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 Dina was away (which happened recently)? Did Jane take the medications set out for her? Dina impresses me with her ability to deal with whatever circumstances she’s confronted. She remains calm and flexible, able to make decisions accordingly.
I want to be more like Dina. I too want to stay calm and flexible in the midst of changing circumstances and unpredictable situations. Perhaps you know someone that exemplifies these qualities too. Or maybe that person is you!
Warmest regards,
Rebecca S. Hauder, RN, LCPC