May 16, 2022

If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello." ~Paulo Coehlo

 

Last Saturday I attended a graveside service memorial for two family members. At the service, which had been delayed due to Covid, I recognized Maria who was a caregiver in the nursing home where my family members had lived. I thanked Maria for coming and she replied, “Of course, Ralph and Shirley were like family to me. I needed to be here.”

 

The simple but beautiful graveside service was a ritual that...

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Make Self-Care a Part-Time Job

April 18, 2022

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”  ~Eleanor Brownn

 

According to a recent "Stress in America" survey by The American Psychological Association, many of us suffer from unhealthy habits developed during COVID. The second anniversary of the pandemic has just passed, but it seems other stressors are now paramount: the war in Ukraine, global uncertainty, and price increases everywhere. Plus, giving care to others can easily intensify the stress.

How do you cope with these pressures? The survey mentioned above goes on to say that most people have been dealing with the increased stress by consuming more food, drinking more alcohol, and exercising less due to a lack of motivation. While these behaviors may be satisfying in the short run, they have mental and physical health consequences in...

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Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

March 18, 2022

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding..." ~Proverbs 3:5 *

A degree of mystery always accompanies our care for others. For example, it’s tough, if not impossible, to understand the timing of death, and the rationale—if there is any—for pain and suffering. We may question why it’s him or her who is ill or incapacitated, and why some die so young. In the case of disasters or war, we wonder why it's happened to them and not us.

 Eventually, and perhaps fortunately, the repetitive “why” questions surrounding seemingly unjust or unfair situations tend to fade into the background as energies shift to finding a way forward and making the necessary adjustments. The good news from the writer of Proverbs is that we have trusted guides for the journey ahead —wherever it may lead. This too is a...

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Own Your Fears

February 18, 2022

Fears keep us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones. ― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm

 I just finished reading a guest essay by Amanda Gorman in the New York Times: “Why I Almost Didn’t Read My Poem at the Inauguration.” She feared failing her people, contracting Covid, and of being highly visible which, she...

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Look Back to 2021 with Gratitude

January 27, 2022

We bless this year for all we learned, for all we loved and lost.  ~John O’Donohue

We’re nearly one month into 2022 and we're still dealing with "the virus" and all that goes with it, including controversies related to vaccines and masks, a shortage of staff, angry clients, frustrated caregivers, and tele-health appointments in place of in-person visits. My hopes for a fresh start in 2022 were budding, but it looks like we might have many of the same challenges as last year and the year before that.

 I took this photo of a rusty can nestled among new spring growth last April. The image reminds me that there is always plenty to be grateful for—including all we've learned, loved and lost— even in the midst of difficult times. So, as we enter a new year, let’s not forget to look back and recall the small and big gifts of 2021. Whether it was your vaccination, special times with family and friends, a fun pet, a mini vacation, a new opportunity, or regular walks in the park, let's remember to be thankful for what has...

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Reduce Emotional Stress with this Simple Exercise

November 22, 2021

Click on this link to view my most recent self-care tip blog!...

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Prepare Ahead for Hostile Encounters in the Workplace

October 10, 2021

When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is. ~Unknown

Front-line health care workers are increasingly becoming the targets of animosity from patients and families, often related to COVID treatment protocols.* Caregivers who take the brunt of patient or family hostility are prime candidates for chronic stress, exhaustion, and vocational burnout. 

 One key to managing hostile encounters in...

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Check in With Yourself

September 8, 2021

“Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.” ~Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

Are you feeling torn between your sense of duty to care for patients and the need to take care of yourself? The COVID pandemic has made jobs in the healthcare field more demanding and emotionally draining than ever before, leaving many stretched thin and on the verge of burnout. A 40 year-old wife and mom I spoke with recently said, “I was exhausted from caring for double...

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Weigh Your Options When The Going Gets Tough

April 20, 2021

“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn.” ~David Russell
 
My husband and I take regular walks. One of our routes involves a creek crossing over a precarious bridge (see photo above). Inevitably I hesitate, fret, pause, and complain before crossing. More sure of his balance, my husband crosses, and then encourages me to do the same, often coming back to offer assistance.
 
This rickety, forked bridge serves as a good metaphor for negotiating challenging relationships, especially when caring for others. Caregiving is rewarding, but it isn’t always easy! Even when giving our best, we sometimes fall...

