Because of Caregiving, Have You Gained Compassion?
Jul 20 2011 in Denise's Blog, Your Caregiving Journey, Your Tips by Denise
I’ve so enjoyed speaking with Kristin, who cares for her family friend, Mary on Your Caregiving Journey. You can listen to our most recent conversation via the player at the bottom of this post.
Over three shows, we’ve talked about how Kristin has gained compassion in caring for Mary, a person who is incapable of feeling compassion. Kristin describes compassion as an action and a feeling and believes her ability to feel and act with compassion toward Mary has improved her ability to care for Mary. For instance, Kristin now focuses on the task at hand, with goals in hand: She approaches personal care with humor, in order to get Mary to smile. Once she has a smile, she begins the task. If Mary becomes uncooperative during the task, Kristin commits to meeting Mary’s loud voice with a lower one. This approach has made a huge difference for both of them. (You can listen to all three of our discussions here.)
So, I wonder: Has caregiving made you more compassionate? If it has, what’s been the impact of other relationships in your life. Please share your thoughts in our comments section, below.
(Program Note: Two shows air tomorrow: Ellen Rogin, our wealthness expert, joins me at 11:30 a.m. CT (12:30 p.m. ET) and Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, our happiness expert, talks about how happiness affects our chronic pain at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET). Listen (and download the podcasts) here.)
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- In Six Words, What’s Your Simple Caregiving Tip? (caregiving.com)
Unit Known as Shandi said on July 20, 2011
Absolutely. I have grown in ways that I couldn’t imagine 5 years ago. Mom told me last week that I was so patient. I grinned, and told her that that must be a new character trait. I’m more of the “mover and shaker” personality. Goal-oriented, “let’s get things done”. Patient was not a word that would have been used to describe me pre-caregiving! I guess I’ve always been compassionate, but I have grown in that area, too. I wonder, sometimes, what I will be like after caregiving. It’s hard to imagine any other life right now.
Bette said on July 20, 2011
Yes. I’ve grown in compassion. Towards my mother and towards others.
I always thought of myself as a compassionate person. Caregiving leads compassion to a different level. A level that truly relates and understands.
The growing is not necessarily comfortable however, and that can make thinking of what is to come a little unsettling at times.
Bette said on July 20, 2011
Thank you Kristin for sharing. Your story has been such a help to me.
G-J said on July 27, 2011
Oh Shandi what you wrote also describes me. I am goal oriented and driven, but would not have described myself as patient. Until now. I am now patient, and not bothered by the less important things. Most of the time anyway!