Hope is Powerful

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Say YES to What You Love - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2023-02-2010:13

So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. James 4:7 MSGEvery single person I know wants to make a difference in the lives of others by doing something special and unique. Within you are seeds of a dream to do what only you can do. It is the legacy that you will leave behind. Unfortunately, I had gotten so busy with my job and caregiving responsibilities that I did not make room for my gifts of writ...

eXercise Every Day - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2023-02-1209:10

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. Proverbs 30 :17. ESV In the verse I chose to add to this series is a fascinating one from the well known Proverbs 31 woman. When it says she dresses herself with strength, that means that she rolls up her sleeves and approaches her responsibilities with force. She's going after it. She's secure in who she is. But the Hebrew word there also means praise. Put praise music on every morning as you start your day. Raise y...

W - Wear a Smile - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2023-01-2709:38

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:30 NLTOne of the hardest things about my first husband’s illness (FSHD – Facioscapularhumeral dystrophy) was that it affected the muscles of his face making it hard for him to smile. The other day, as I was looking at some old pictures I started to smile because it brought back memories of when I first met Bill. We were both in the same Greek class at L.I.F.E. Bible College (Now Life Pacific College). I remember two things – his smile and t...

V - Verify the Truth - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2023-01-1708:45

What You’re after is truth from the inside out. Psalm 51:6 MSGIn this podcast, The Hope Lady remembers a difficult time in one of her care-giving assignments. She learned a lot about releasing unforgiveness and anger in order to fully honor the one she was caring for - in this case, her mother-in-love.Our memories are flexible and who better than the Holy Spirit to reshape painful events and to bring us peace right where we need it the most.Active Self NurtureFace what you are feelingDo not b...

U - Unplug - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-12-0913:04

Those who humbly serve will see and rejoice! All you seekers-after-God will revive your souls! Psalm 69:32 VoiceThere is no exhaustion quite like the one you may feel as a caregiver. It feels like it will never end and you don’t know how you keep going – yet, you do. Technology has provided us a way to connect and keep people informed of prayer needs. There is a great deal of support from friends who can reach out to us with encouragement. On the other hand, there is a great danger of becomin...

T- Take Breaks Consistently - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-11-1712:01

Jesus said, Let’s go to the a quiet place and rest awhile. Mark 6:31 NLTCaregiving burnout is very real because you can easily neglect yourself while caring for others. It is imperative that you secure your life vest and wear it all the time.Take care of yourselfWhy is this so hard to do? It starts with a good premise of taking care of the crisis and being the one who is there when needed. Unfortunately, this can become a pattern that is perpetuated where that becomes what brings you value. Y...

S - Stay Connected - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-11-0413:44

S-Stay ConnectedIf one person suffers, all suffer together; if one person is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:26 ESVActive Self NurtureReconnect with friendsWho are your forever friends? Make a list of those who you would love to speak with or sit down with your favorite cuppa coffee/tea. Pick up the phone or send a message over social media to these friends. They will be delighted to see you and you will be refreshed after your time with them.Make a list of people with whom yo...

Good Mourning - Part 2

2022-10-1922:49

This is the second part of the podcast called Good Mourning - Joy does come in the Mourning.Heather is the host of Creating You Podcast. As a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor she has a lot of powerful insights into the process of grieving a loss.Takeaways:It's important to be willing to do a paradigm shift to check in on what you're believing or feeling. Here are some questions to ask:Why can't I feel anything?Where did the messaging come to me?Where is that feeling coming from?Is wh...

Good Mourning - Ride the Waves to Comfort - Part 1

2022-10-1028:49

Welcome to Season 2!Hope is Powerful podcast's second season starts with a delightful conversation with Heather from the Creating You podcast. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a dear friend. Once you listen, you will understand why I love talking to her. We all are grieving something. This podcast encourages you to embrace your pain and lean fully into your feelings in order to "mourn well."Remember:You can learn to ride grie...

Receive Help Graciously - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-09-2712:18

In this podcast The Hope Lady returns to talk about a crucial part of caregiving - letting others help you.Stop hinting at your need for helpOne of the characteristics of a martyr in passive-aggressive communication. You tell people about your woes and then when they ask how they can help, you somehow want them to insist on helping. They take you at your word when you say, “I’m okay, but thanks for asking.” Then you become angry because no one is helping. STOP IT! Instead say, “I need your he...