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Honor the Lives of Your Departed Loved Ones

March 18, 2021

Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything. ~C.S. Lewis

 March 11 marked the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus outbreak being declared a pandemic. Since then, one in three Americans has lost a family member or friend to the virus leaving an incredible number of surviving family and friends adjusting to a new and painful reality. My family too has been impacted, having lost a beloved sister-in-law and aunt.

Speaking from personal experience, as well as many years counseling the bereaved, I know we heal and adjust best to a loved one's death when we find meaningful ways...

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Be the Light

February 15, 2021

Be the Light

 As a child I loved singing This Little Light of Mine. The hand motions along with the naming of a person or situation for the light to “shine it all over” made it particularly relatable and fun. Some have labeled it an American Anthem because it’s uplifting and celebratory, with the potential to transform lives. I liken it to a prayer.

 In the midst of a pandemic with countless hospitalizations and deaths, along with the political upheaval in our...

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Pay Attention to the Little Things

January 1, 2021

It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ~ A. Conan Doyle

When I am at the coast, I enjoy daily brisk walks on the beach as I listen to the rolling waves, breath in the fresh moist air, and watch the seagulls hovering over the water. Morning walks are “big picture” experiences compared to my afternoon leisurely strolls when I experience the minutiae—“the little things”—like looking for sea glass. Both outings feed my spirit in a different way.

 When we’re caregiving others, we need to consider the big picture health concerns of the one for whom we’re giving care. However, it’s most often the little things we do that matter most, like initiating a conversation—even if it’s about the weather; showing appreciation whenever you can, and providing relief for tiny annoyances—like putting the TV remote in easy reach, finding a misplaced item,...

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Find the Beauty in Life's Imperfections

December 19, 2020

I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect--they are much more interesting. ~Marc Jacobs

 Being happy does not mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections. ~Gerard Way

A couple of weeks ago, as I was driving my 8 year-old granddaughter back to her home, she excitedly pointed out a distressed, older pickup sitting on the side of the road, a wreath...

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Grieve the Losses that Accompany the Pandemic

October 29, 2020

"There are three needs of the griever: To find the words for the loss, to say the words aloud and to know that the words have been heard."  ~Victoria Alexander

 The changes that have come with Covid-19 have hit many of us hard, not only because of the routines, connections, or loved ones we’ve lost, but also because of what we anticipate losing, like a long-planned trip, a wedding, or an upcoming...

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Accept Your Imperfections

August 30, 2020

There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. ~Leonard Cohen

Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it. ~Salvador Dali

__________________________________________________________________

Navigating the do’s and don’ts during this COVID pandemic is challenging! The other day a neighbor introduced me to her friend who then reached out to shake my hand. Without thinking twice I shook hers. Then I caught myself. “Oops I exclaimed, we aren’t supposed to do that.” We both sheepishly smiled.

As a caregiver, you’ve likely said “oops” to yourself at one time or another when forgetting to adhere to some specific safety protocol, of which there are many these days! While some blunders may implicate your health or someone else’s and need to be reported, most aren’t that serious. In either case, let us allow our mistakes and missteps to serve as a wake-up call to improve ourselves and do things differently next time. And, instead of getting discouraged, may we accept our gaffes as...

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Create Moments for Play, Laughter and Joy

July 27, 2020

The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy.
~ Proverb

Creating moments for play, laughter, and joy is vital, especially in the midst of a pandemic and caregiving responsibilities! So go out and get dirty in your garden,...

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Consider Giving a Form of Self-Care

June 2, 2020

For it is in giving that we receive. — Saint Francis of Assisi

Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping, because giving gives you purpose. When you have a purpose-driven life, you’re a happier person — Goldie Hawn

Recently I tuned into an online panel of helping professionals discussing the impact of COVID-19 on grief and bereavement*. One of the panelists asked another what she is doing to take care of herself while being stretched thin between family concerns and professional responsibilities. After a brief and poignant pause, she responded that, for her, a big part of self-care is living...

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Seek and You Will Find

May 9, 2020

"Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."   Matthew 7:7, NT

 Some things in life take a little extra effort and creativity to gain a benefit or a reward. Take, for example, the spotting a Great Horned Owl who lives in a wooded area near our home. Most of the time he remains elusive, especially to me, but my husband has learned some secrets for consistently sighting the owl. To see the...

