Hang in there, it will get better.

Hang in there, you shall find rest.

Hang in there, you are doing the right thing.

Hang in there, make it through another episode.

Hang in there, the worst may already be over.

Hang in there, this experience is preparing you so you'll be able to handle things yet to come with less doubt and agony.

Hang in there, it's all worth it.

Hang in there, the love you give is among the greatest achievements of your life.

Hang in there, don't quit.

Hang in there, tell yourself to try just one more time.

Hang in there my friend. Hang in there.

Wait while resolution is being digested.

****G U I D A N C E*****

Don't give up on us or quit just yet...

We are not firmly rooted in our ways nor entrenched with wisdom.

Weary, worn, and worried, we work to understand our own feelings.

What's the point of failure? How can we cope with more loss?

When promises can't be kept are we better off to avoid making the effort to try?

The personal crisis that arises from caregiving is often tied to the messiness of life.

"Remain positive and upbeat."

Why believe it is getting better?

Be merciful
and full of hope
you will find rest.


Be confident
and unafraid
you will not fail.

Imagine this: you are thrust into a caregiver role. What's next?

Find support for yourself as you endeavor to give care. This can come in personal, private, or public forms, and may or may not be available when you need it most.

Keep your wits about you. Even the last survivor on an exploding ship must get quite the interesting view! Nothing is as dire as we make it, usually.

Share your concerns but don't develop an unrealistic expectation that you can give them away or delegate your responsibilities. We are all responsible for giving care. Most of the time giving care is easy. Sometimes it is hard to be a caregiver.

Words you can Think About

 

 

Be the change that you want

to see in the world (Gandhi)

 

Give hope to the despairing

 

Grow means to trust in the Lord

 

The hardest part of finding your way

after you’re lost is letting go

of everything holding you back

 

Blessed are those who

Hunger and Thirst for Justice

 

Reach into your own faith

and build the kingdom of God

 

Remember: rich rewards will be

greatest in heaven

 

Believe everyone makes a difference

 

Pray twice when you sing

 

Freedom is coming

 

Happy Holidays

I can only imagine what philanthropy is like. It must be a unique pleasure to work with a philanthropist. A cancer diagnosis is devastating. What a wonderful response to share the means for inspiring others in their state of shock.

All I ever hear about support groups for men is how they get discontinued because the lack of involvement does not warrant continuation of the group. What a misconception this is and what a sad reality to perpetuate.

You have heard "There's no such thing as a free lunch." Everybody knows there's a catch. "What's in it for me? What do I need to do to get (the prize)? How much time do I have to commit?" You've got your own assortment of male volunteers. Most likely each of them has a reason, a purpose for doing what they do.

Think about volunteering this way: If we give you a free tool (CMfM) will you donate a period of time (say 6-8 months) to be part of a core team for a caregiver support program (ITN)?

You've got to see that most men in caregiver roles don't have the resources to commit for projects outside their immediate concerns.

What would a philanthropist do? We're waiting for the dollyed-up manual.

These are five things I hope for the people I love:

1. The cancers will never control our lives.

2. The unrest will reach peaceful resolutions.

3. Our children will grow and embrace the world.

4. Our parents will find rest.

5. I will become a better caregiver.

Healing Prayer

 

I dreamed I entered God's domain

to find an answer for each pain.

With my encounters needing care

I asked the Lord, "Why take me there?"

 

"I made that grief so you could share

and none would get more than they bear.

Though you have lived well without sin

the world needs healing from within.

 

"My spirit rests on every being.

There's more to life than what you're seeing.

The homeless die on streets forgotten.

The hungry long to eat what's rotten.

 

"The broken rend in fields divided

while restless wither undecided.

The needy plead considerations

but you are blessed for generations.

 

From all occasions such as these

I begged forgiveness on my knees.

Thus, new convert, I understood

the true belief that "It's All Good."

Now see how it goes with hope? Yesterday I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Today is a blessing. I am lucky to be alive. We are going to do the best we can. I think that will be good enough and we will make it. The challenges, the disappointments, the anxious moments, the suffering, the pain, the tears, the loss, the mistakes, the trials, the misunderstandings...all can be lost and forgotten in the joy of the new day!

Caregivers, put on some hope and learn to cope with present stressors. Appreciate the past. Build confidence the future will be better.

Dear Dan,

Thank you for all your kind words at the loss of my mother and during this past year.

With sincere appreciation,

Pat

Pray for a minor miracle Tuesday.

Resolve brief relief from emptiness.

Have faith; put hope for your situation to improve into God's care.

Get on with being a good person.

What does it cost to remain positive, cheerful, and upbeat?

Your closest friends will think you've lost your mind.

How much do you budget to allow for miracles?

More denial, delusion, and doubt than you can bear.

When should you stay strong and not give up?

Every time you happen to think "We're not going to make it."

Why can this (event) be a good thing?

Just because we do not understand (it) does not make (it) wrong.

Where do we go from here?

Celebrate life!