It's what you wear and what you do.
The watch you wear reminds you that you are late, that you must rush, that you'll always be behind.
The watch you take means you watch for declines, for problems, for the next shoe to drop.
You feel like your day is all about checking the time and checking for bad news.
It's hard and awful to be on the 24-hour watch.
When you need a break from the caregiving watches, watch something else.
Watch what happens in nature by stepping outside.
Watch what happens when you sit on a bench at your local park and enjoy the sounds and sites of youthful energy.
Watch what happens to your stress when you take a break from taking control for just a few minutes.
Watch what happens to your heart when you sit with someone you love and hold hands.
Watch what happens to your spirit when you take a moment to close your eyes and say a prayer for your own well-being.
We can switch our watches because it's important we note our reality, which includes the reality of caregiving and the reality that life continues around us on its own schedule. We can continue, too, and give ourselves moments for our own schedule.
We're on time.
Resources
“Watch” is one of the entries in my new book, “Take Time for Comfort,” now available for Kindle pre-order. You can read one page of "Take Time for Comfort" once a week to connect to support. You can use the words I write to inspire the words you write in your own journal. You can carry the book with you to ease your worries during a long wait or caregiving crisis. When you purchase during our pre-order sale, you’ll pay $2.99 and save a buck. Order your Kindle copy before August 19.
We’ll celebrate the launch of “Take Time for Comfort” for five days beginning August 26. I’ll post a Caregiving Comfort, just like “Watch”, for five days on CaringOurWay.com. When you add a comment with your own reflections, you’ll be entered into a chance to win the complete five-book Take Comfort series plus a care package. Join us on CaringOurWay.com.
I believe we all have a moment in life when the Universe turns its flashlight on us and shows us our path forward. I had a flashlight moment in the spring of 1990, which led to my 30-plus years of working and supporting family caregivers. During our five-day virtual summer camp, I’ll help you turn your flashlight moment into a path of meaningful, impactful work, whether it be at your current employer, in a new business you start, through volunteer work or just in your community. Our camp begins Monday, August 12. We'll meet for one hour every day for five days at Noon ET. I'll record our classes and will release the full archive on August 17. Register to join me live or to receive access to the archive.