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Offer Stones of Hope

April 20, 2020

“With faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain top of despair, a stone of hope.” ~Martin Luther King

 This is a difficult and anxiety-producing time for many of you. If you’re a caregiver, you are likely stretched thin between family concerns and professional responsibilities, but no doubt, you are doing the best you can under the circumstances.

Some of you are supporting family members who are grieving the impending or recent death of a loved one—their grief complicated by not being physically with their dying loved one. To make matters worse, they have lost a “beating heart connection” (that is, a physical connection) with family and...

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A Prayer for Peace in the Midst of Difficult Times

March 20, 2020

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no trouble, noise, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." ~Unknown

For myself, in this time of anxiety and uncertainty,

I seek the Spirit’s peace.

For the most vulnerable among us,

I seek the Spirit’s peace.

For caregivers and health care workers at risk,

I seek the Spirit’s peace. 

For those lacking income to pay the bills,

I seek the Spirit’s peace.

For those isolated...

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Choose to Forgive

March 5, 2020

 Forgiveness isn’t something we do for others, we do it so we can get well and move on.” ~Anonymous

 There is no peace without forgiveness ~Marianne Williamson

“My dad was never there for me...

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Keep the Faith

January 8, 2020

“Sometimes life is going to hit you in the head like a brick. Don’t lose faith.” ~Steve Jobs

 “Faith is being confident of what we hope for, and assurance of what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1

 2019 was a tough year for me with new health issues to manage, a major surgery, and, in December,...

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Commemorate the Caregivers in Your Midst

November 7, 2019

It’s not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing”—Mother Teresa

 Less...

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Practice Patience

September 25, 2019

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you’re waiting.” ~Joyce Meyer

 As a caregiver, most likely one responsibility you have is relating to doctors offices, hospitals, and insurance companies on behalf of your patient or loved one. This part of your role is often emotionally taxing.

Recently, I sat on hold, for what seemed like 30 minutes, after dialing a doctor’s office listening to canned music, interrupted by a reminder that someone would be with me shortly; that calls were answered in the order they were received. Eventually, when my call was answered, I was asked my name, birthdate, and the reason for my call. When I asked to speak to my doctor’s nurse, I was told that “The nurse is was with a patient and will need to call you back.” “Any idea when that that will be?” I asked. “No, it just...

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Go to Your Happy Place

July 2, 2019

When you leave a beautiful place, you carry it with you wherever you go.     ~Alexandra Stoddard

Two months ago I had a cortisone injection in my knee. Before inserting the long needle, Dr. K.told me to go to my “happy place.” My mind flitted from the seashore to the mountains, not landing on any one particular scene as he injected the medication into my injured knee.

Riding bicycle on Washington’s Lopez Island a few weeks later, I rediscovered what used to be my go to “happy place.” However, I had forgotten all about...

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Be Flexible

May 28, 2019

 Let us remain soft and supple

like the branches of a sapling.

Whatever storms may come,

our spirit stays flexible,

not attached to outcome,

nor uprooted by the gales.

 Rooted but not rigid,

we can move naturally in the winds of change,

bending but never broken.

Adapted from The Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching, (2013) by William and Nancy Martin

I've learned to know Dina over the last several years. She is a part-time caregiver to Jane, a friend of mine. She assists Jane 8 hours a day, and then goes home in the evening. Jane's situation and needs are always changing, and Dina never knows from one day to another what she will find when she arrives at Jane's home. Will she have had a good nights sleep or not? Will she find Jane on the floor because of a fall while...

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Practice Kindness

April 15, 2019

A reader of my blog emailed me about a memorial service she attended recently that made a positive impact. She said five caregivers to the person who died were also present and spoke at the reception following the service:

“The caregivers were not comfortable using a microphone, and were a...

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Use Grief Rituals to Help Sustain You

March 13, 2019

In my previous Tip of the Month, I addressed the topic of caregiver grief, and offered a few suggestions for coping, including the use of rituals. Now I’d like to expand a bit on the topic of rituals and ask for your input. 

What are grief rituals? They are symbolic actions providing meaning and comfort after a death, and a means to release the varied emotions of grief. Grief rituals can be personal such as writing...

