Grateful Caregiver

Instead of acting out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, choose humility and consider others more important than yourself.  The Difference between selfishness and selfcare Do you find it difficult to share? Does it bother you when someone asks for something you own, whether it's your belongings or your time? Personally, I must confess that I can be a bit selfish. I prefer not to share my favorite foods. Taking on the role of a caregiver is a transformative experience that shifts your focus away from selfishness. Growing up as an only child meant I never had to share with anyone. But when I got married and started a family, I had to learn to prioritize others before myself. Selflessness is prioritizing others over oneself without expecting anything in return, involving kindness, generosity, and empathy. After children grow up, focusing on personal needs while attending to a spouse's needs is considered acceptable. After my mom fell ill, selfishness gradually faded away. I didn...

When I needed clothes, you cloth me, when I was sick you cared for me.. Matthew 26:36  Have you ever noticed a natural talent within yourself but downplayed it? Perhaps you didn't think it was noteworthy enough to mention because you assumed everyone possessed the same gift. This is called Imposter syndrome which is a psychological experience of self-doubt about one's abilities and accomplishments, despite evidence to the contrary I recently attended a fantastic event that brought together women from diverse backgrounds. It was a special occasion where each woman had the chance to share her story in response to a thought-provoking question.  My question was about your superpower. I chose to reveal something different from what I had in mind..  I chose not to share for two reasons: first, I didn't think it was significant enough, and second, I wanted to manage my emotions. Talking about this gift stirred up strong emotions, and I didn't want to cry. If I was honest , I ...

Let us  not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians  6:9  Dear Caregivers:  Ever feel like you're playing a never-ending game of life Jenga? Balancing being a superhero spouse, grandkid wrangler, full-time work wizard, business boss, and volunteer extraordinaire, all while adding caregiving to the mix? Phew! It's like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle! It's no surprise you hit the exhaustion wall. So, what's the game plan now? As the solo offspring of my mom, we've hit the switcheroo jackpot – I'm now the mom, and she's the kid! It's like a classic tale of kids turning into parents when their own folks need a hand. I gladly take on this new role with a heart full of love. I'm beyond lucky to share a wonderful bond with my mom, and I'm certain that if our roles were reversed, she'd have my back. That's just the kind of amazing mom she is. When my gran...

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trust in him, and he helps me.  Psalm 28:7  Have you ever felt like you're facing a giant task that's just too big to tackle? Maybe you thought you weren't tough enough, smart enough, or sharp enough to handle it. As a kid, my mom and grandma were real-life superheroes. They fearlessly took on any challenge thrown their way. Grandma would scoop up a mouse like it was no big deal and give it a watery send-off in the loo. With that same boldness, she'd stand up to anyone who dared disrespect her. Meanwhile, Mom would single-handedly move hefty furniture around the house, not caring that it weighed a ton. She'd also show those local troublemakers the door when they tried to linger outside her shop. Looks like I come from a long line of unstoppable wonder women I discovered a hidden power within me. After my mom's second hospital stint, I faced the tough choice of moving her to a nursing home for proper care. Despite m...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 Are you a pro at daydreaming about tomorrow instead of soaking up the now? Your inner monologue might sound a bit like this: "Can't wait for retirement, kids to grow up, a fat bank account, birthdays, shedding pounds, holidays, sunny days, job upgrades, a booming business, tying the knot, home sweet home, and the glorious weekend!" Phew, that's a lot of "can't waits" buzzing in your head, stealing the spotlight from the present moment. But then life threw a curveball: Mom got hit with cancer. Suddenly, the future felt scarier than a horror movie marathon. Thoughts of Mom's battle clouded every daydream, casting a shadow on the "can't waits." Cancer's a beast, with no rulebook on who it spares. Some family members beat it, others weren't so lucky. Guilt crept in - why didn't I push for those check-...