Nurture Joy

The other day I was talking with a friend about how to balance taking care of others versus taking care of ourselves. She had been taught to deny her own needs so that she could do more for others. 

Scripture tells us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Because we drag bags of guilt around behind us, often for no good reason, we tend to focus on the neighbor part of this, feeling that we already focus too much on our own lives, and we should be more aware of the struggles of our neighbors and do more to help them. Yet there is a difference between doing things and nurturing, both for them and for ourselves. 

 

Self Care for Caregivers

Everybody should be quiet near a little stream and listen. Ruth Krauss

What gives people the strength and endurance to take care of others over a long period of time? While most of us are happy to help people out now and then, a number of my friends are providing continuous care. This opens up a different kettle of fish.

 

- Some have helped a struggling parent for a decade. 

- One has patiently taken care of a bed-ridden husband for eight years.

- One is dealing with a friend’s ongoing depression.

- Another copes with his wife’s dementia, knowing that it will only get worse and additional care will be required.