Inspiration For Challenging Times...

For the last 7 years, I have had the privilege of being the caregiver for my mother. It intensified last year to the month, and a year later I am now able to get back to me.

I am/was the beloved daughter, the night nurse, the comforter in the middle of the night... I became the mother. I stop working and moved back to my childhood home so it's been a lot of upheaval and change in the last few months... but I wouldn't change a thing.

Care-giving of a parent is a special calling that we all must go though if we are fortunate enough to still have them in our lives... The trick is not to be consumed by it.

Care-givers syndrome is very real!
Remember... It's the care-giver that usually gives out before the patient.
So take time to BREATHE...

Now I am on my way back, with a whole new outlook on who I am becoming... the ongoing journey. I am re-inventing myself, my business and adjusting to my new lifestyle.... As usual, The Universe sent me this poem at the perfect time... Now, I pass it on... Hope you enjoy.


When I Loved Myself Enough

by Kim and Alison McMillen
All Photos by Gail Oliver©2010

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is "AUTHENTICITY".

As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.
Today I call it "RESPECT".

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it "MATURITY".

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time,and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.
Today I call it "SELF-CONFIDENCE".

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it "SIMPLICITY".

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is "LOVE OF ONESELF".

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is "MODESTY".

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it "FULFILLMENT".

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection...
"WISDOM OF THE HEART".

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know "THAT IS LIFE"

Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA