I'm up at a bit of an odd time, even for me. But, in my defense, I was taking away worries with distraction; in this case, finding stuff for my new tumblr project. However, I found something that made me think of caregivers like you, so I thought I'd share. This something happens to be a poem entitled "The Laughing Heart" by Charles Bukowski.

Tom Waits reads it in this video:



And, in case the video isn't showing, here are the words.

Charles Bukowski (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Laughing Heart, by Charles Bukowski

your life is your life
don't let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can't beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

The poem resonates with me, how about you? How it talks of light being somewhere, and how the light is better than the darkness. And, the ending is something for us all to remember. In the midst of caring for others, remember that your life is your life. Know it while you have it (do for yourself). You are marvelous, so let your light shine as far as you can, for as long as you can. It may make a difference. It just may. :)

Related Articles

• Tell Us: What's the Worst Caregiving Emotion? (caregiving.com)


• What's the Best Caregiving Emotion? (caregiving.com)


• Humor is a Must for Us (caregiving.com)


• I Know Why (caregiving.com)


• Meet a Working Family Caregiver: Meagan Thomas (caregiving.com)


• What Caregiving Has Done for Me (caregiving.com)