If you think you must surrender your present joy for the one you are caring for, I say,”don’t do it!” The saddest stories I hear, are from people who have waited for tomorrow to live fully today.

 While reading a book by Maxwell Maltz, I found this paragraph that said, “You could try to live each day as if it’s your last. If you image this to be true, you will shed minor irritations that ordinarily plague you. You will be surprised what a calming effect this thought can bring. You will stop worrying about the many little things that added up, destroying happiness. For your last day on earth, why worry about trivia?”

Then he gives us some tips: live each day to the fullest (Joy’s tip, remembering wonderful memories from the past). Set goals for every day (Joy’s tip, have a plan for the day that include you). Tell yourself that you have the right to be happy (Joy’s tip, do something just for yourself even if it’s a small thing). Set aside time for yourself each day (Joy’s tip, sit on your porch and day dream about a special vacation spot, remember eyes closed!). Accept yourself as you are (Joy’s tip, we all get tired and think we can’t do it…We can! So we are not perfect – so what!)

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will ot be.

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the bgest of everything they have.

“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.”   Anonymous internet quote

Touch of JOY

Coming home from a vacation, I was reminded for the zillionth time, “If you are traveling with small children, put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others.”  This is exactly the message I want all Caregivers to hear loud and clear.  Take care of yourself first!  You must remain strong and healthy in order to take care of another person.  Put on your own oxygen mask by remembering that YOU are the most important person in the experience.  Self Care if your top priority.  Check out the book, Put On Your Oxygen Mask by Leesa Gibbons.

In caring, Joy

“You can’t breathe in yesterday and you can’t breathe in tomorrow. You can only breathe in the present moment.”  I read that somewhere and it is so true.  To deal with the challenge of today, we need to be present today.

Oprah Winfrey says, “Breathe.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”  What a message for people everywhere and especially for caregivers and parents.  Don’t waste a minute of today.  Live it to the fullest.

“Try to take a breath five minutes ago.  Okay, that didn’t work.  Try to breathe five minutes from now.  That didn’t work either.  You see, we can only breathe for right now.”  That’s advice from Eugene D. Holden, in Science of the Mind. 

When you find the day too tough to deal with, stop, close your eyes, and take in a deep breath.  Do it right now.  Wow, instant stress relief. 

Touch of Joy Golliver