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Grieve Often and Grieve Well

February 8, 2019

“We burnout not because we don’t care, but because we don’t grieve..because we have allowed our hearts to become so filled with loss that we have no room left to care.  ~Rachel Remen, MD (Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal)

We expect to feel grief when a loved one dies, but when someone we are caring for...

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Strive for Balance in the New Year

January 9, 2019

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.”  ~Thomas Merton

When I visited Nova Scotia this fall, I discovered a small hidden beach filled with hundreds of cairns—human made piles of rocks or stones balanced on top of one another in various positions. Whether done as a form of meditation or as a hobby, stacking rocks takes patience and a knack for knowing the individual rocks—so I’ve been told. 

 I plan to put a photo of these beautiful and unique cairns on my desk in the new year to symbolize the beauty of a life in balance and to serve as my cue card when I feel off-kilter. This generally happens when I’ve given too much time to my business, volunteer involvements, and social engagements, and not enough time to activities that help me feel stable and grounded. These include fixing nutritious meals, exercising most days—out in nature when possible, sleeping 7-8 hours at night, reading every day for inspiration, attending weekly religious services, and spending quality time with family and friends. Yes, I can manage for short periods with these priorities on the back burner, but when it goes on for too...

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Nurture Your Memories and Relationships this Holiday Season

December 3, 2018

"To live in the hearts we live behind is not to die."  ~Thomas Campbell

My friend, Nancy, and I walked on the “greenbelt” along the river today. I asked her to show me the bench the park's department had recently erected in honor of her son who died a year ago. The bench, holding a plaque with his name and the words "Forever Loved" provides a place for Nancy and others to sit, reflect, remember and grieve.

We talked about the importance of symbols and ritual and how helpful the park bench has been to her grief journey. We also talked about the...

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Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude

November 12, 2018

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you,'
that would suffice."  ~
Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is an appropriate topic as we approach Thanksgiving in the U.S. And, actually, it's a relevant topic anytime! Noticing, then acknowledging, the things we appreciate in others, in ourselves, and in our day-to day living is a great antidote to unhappiness and depression! And study after study proves the physical health benefits as well, including an improved ability to fight off infection!

A powerful way to nurture a grateful heart is to write down five big or little joys at the end of each day. Your list might include a hot shower, a lunchtime walk, a meaningful encounter, a compliment received, or your own handling of a difficult situation. To demonstrate your gratefulness to others, particularly those who assist and support you, regularly acknowledge their positive qualities. And don't overlook the person(s) for whom you're giving care; they too need...

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Don't Compare Yourself to Others

October 7, 2018

Comparison is the thief of joy.  ~Theodore Roosevelt

 As a caregiver, do you ever compare yourself and your situation to others? Social media, in particular, can make it seem like everyone else has a life better than you. Then envy and resentment creep in, robbing you of living in the moment and appreciating what you have.

 There is no doubt that the caregiving role can be demanding, with the rewards often coming in small increments. But, those rewards, joys, and unexpected opportunities are there to be found, if and when you take notice. For example, ask yourself, what wisdom and insight have...

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Use Imagery in Tense Situations

September 11, 2018

“Change your mental imagery, and the feelings will take care of themselves.”  ~Maxwell Maltz

Have you ever taken care of someone whose emotional intensity caused you to feel anxious? Not knowing what to say or do, you might secretly have wished you could escape the situation somehow! Yet, you realized the other person needed you to be there with them. Maybe they were distraught about their declining health, upset with their physician or family member, or weeping uncontrollably because of a loss.

In situations like these, I sometimes use imagery to help create the emotional distance I need. Then I am more likely to stay calm and emotionally present with the other. Here are a couple of imagery exercises you...

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Reminisce about Happy Memories!

August 14, 2018

 "Memories are a key not to the past, but to the future."  ~Corrie ten Boom

As I was looking through an old photo...

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Keep in Mind, It's Not All About You!

June 6, 2018

"We often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive...and sometimes taking things too personally."  ~Dalai Lama

My dear friend has been flying back...

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Petition a Higher Power

May 6, 2018

"Prayer begins where human capacity ends."    ~Marian Anderson

Last month I shared about the importance of keeping some emotional space between yourself and those to whom you provide care. I suggested talking with a trusted friend or counselor if you're bringing a patient's problems home with you. This month I'm offering another approach for creating some emotional space when concern for the other weighs heavy on your mind and your capacity to deal with it is dwindling. That is, try giving that person and situation over to a higher power through prayer or meditation.

