Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Lesson 37: Learn to Take Care of Yourself


My whole life I have taken care of others...as a daughter to my chronically sick mother, as a nurse to my patients, as a mother to my children, as a wife to my husband, and now as a daughter to my elderly sick father. The role of caregiver can be a blessing and a burden.

It was a blessing to take care of my children and watch them physically grow and mentally mature into the lovely successful young adults they are today.  It will be a blessing once again when they have their own families, and I can participate in the care and nurturing of their offspring.

It has also been a blessing to lovingly "care" for my husband, who has been an equal partner for 35 years. We "care" for each other - nurturing, supporting, and growing older together.

The burden of taking care of others comes in doing those tasks that we do not particularly like to do, and often for a longer period than we would like. When we are born, we do not know what awaits us. We are innocent and pure. We yearn to learn about everything around us. We yearn to feel happy and fulfilled. Sometimes, life events get in the way of our goals. Sometimes, we're just born into a not-so-great situation, and we are forced to deal the hand we are dealt with.  Some parents are particularly good at teaching children to cope; others are not. The problem becomes when the child hurts himself/herself over time taking on the burdens, but not knowing how to "let go" and take care of himself/herself.

As human beings, we are mere machines of muscles, nerves, blood flow, hormones, enzymes, body organs and connective tissue. If we are lucky, each body part works harmoniously with each other, and we function optimally in a state of dynamic equilibirum. Over time, like any machine, the parts get worn down. Those that are "stressed" more than others, lose their function. Like a table which suddenly misses a leg, the body has to readjust to be functional. Sometimes it can with a little intervention (physical, occupational, psychotherapies, medications), and sometimes that is just not enough.

Stress can be physically or mentally-induced.  It is easier to replace a hip, than a troubled mind. You only get one chance at life. Consider what long-term unwanted stress may be doing to do.  Learn to take care of yourself. Let go of the things you can, so that you may enjoy your life. Be good to yourself!