The Care Company

Spring is upon us! The days are longer. The darkness of winter is gone and the promise of all that is new and possible is upon us. The trees in my yard are full of blossoms and I’m reminded every year at this time, that we all have the opportunity to do some personal spring-cleaning. What do you need to get rid of? What do you need to make room for? Does your physical, mental or spiritual house need some spring-cleaning?

This morning when I was making my bed, (a chore I usually dislike), I decided to be grateful for the fact that I have this amazing bed to sleep in every night. I decided to be grateful for something I take for granted; something that many in the world do not have. I decided to change my thought. I decided to enjoy the act of making my bed. And you know what? It works. Change your thoughts and change your life. Sounds simple, right? What are you taking for granted?

If you’re caring for a loved one it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and challenges that await you. It’s easy to get trapped in the feeling that life is not fair. And, it’s easy to forget that the act of caring for another human being is one of the greatest gifts that we will ever receive. It’s easy to forget.

However, it is this type of thinking that prevents you from finding the joy, the gifts, the humor, the comedy, the sorrow and the love. Caregiving is full of emotions. Spend time each day embracing whatever shows up for you.

This spring, let’s clear out the cobwebs and make room for the promise of all that can BE!

Spend some time outside. This is good for you and for the person for whom you are caring. Sunshine has an added benefit of nourishing the body with Vitamin D.

Get a portable tape recorder and ask your loved one to share a story from his/her past. The story is preserved forever and you have the added bonus of your loved one’s voice on tape.

Eat brain-boosting foods. For the most part they include all fresh produce. Berries top the list. Visit your local farmer’s market and eat fresh fruits and vegetables. (Caution: If your loved one is on Coumadin, be sure to check about the green vegetables.) By the way….dark chocolate is #4 on the brain-boosting food list.

If your loved one is strong enough, plant flowers together, in the garden or in pots. There is nothing more beautiful than spring flowers. If he/she is not strong enough to help you; at least bring him/her outside to keep you company while you do the planting.

Make a decision to take care of yourself! This spring make the decision to get help, take time off, or whatever it takes for you to feel renewed!

We’re launching our new site in May. The Care Company will soon be the landing place for America’s 60+ million Family Caregivers. We’re committed to creating a nation of EMPOWERED CAREGIVERS – one person at a time. Join us on this journey.

If you know a family caregiver in need of support, feel free to share our newsletter.

We’d love for you to visit our new Facebook page, hit the “Like” button and receive regular updates.

If you want to follow The Cindy Laverty Show please check out the Facebook Page. All radio shows are posted there and it’s a great way to keep current with The Care Company as well. Some great guests are coming up later this month. The Cindy Laverty Show is dedicated to the subject of CARE – how we care for ourselves so we can better care for each other. What a concept! This is why I love the show and my guests. Tune in!

I love hearing from you, so please continue to send your questions to me via email.