 A simple prayer or mantra I often use, while modifying the words to fit...

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Create Some Distance

April 3, 2018

A recent post by Washington Post's advice columnist, Carolyn Hax, grabbed my attention. In her column titled, How to witness suffering, yet avoid emotional burnout, Hax states that "None of us can afford to live and die by others' suffering, nor are we built for it." She suggests that while it's normal to feel sympathy for another's pain, it is not wise to dwell on it. Rather we should "get on with something joyous or even just ordinary..."

While on the surface her words may sound callous, in practice, we caregivers are most effective when we create some emotional distance between ourselves and those experiencing distress. Yet, there are times when another person's suffering...

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Try a Foot Soak to Quiet Body and Mind

February 17, 2018

Penny Gillett, Social Worker at Capital City Hospice in Columbus, Ohio shares with us her favorite self-care practice:  "I take time for a foot soak on Friday evenings.  I set up my family room...

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Draw on a Higher Power

January 17, 2018

Carmella M. Dow, MSW, Bereavement Coordinator at Concord Regional VNA in Concord, NH recently sent me a self-care practice that sustains her as a caregiver. She wrote, "I could not do the kind of work that I do without the source of my...

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Carry Your Burdens Wisely

December 27, 2017

As we near the end of 2017, you may be looking back on it as a year...

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Look Toward the Sun

November 17, 2017

The following Self-Care Tip was submitted by Rachel Nafziger Hartzler, of Goshen, IN. Rachel is a Pastoral Care Volunteer:  A favorite practice of mine is sitting in the sun. As often as possible, I schedule into...

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Accept Your Vulnerabilities

October 13, 2017

"When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable.
But to grow up is to accept vulnerability...To be alive is to be vulnerable." ~Madeleine L'Engle
 
"You are amazing!" and "I could never do what you do!" is the admiring feedback caregivers often receive. Yet, in spite of the accolades of others and the important and gratifying nature of our work, we caregivers aren't superhumans!  We have challenges and problems like everyone else that can threaten our ability to provide care.   
 ...

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Own Your Feelings

September 13, 2017

"What we resist persists~C.G. Jung 
 
Intense and conflicting emotions go hand-in-hand with caregiving.  But what to do with these feelings? Most importantly, we should notice and accept them without self-criticism. Feelings are what they are; they're not good or bad, right or wrong. And, when feelings are "owned," we're less apt to act on them in hurtful ways or expend precious energy denying their existence, often through overeating, overworking, overspending or misusing drugs and alcohol.

Which of the following emotions have a familiar ring to you?  
­~Anxiety/Fear: The future is unknown for me, and the one...

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Ask for Help!

August 6, 2017

"It's not the load that breaks you down; it's the way you carry it."  ~Lena Horne

 

A fellow parishioner called recently to ask if I would bring a meal to him and his wife. Knowing his wife was suffering the effects of chemotherapy had prompted me to make offers previously, but he had always declined help, until the day he courageously reached out. I was pleased he called, as preparing a meal was a tangible way to assist.

 

Asking for and accepting help is difficult! Who likes to be dependent on others, especially if there's a chance they won't do things our way or according to our standards and timetable? But thinking we can or must do it all ourselves is a counterproductive trap, one that most of us have fallen victim to at one time or another. The reality is, we will achieve more than we ever could on our own...

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Discover the Power of Two Questions

June 1, 2017

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for. . ."  ~Harper Lee


As caregiver to his wife with advanced M.S., my client felt isolated, exhausted, and emotionally drained. Furthermore, the relentless demands of caregiving made it difficult for him to stand back, reflect, and gain perspective on the situation. He needed a caregiver for himself! I suggested he try a daily Examen practice, hoping to encourage daily self-awareness and counter his difficult and negative emotions.

Examen is a two-question process taking just five minutes, but with many longer-lasting benefits. And, it's good for anyone, not just caregivers! Credited to St. Ignatius, Examen is a way to reflect on the positive and  negative aspects of each day. It requires setting aside a ...

