This Moment

This moment.

It is the only thing we have. This very moment.

My hope for you is that you feel well, safe, secure, and even happy in this moment.

As a family caregiver to an aging loved one, some moments are very joyful while other moments can be tough to get through. Frustration, anxiety over the uncertainty, even loneliness, can appear. Guilt is usually never far away either, right?

When you catch yourself in moments that don’t feel good, please remember and act on these two things:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. Notice them as though you are noticing the environment around you. Even say it out loud so you can hear the words. “I feel overwhelmed right now.” “I feel sad right now.” “I feel irritated right now.” These are a few examples. Say it, just simply, so you can hear it.

2. Then, take a few moments to be with yourself quietly after hearing those words. Don’t get into the story of why and what. Don’t project into the future of what may come around again to further escalate your feelings. Just. Be. With. Them. For. A. Few. Moments. And breathe. Imagine that feeling is like a little child and give that child a hug. Reassure and comfort that child. Use that moment to feel a feeling of comfort.

You are doing great! Do you know how I can say that? It’s because you are doing the best YOU can with what you have and what you know!

And when you don’t know something, you reach out to learn something new or different to try. That marks a person for greatness!

Continue to reach out. Continue to learn. Find out other ways to do things, to respond to situations, to gain a bigger perspective on it.

This moment is all we have.

This very moment.

One day it will be in the past to reflect on. I hope it makes you smile. You know, from that bigger perspective. 😊