Touch of Joy

From Upset to Uplift

Joy — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:55:21 +0000

While reading an article by Eugene D. Holden with this title, I thought, what a message for caregivers and their loved one! We frequently find ourselves in this predicament. One or the other of us is angry or crying. We both want to uplift the other. Elbert Hubbard said, “If I can uplift or inspire, let it be by example, inference, and suggestion.”

To move from one to the other, we need to choose to change! Nothing changes if nothing changes. We need to take action steps to make our upside down world better.

Check out the new booklet – Self Care for Caregivers: 161 Tips to Make Your Life Easier, by going to http://www.JoyGolliver .com. Choose any tip that makes sense to you and take ACTION.

In caring, Joy

Quotes

Joy — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:53:05 +0000

Do you love to collect quotes? I do. Today I share some of my favorites. Cut them out; paste them on your mirror or in your journal.

“You can love other people only to the degree that you’ve come to love and accept yourself.” Shakti Gawain

“Work as if you don’t need the money/Dance as if no one is looking/Love as if you have never been hurt. Anonymous

“Your life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be opened.” Wayne Muller author of How Then Shall I Live.

“There is no cure for birth or death save to enjoy the interval.” George Santayana

“Patience makes lighter what sorrow may not heal.” Horace

Touch of ^_Joy

Elijah’s Coin

Joy — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:49:23 +0000

A fascinating book on paying it forward that will capture your attention. “Elijah’s Coin: A Lesson for Life,” was written by Steve O’Brien. It is the story of a man named Tom Wagner who is on the journey of his life when he meets a mentor named Elijah King during his first robbery attempt. The book takes many twists and turns in this easy to read novel. Through Elijah, Tom eventually learns how one person can make a difference, and together with others, change the world.”

The book comes with two of Elijah’s coins, one to keep and the other to give away. It received 5 stars on Barnes and Nobel and 6 stars on Amazon.com. I encourage you to buy it today. Check out our Amazon store.

Touch of Joy Golliver

Give and Receive

Joy — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:33:58 +0000

“The Giver is always giving, and yet it needs a receiver to complete its circuit of circulation. Are you a receiver? We must learn to give and receive.” That statement is by Lloyd Tupper, OurAbundantLife.com.

When you are a caregtiver it seems like you are always giving, and giving, and giving. And you make the ill person take, and take, and take. Neither feels good about what is happening, and some of us get downright angry about it. Receivers who are ill feel guilty for having to be taken care of. They want to help out in some way. Caregivers need the chance to be on the receiving end once in a while.

Two things need to take place. One: agree that you are Care Partners in this experience. You are on the journey together and each has a role to play. Two: Caregivers need to ASK for help and ACCEPT help from friends and family because they want to be in the giving role and you need to receive their help. How do you ask? Be specific about what you want. “Can you take the car and have it washed and gassed up?” Can you stay with Jim while I run to the grocery? I will be gone 2 hours max.” Both of you will receive the JOY of being givers and receivers. Try it, it works!

Touch of JOY

Caregiver Truths

Joy — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:45:28 +0000

Anne Lamott has written a book, “Traveling Mercies.” In it she says that her most popular prayers are, “Help me, help me, help me” and “”Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Sounds like the caregivers prayer.

She also has a wonderful quote: “All you can do is show up for someone in crisis. Your there-ness … can be life giving, because often everyone else is in hiding.”

Ain’t it the truth. If you are a friend of a caregiver …. SHOW UP, the Caregiver already has!

Touch of JOY

The Purpose of Life

Joy — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:43:00 +0000

In an interview with Paul Bradshaw, Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life, said, “Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.”

As a caregiver it is hard sometimes to see any good in the experience. But I have learned lessons and grown during my nine years of caring. I have developed character and patience during this tough challenge. Rick Warren has experienced it first hand as well, as his wife has battled cancer.

What is the purpose of life? Here is my personal answer; “The meaning of life is finding your gift. The purpose of life is giving it away.”

Touch of JOY

The World Flag

Joy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:40:23 +0000

Did you know that you can fly a World Flag? The World Flag was created in 1988 to raise global awareness, inspire innovative solutions, and promote action toward challenges facing our world today. It serves as a powerful symbol to inspire action and celebrate the pursuit of positive change. The Flag has flown from New York to Nepal and continues to make its way around the planet spreading its message of unity. In 1988 while recovering from a serious cycling accident, Paul Carroll created the concept and design of The World Flag.

The original artwork, (silk on canvas) consisted of all the members of the United Nations surrounding Buckminster Fullers’ Dymaxion map of the earth. The debut of The Flag was at a Prayer for World Peace event at the United Nations headquarters in NYC.

You can purchase a flag or flag T Shirt at www.TheWorldFlag.org. (Text for this blog was taken directly from their website.)

Touch of JOY

Dance in the Rain

Joy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:32:27 +0000

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

Put On Your Oxygen Mask

Joy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 03:26:57 +0000

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

Breathe

Joy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:31:51 +0000

“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