Quit Complaining - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-08-0912:39

Do everything without complaining. Philippians 2:14 NLTHere is an excerpt from my book, The Power of Hope for Caregivers: Honor the Ride. The details of my late husband’s (Bill) last doctor’s appointment are indelibly engraved in my memory. It was a routine visit with the pulmonologist to check Bill’s oxygen levels. In our past appointments, this doctor had been pleased that Bill’s lungs were still strong even though his diaphragm no longer functioned. The full-time ventilator pushed the air ...

Prepare - Pause - Pivot - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-08-0212:11

Be fully prepared to hold your ground. Ephesians 6:13 VoiceWhat prepared you to be a caregiver?Most of us went into this experience with zero preparation. In fact, you were thrown into it - sometimes by default because no one else would pick up the task. And now you are here. What are you going to do about it?Many talk about the hardships of being a caregiver and need a place to vent. If that is where you find yourself, set a timer and go on your rant. What’s left at end of that monologue? Be...

Overwhelm Darkness With Light - ABCs of Self-Care

2022-07-2612:46

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot extinguish it. John 1:5 VoiceA long caregiving season can feel like a very dark place. I know because I have felt that darkness surrounding me like a wet blanket and chilling my hope. At times it felt like the darkness would win. I felt like the light inside me was dimming more and more every day. At times, it felt like I didn’t even have a flashlight! The darker it becomes, the more obvious a small light is. What does that mean? It me...

Nix Negativity - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-07-1914:19

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure & lovely & dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for & be glad about. Philippians 4:8 TLBYou control your own attitude - so choose to be positive.Choose to look at difficulties through a hope lens.Embrace challenges so you grow & develop in key areas. Filter negative experiences through a lens of gratitude.What can you do differently?Hang out with posit...

Monitor Your Health-ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-07-1212:24

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering (all is well) in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. 3 John 1:2 TPT“Nearly three quarters of family caregivers report not going to the doctor as often as they should and say they skip doctor appointments for themselves. 63% of caregivers report having poor eating habits than non-caregivers and 58% indicate worse exercise habits than before caregiving responsibilities. ( National Alliance for Care...

Learn to Laugh - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-07-0515:45

Shownotes:We were filled with LAUGHTER, and we sang for JOY. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What JOY! Psalm 126:2In this podcast, Karen shares how she learned to choose laughter every day. You can shift your perspective no matter what is going on. Your choices will provide sustainable JOY.Laughter is the gift you give yourself and everyone around you. It comes as a result of a changed perspective and ...

Kickstart Your Day with Positive Affirmations-ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-06-2010:37

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. Proverbs 18:21 MSGI used to hate Mondays. I guess I was like most people I worked with, except that I complained about it a lot. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I hated my job, my husband was ill, our oldest daughter was going crazy, I had been diagnosed with lupus AND my mother-in-love was living with us and I became a very reluctant caregiver (more about that on this podcast). If you are a caregiver you...

Have a Good Cry When Needed* - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-05-3015:12

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 NLT*Be sure to reach out for help with your sadness if it is overwhelming. There are so many who will be happy to help you. Tears are a gift so give yourself permission to have a good cry.Active Self-CareFace your emotionsEmotions are neutral. Feeling them fully is a blessing as they are simply telling you that you are carrying a burden that is too heavy f...

Go Outside - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-05-2209:39

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 VoiceIn this podcast, Karen remembers her journey as a caregiver when her late husband, Bill, was in the Intensive Care Unit for 14 days. The lessons she learned there will bless you today.Takeaways:You deserve time to yourself. Budget at least 10 - 15 minutes outside every day.The increase in Vitamin D strengthen...

Forgive Freely - ABCs of Self-Care for Caregivers

2022-05-1713:56

In this podcast Karen shares the secrets of how to truly forgive. Family dynamics can be complicated and it is wonderful to know that you can give yourself the gift of forgiveness no matter what the other person has done or is doing.Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (New Living Translation)Sandy grew up with a neglectful Dad and an abusive Mom. After her Dad's untimely death she reached out to her Mom only ...

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