Living in the moment

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-ups, especially during the Pandemic? Anger flared up, aimed at the heavens - why her? Admitting to being mad at the Man UpstaDirs felt like a betrayal, adding shame to the mix. Fear gripped tight, memories of a friend's battle replayed like a horror flick in my mind.

The early days of finding out about my mom's battle with cancer were a rollercoaster of emotions. The idea of a changed tomorrow had me all shook up. As her one and only, I've been fortunate to have a special connection with her since my 20s. I had to kick those anxious vibes to the curb, seize the day, and wave goodbye to my future frets..

The epic quest to escape my overthinking mind and ditch the crystal ball gazing into the future. A wise spiritual guru dropped a gem that stayed glued in my brain: "Master the art of living in the now." Those words hit home like a comet! It was like a light bulb moment, connecting the dots between ancient wisdom and modern advice. So, why not swap future-fretting for some good old present-moment living?


Flipping back to Matthew 6:34 - As a caregiver, having a rock-solid prayer routine is a non-negotiable. I keep my prayer game strong, backed by a crew of prayer superheroes. Witnessing how God works wonders with my prayers has been mind-blowing. To kick worry to the curb, I had to play mind games, swapping out negative thoughts for God's truth. I ditched the future frets since tomorrow has its own worries. Each time a gloomy thought crept in, I countered it with a heavenly truth. I also dived into activities that linked me with others and kept me rooted in the Word. When new doors opened, I high-fived them, trusting that God was equipping me for some serious self-care magic during my toughest days.

Below, is some information from an article from the American Cancer Society specifically for caregivers of loved ones impacted by cancer. 

“You might find that caregiving enriches your life. You might feel a deep sense of satisfaction, confidence and accomplishment is caring for someone. You may also learn an inner strengths and abilities that you didn’t even know you had, and find a greater sense of purpose for your own life. 

The Caregiving role can open up doors for new friends and relationships too. Through a support group you can get get to know people who had the same kinds of problems

Caregiving can also draw families together and help people feel closer to the person who needs care. 

Caregiving is also be hard at times. Caregivers may feel down over their loved ones’s illness and may also feel overwhelmed as they try to manage difficult problems.

Caregivers can develop physical symptoms like being tired and having trouble sleeping. It is important for you to be aware of your body’s need and take care of yourself. Reach out to other family members and friends for help as needed.

Caring for someone with cancer can be demanding, but being good at it can give you a sense of pride. These good feelings can help provide strength and endurance to continue the role as long as needed. 

“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know was possible” 

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