When caring for a loved one, you likely wear so many hats throughout your day that your head is often spinning. The key to cultivating calm and creating tranquility in your life is to find a way to wear only one hat at a time. This will help you become more present and give every situation the clarity it deserves. It will also lead you to the work-life-caregiving balance that feeds the breath of life. You are the center of everything you encounter, so finding equilibrium is critical.
As the new year begins, I encourage you to slow down long enough to achieve emotional well-being and clear a path to acknowledging your whole self. As you look at the year ahead, the to-do lists may get longer, and your patience and clarity get shorter. Still, your responsibilities to others and your responsibility to yourself don't diminish.
Here are some key elements to consider on your path to resilience, sanity, and clarity:
Mindfulness and Presence:
Cultivate the ability to observe your thoughts without judgment. You will likely get ramped up with emotions and overdo at this time. Judgments can fly out of nowhere, so tread easily. Immerse yourself in the moment rather than worry over tomorrow.
Adaptability:
Old traditions may take a new and slightly different path, especially when a loved one has become ill. Embrace new traditions that ease stress and open your heart.
Respite:
Prioritize self-care activities contributing to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Walking has become my number-one go-to, especially when things get stressful. Air, breathing… ahh!
Gratitude Practice:
Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Instead of focusing on bad things that may have occurred, focus on all of the good. Take a moment to enjoy the beauty in things as simple as a smile from a stranger or the clouds in the sky.
You are the center of everything that happens in your world, so begin this new year with the intention of connecting with yourself by cultivating calm and creating tranquility, which are the keys to a more peaceful life for you and your loved ones.
Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and stay committed to being in the moment.
Hugs,
Cyndi Mariner
Breathing Spaces
