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Daily Question, February 22

What has caregiving taught me?

  • Malag

    Purpose and meaning. Raising a family was an amazing journey.

  • J K

    Caregiving is indeed one of the important value that a person should have.
    Caring for others has made me realize that we can fill our heart with love only if we have people around us about whom we care!!

  • Blossom
    Realizing that I was hurting more than helping, I first had to learn the difference between caregiving and caretaking. Caregiving is an act respect – I will give myself to you and I will trust in you to tell me what you need. This is an act of love and support towards the other person, in my case, the ones that I loved the most. Caretaking is I know what you need to do. I have more experience and knowledge then you and better understand what you need. This is an act of disrespect of another ...

    Realizing that I was hurting more than helping, I first had to learn the difference between caregiving and caretaking.

    Caregiving is an act respect – I will give myself to you and I will trust in you to tell me what you need. This is an act of love and support towards the other person, in my case, the ones that I loved the most.

    Caretaking is I know what you need to do. I have more experience and knowledge then you and better understand what you need. This is an act of disrespect of another human being and takes away their dignity when most vulnerable.

    The most loving experience I have ever had is to be with someone in their last moments, it was an honor to have their trust.

    Interestingly enough, tomorrow is the anniversary of my Mother’s passing, it brings a gentle love to my heart.

    Read More
  • Hermann-Josef

    A good perception is most important. Go out of the way and do what the situation and the person is asking for( most of times non verbal). Don‘t only think of what you learnt or what you think to know. It is essential to learn and to be prepared, but don‘t forget to watch, to listen and to feel. Don‘ care your knowledge , but the patient

  • Don Jones

    To do whatever needs to be done, given the particular circumstances of a situation. Of course, with the complete consent and participation of the receiver.

  • MemoPC

    Caregiving has taught me to respect the dignity of others. The old, the young, the dying whatever their state in this life ministering with respect to their personhood keeps my “help” centered on what is best for them. Sometimes it’s not about what I think someone else needs.

  • Love Abundantly

    Caregiving has taught me that service humbles and being humbled is good. Caregiving has shown me it opens doors to peoples hearts when done with the right attitude. Caregiving has taught me that no matter the age we all need it. Caregiving has taught me to love deeper and by doing it it connects me with others.

  • devy

    Caring, compassion patience and also that one needs to be caregiving to themselves and not just with others.

  • Antoinette

    Caregiving takes patience. I have learned that I lack patience! Lol! I am learning to develop more patience both with myself and others.
    Like seeds we plant in the soil, caregiving is tending to needs. We can’t rush the process and we can’t overdo it either. Over time we see how much growth happens.

  • Yram

    Caregiving is exhausting, both mentally and physically. It has taught me to let go of the unnecessary and focus on the present while preparing for “the next step.” It has also taught me to receive the gratitude of the other.

  • Cathie

    As I take care of my aging mother, I am taught through her – the circle of life.

  • Carol

    Everyone’s answers have been extremely helpful to me as I struggle with self care and how to help and care of a loved one who is deeply depressed. A key for me when it comes to care giving is that I can’t fix any one else but I can offer to walk with them with compassionate love.

  • Demmi
    It depends on how you interpret caregiving as such. Do you see it as more of a self guilt trip? E.g. reflecting on it as if, if I was in their position would I like someone to help me and to guide me in the way that I am going to help them. Or do you see it as more of an opportunity to build yourself into a better person, to caregive to them selflessly. I personally think caregiving has taught me to be more of a selfless person and to take the opportunity to not be so selfish and help another...

    It depends on how you interpret caregiving as such. Do you see it as more of a self guilt trip? E.g. reflecting on it as if, if I was in their position would I like someone to help me and to guide me in the way that I am going to help them.
    Or do you see it as more of an opportunity to build yourself into a better person, to caregive to them selflessly.
    I personally think caregiving has taught me to be more of a selfless person and to take the opportunity to not be so selfish and help another person out, not from the guilt but from the heart.

    Read More
  • Laura

    I learned patience looking after family members who were sick or recovering from my surgery..
    But when tending to those who were dying, I learned what active, ongoing courage and surrender and look like.

  • Patricia

    To be patient, loving and compassionate. We’re all in this together.

  • EJP

    Caregiving has taught me that I possess great inner strength, courage and patience.

  • Kevin
    Countless skills, from procedural, clinical, and practical, to common “best practices” can be learned while providing care to another person. Caregiving can also be very hard work, period. But that’s not how I think about caregiving and what it has opened my eyes to. In my experience caregiving can also be a sacred act. There is no greater honor in this life than being able to care for another human being in a myriad of ways. Caring for a loved one, a friend, total stranger, or in pasto...

    Countless skills, from procedural, clinical, and practical, to common “best practices” can be learned while providing care to another person. Caregiving can also be very hard work, period. But that’s not how I think about caregiving and what it has opened my eyes to.

    In my experience caregiving can also be a sacred act. There is no greater honor in this life than being able to care for another human being in a myriad of ways. Caring for a loved one, a friend, total stranger, or in pastoral care or within chaplaincy settings, can, at moments, feel like a prayer in motion with its sleeves rolled up and ready to nurture. It is darn hard. It is beautiful. It is God and Spirit given.

    Read More
    • Mary Pat

      Thanks for that imagery of “a prayer in motion with its sleeves rolled up……”

  • Michele

    Caregiving teaches love. One of my strengths of character is being a caregiver. I love caring for my kids, even still, as they are adults now. I care for my pets – it’s all about love.

  • sunnypatti
    Several years ago, I learned I was too much of a caregiver. Always caring for others, I was leaving out an important piece of the puzzle - myself. When I began my healing journey, I learned that we can't really care for others without first taking proper care of ourselves. Tending to my own needs has taught me self-compassion and self-love, which feels really nice! And it allows me to give the best that I can to others - without draining myself in the process, which is what I did in the past. I'...

    Several years ago, I learned I was too much of a caregiver. Always caring for others, I was leaving out an important piece of the puzzle – myself. When I began my healing journey, I learned that we can’t really care for others without first taking proper care of ourselves. Tending to my own needs has taught me self-compassion and self-love, which feels really nice! And it allows me to give the best that I can to others – without draining myself in the process, which is what I did in the past. I’m grateful for this lesson!

    Read More
    • Mary Pat

      sunnypatti, that was my experience as well. It has taken me years to learn self care, and so glad I have finally figured it out-thanks for the reminder.

  • Mary Pat

    Patience. and compassion.

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