Tips to Help Caregivers and Others too

[Guest guest]

This list was posted on the Brain Tumor Board ........... and I just

thought it was a great way to remind the caregivers of ways to take

care of themselves ............ remember, this is not a short

sprint, but more of a cross-country race ... so we MUST learn ways

to pace ourselves. This is not just for our own wellbeing, but for

the benefit of the many family members who depend upon our love and

support. Although this is about dealing with bad news and bad times

in general, it has many good tips. Here it is...............

'Don't Lose Hope!'

Eight things you and your family can do to increase hope in uncertain

times. " I've been so overwhelmed by what's going on these days, " a

mother recently said regarding world events. " I feel like there's

nothing I can do and the world's spinning out of control. " Her words

echo the sentiments so many of us feel each time we pick up a paper

or turn on the news. War on the horizon, nuclear weapons in North

Korea, a family of six killed by a fire bomb in Baltimore, the

massacre in Bali-- the list goes on. Right now, it's easy to lose

hope. However, loss of hope doesn't have to be the path we walk down.

You see, hope is actually something we create. It's not something

that magically appears from an outside source. We each have within

us the capacity to generate hope. It's critical that we be absolutely

intentional about nurturing hope in our lives and the lives of our

children. Now more than ever, overcoming fear and holding onto hope

are essential. The eight steps below will enable you do this. Try

these steps yourself and teach them to your kids. Do some of these

as a family. Know that it is within your control to become more

hopeful. Don't let bad news be your undoing. You can take charge.

Here's how:

1. Be kind to yourself. Think about what you need most, and then do

it. Is it a cup of tea, a brisk walk, some downtime, quiet music, a

little rest, or reading inspirational literature? Whatever it is,

grant yourself permission to do it, even for just a few minutes. If

you're at work, take a " care-break " where you take care of you for a

brief moment. These small moments accumulate and transform the

texture of our days.

2. Create a 5-minute silence ritual every day. Light a candle and

pray, meditate or reflect. You don't have to believe in any

particular deity to make this work. Just silently reflecting in

front of a lit candle is extremely nurturing and healing. This may be

the one time of day when you feel connected to your own soul, and

perhaps even something larger. Don't skip this step -- it's very

powerful.

3. Curtail your intake of news. Over saturation with news right now

is detrimental to emotional health. If you read the newspaper in the

morning, let that be enough. You don't need to turn on the TV or

radio too, especially before bed. Consider putting a complete

moratorium on news at least once a week. Anything you

missed will be there tomorrow. Drastically curtail any news you let

your children watch.

4. Treat each day like the precious gift it is. Be vigilant in

looking for things and people to appreciate. What if today was the

last day of your life? How would you want to live it? Ask yourself

this question throughout the day. It will help you let go of the

countless petty annoyances that tend to throw most of us off

balance. Shift your gaze to appreciation. Who and what are you

grateful for? Make a list each day and add to it.

5. Every morning, afternoon and night, take a 30-second break to look

at the sky, breathe deeply and offer thanks. Even though the world

has its problems, the sun still rises in the sky each morning, and

we're awake and alive when we get out of bed. Let the sky be a

touchstone to hope. Think of other people around the world as you

look at the sky, and know that we all share this planet together.

Among all of us, we have the ability to create solutions to the

problems that now exist. Trust that this is so.

6. Express love tangibly. Hugs, words, notes, acts of kindness -- be

indiscriminately generous with all of them. Surprise a friend with a

hug. Hug and kiss your kids longer and with deeper feeling. If you

like how the clerk treated you in the store, thank her. Leave your

partner small notes expressing gratitude for kind acts. Doing all of

this adds warmth and positive energy to our lives and the lives of

people around us. It's also very comforting both to the giver and

receiver of each loving act.

7. Say this affirmation everyday and see where it leads you: " I am

the key to peace. " Most of us believe, erroneously, that peace will

come from people or institutions much larger than we. Just the

opposite is true. Peace starts with each individual and it will only

come to this world from the people themselves. It is critical that

we each create peace in the small and large moments of our lives. We

must live it in our words and actions rather than giving in to fear,

hatred, or resignation.

8. Make a difference. Reach out beyond your normal scope. This is

your opportunity to live your greatest promise, highest self. Don't

wait. Each time we make a difference in the lives of others, we

create hope in ourselves. By reaching out to someone in need, be it

your neighbor, a Guatemalan orphan, or people in a homeless shelter,

we add a little more peace and hope to the world. Our accumulated

gestures of care and compassion will ultimately transform our lives

and the lives of others. We are each the source of that

transformation. Knowing this gives me hope.

[Guest guest]

Great advice

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Great advice

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Great advice

Thanks