Each New Year brings forth a pause in our lives; a time to reflect on unfulfilled dreams, unrealized expectations and uncompleted tasks. As a caregiver, there are so many up and downs; emotions running rampant at times, getting the best of us. At times, we can find ourselves wondering why; we don’t have a caregiver for ourselves. What has happened to our own life?

It is interesting that many people use the holidays or the beginning of the New Year to gauge one’s successes or failures. The coming of each New Year ushers forth a whole new list of resolutions.

In living a spiritual life, or the life of the Higher Power, there are no not-so-good days, nor some days or tomorrows. We only have the present moment… “NOW”.

Every day is a new day; and it is important to look freshly at each new day as an opportunity to awaken your consciousness more… to make choices that will enhance the quality of your life and empower you, no matter what your circumstances may be.

Think of yourself as a light worker, bringing love and light in all you do. Caregivers can be likened to spiritual warriors with a tender heart filled with sadness. When you find yourself feeling low, depressed or negative, no one can change your attitude and feelings but you. Take a moment just to look where your thoughts have taken you today up till this very moment. Were they negative? Fearful? Positive? Loving? Inspiring?

Even amidst a loved one’s near departure from this life, there is beauty surrounding us everywhere. How you choose to view it all is how your life shows up. Is the cup half full or half empty? The choice is yours.

So as you move into the coming year, choose to remain conscious and loving. Be mindful of your thoughts. Be mindful of how you relate to and treat others. Take responsibility for whom you are. Don’t worry about the next person will think. Don’t seek their approval either. Take charge of your life. Dare to be your authentic self.. Be free to express yourself with love in all aspects of your life as you were truly born to be. Be your Divine self…

May love & light shine through you always….Happy Happy New Year.

Richest Blessings

Gail R. Mitchell

Author

  • Ms. Mitchell began her full-time caregiving experience in the early eighties when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Later on she became the primary caregiver for her father, along with her mother who had become critically ill from burnout prior to her dad’s passing. In recent years, she cared for several friends with AIDS while continuing to care for her mother and actively providing support, information, referrals and resources for caregivers.

    Gail's leadership on the Internet and her success with Empowering Caregivers led her to found National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) INC in 2001.

    Prior to founding NOFEC, she created the iVillageHealth Chat: Empowering Caregivers, which she hosted for over 5 years. Within a month of hosting she created Empowering Caregivers: www.care-givers.com in 1999 as a resource for caregivers around the globe. Over three million visitors have frequented the website.

    She has presented at national and international care-related conferences and programs and has been a keynote speaker for many programs as well.

    Ms Mitchell has assisted thousands of caregivers online and offline in ways to empower themselves in their roles in caring for loved ones.

    For a list of clients and/or her resume, please contact info@care-givers.com

    Gail's articles have been published in many venues nationally and in Canada. Presently, she is a member of American Society on Aging and National Quality Caregivers Coalition.

    Gail has discovered that there is life after caregiving: She has become a successful ceramic artist and installation artist. She created Crystal Illumination Art to bring the transformative quality of illumination, light and color to the human experience and celebrate its ability to inspire, heal and nourish our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.

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By Gail Mitchell