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Create Rituals in Times of Loss

May 9, 2017

Rituals keep us from forgetting what must not be forgotten and keep us rooted in a past from which we must not be disconnected. ~Tony Compolo


Several weeks ago I took my mom's cremated remains back to her roots in Southeast Iowa to be buried alongside my...

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Acknowledge the Sacred

March 14, 2017

       "As you engage in the simple acts of care, you may begin to witness signs that the Divine is in your midst.” ~Rev. James E. Miller

With a degree of trepidation, I headed out of the hospice office parking lot to visit Joe. His edgy and prickly demeanor on my two previous visits made me cautious with my words. I tried to be attentive and respectful, but truth be told, I stayed as short a time as possible—just long enough to accomplish my nursing tasks—before making an exit.

Future visits to Joe fortunately softened my attitude, particularly as I saw glimpses of the fearful vulnerable person beneath the prickly facade. I considered how tough it would it be to have a life full of plans and expectations suddenly go awry because of an out-of-the-blue stage-four cancer diagnosis; then three months later to be receiving care from a complete stranger! Putting myself in his shoes helped me empathize and listen more intently to the feelings behind his words. He, in turn, became more open about his fear of losing control. A sacred space seemed to envelop both of us in those...

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Consider Self-Care a Part-Time Job!

February 1, 2017

It's winter as I write this, and the weather has been downright depressing. Six weeks of little to no sunshine has had a cumulative effect on my spirit. Exercise has been a chore, and I've had little motivation to lose the extra pounds I gained over the holidays.
 
Into this stupor of self-neglect, I attended a noon seminar on the topic of healthy aging. Not surprisingly, I learned that the same tactics known to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases--a healthy diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise, spiritual practices, and fostering friendships--are also the keys to healthy aging. What else is new? I thought. But when, near the...

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Strive for Balance, Especially Over the Holidays!

December 19, 2016

In yoga class, I often find the one-legged balancing poses the most challenging. Along with finding my center of gravity, I am required to stay alert and focused while also remembering to breathe. Some days my mind is cluttered with worries and "to do's"--not uncommon for a caregiver and particularly over the holidays--causing me to wobble and lose my balance. Other times, when muscles, bones, thoughts, and emotions are more aligned, I maintain the pose with relative ease.

 



Balancing the daily routines and rituals of life is much like practicing yoga. A sense of harmony prevails when I stay focused on priorities, like eating regular nutritious meals (and not overindulging on alcohol or sweets), making time for regular exercise, and connecting with friends who nurture my spirit. But I feel "off"--even irritable and sulky--when, for too many days in a ...

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Seize Opportunities the Holidays Bring

November 9, 2016

Below is a copy of a Self-Care Tip I posted two years ago this month. I thought it appropriate to resend in advance of the holidays. And, I think it has particular relevance if tensions have developed with family, friends, or co-workers as a result of this divisive election!

holidaypic.jpg
 
Greetings,

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and a month later we'll be celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas. Holidays, while enjoyable for some, create a great deal of stress for others. Those individuals and families impacted by life-threatening illness or the loss of a loved one often...

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Grieve the Losses

October 16, 2016

" We burnout, not because we don't care, but because we don't grieve. . .because we have allowed our hearts to become so

filled with loss that we have no room left to care."  ~Rachel Remen, MD

 

My 97 year-old Mother died three weeks ago. I had been with her less than 48 hours before she died, and assumed she would still be alive when I visited her in a month. After the initial shock at her sudden passing had worn off, I felt a deep sadness knowing she had been alone when she died. I...

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Make Time for Leisure

August 8, 2016

 
"Life is lived in the pauses, not the events." ~Hugh Prather

Busyness, like cleanliness, is next to godliness, or at least that was my childhood take-away message. But, I also learned that one day each week-the Sabbath-was set aside for morning church services, followed by an afternoon of rest and leisure. Extended naps, reading, and relaxed drives in the country were the norm.
 
Though I frequently attend worship services on Sunday, I seldom set aside the rest of the day for sheer leisure. My distractions are numerous:...

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Be Where You Are

June 21, 2016

                              "As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are.  Otherwise you will miss most of your life." ~ Buddha

When news of the Orlando shootings came across my computer screen, my thoughts raced--to the injured, to the families of those who died, to how this can be happening again, to what the future will be like for my kids and grandkids. My...

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