Empowered Thoughts

I’ve been writing about caregiving the past few months and reflected on the powerful examples in my family.  Years ago my grandparents emigrated from Poland to the United States in search of a better life for their families.  My Dad was one of the oldest of twelve children and he left high school to get a job so he could help support his family.

In the 1960′s my grandfather suffered a number of strokes and was unable to walk. He weighed over 200 pounds and my grandmother wasn’t strong enough to move him. For ten years, my mother went to their home every night and put my grandfather to bed and each morning she got him up and dressed and sat him in his chair. Now my sister cares for my Dad who lives home alone and my Mom who lives in a nursing home.

I could list endless stories of family and friends who care for each other in time of need. I’m sure you have a list of your own caregivers.

Caregiving is complex. It demands us to be patient, strong, persistent, fearless and gentle. We are called on to be advocates, listeners, errand-runners and negotiators. At the same time we deal with our own feelings of guilt, failure, disappointment and fear. All while trying to take care of ourselves so we can care for others.

And yet in the midst of pain, fear and sorrow, the opportunity to be a caregiver is truly a gift. The time we spend with our loved ones is precious. There is an awareness of love that is amazingly profound. We experience an extraordinary deepening of faith.

Who cares? I do. And I know you do. We care because we love and we love because we care.

I absolutely know that God cares for us and loves us unconditionally. And just when we think we can’t face another day, God sends us a caregiver to give us a call or a hug or lend a helping hand.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”        1 Corinthians 2:9  Praise God.

This July 4th weekend we celebrate freedom. This video reminds us of all we have to be grateful for.

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A 15 year old girl made this.

This puts to shame the output of a number of Hollywood producers

and/or directors.

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!

This film was made by a 15 year old girl. It is the hottest thing on

the internet. Lizzie Palmer who put this

YouTube program together, is 15 years old. . In case you missed it, here it is.

Watch all of it…….and, pass it on!!

Doubt, fear, indecision, worry…that negative chatter can drive us crazy.

Watch this video!! Bob Newhart has the answer!

I was driving my friend to the train station after a wonderful visit when we got stuck in construction work and a traffic jam. I found myself complaining the whole time and felt frenzied by the drive. I got her to the train station, drove to my next appointment and found myself exhausted. Complaining is a sure-fire way to lose energy, motivation and enthusiasm.

Accusations, blame and criticism are the ABC’s of complaining. If we believe our words have power, then using them to complain keeps our problems alive. The Law of Attraction works both ways: Whatever we put our attention on increases. Focused attention on what is not working causes energy and vitality to spiral down.

I love this quote from Emma Curtis Hopkins. “I am satisfied with the world in which I walk. All things please me. Near me is the presence of Good. I am a creation of the living God, perfect, harmonious and satisfying.”

I think I would rather engage in the ABC’s of harmony: Appreciate, bless and compliment. I have more energy already!

I received an email from my newsletter service letting me know that four readers unsubscribed to my newsletter.  A year ago that would have made me crazy worrying that my writing was too bold, too weak. Was the newsletter too long, too short….why didn’t they like me???

I’m over it. Life is way too short to spend one more moment worrying about it. My intention is to share tools so that others can get over fear, doubt and suffering and live a dynamic, love-filled, grace-filled life. My vision is to reveal the Joy of Divinity, to reveal the Joy of life and embrace our divine inheritance that God has so graciously promised and fulfills everyday if we are aware and awake enough to receive it.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what I do. God has blessed me in so many ways. Yes, I have experienced loss and hardship but I have come to know the blessing on the other side. In my prayers each day, I ask God to show me what is mine to do and to show me who I am to serve.

If my extraordinary, brilliant husband Laurence were here he would say, “Man up. Get over it and pay attention to the people that want what you have to share.” Yes, sir! Praise God!

I’ve been thinking about my Dad today and appreciating his amazing history. Just eight days after my parents were married, Pearl Harbor was attacked. My Dad was drafted two months later. He trained in Mississippi and then in Trinidad before he was sent to Europe.  He was a Private First Class Engineer assigned to General Patton’s 3rd Army.  He served for three years fighting on the front lines, building bridges and clearing land mines. He was discharged in 1945 and received a Bronze Star, American Campaign Medal, WWII medal and American African Eastern Campaign medal.

My Dad is incredibly humble and is reluctant to talk about the war. When I think of all he’s experienced and all he’s done I am deeply moved and grateful. I am very grateful he made it through and is still here.

Praise God for all those who have fought for our freedom.