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Practice What You Preach

Practice What You Preach

by myconcretedove | Oct 29, 2019 | Christian, Devotional, Five Minute Fridays

I’ve been in a few training sessions over the years where we were encouraged to practice a 30 second (or so) testimony. I guess the point is to share your salvation story keeping it as simple but meaningful as possible. Hmm…that’s not challenging is it? Truth be told,...
Remember Your Whale Experience

Remember Your Whale Experience

by myconcretedove | Oct 28, 2019 | Christian, Devotional, Five Minute Fridays

We are all called to a great commission (Matt 28:16-20), which is to share the good news of Christ with the world. We may not feel a calling but it’s there and God, in His kindness, equips each one of us to go, though some are reluctant to follow-through. This is...
You Gotta Have Skin in the Game!

You Gotta Have Skin in the Game!

by myconcretedove | Oct 25, 2019 | Christian, Devotional, Five Minute Fridays

Becoming a good writer doesn’t just happen. Even for the gifted, among whom I do not count myself, developing this craft involves work, study, exploration, prayer, and practice. Oh! Let’s not forget humility. This is a tough business, I mean the work and emotional...
Who Says It Has to Make Sense Anyway?

Who Says It Has to Make Sense Anyway?

by myconcretedove | Oct 22, 2019 | Devotional, Five Minute Fridays, October Free Write

Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!   Pastor says, “God is good”, and the people respond,...
You Gotta Have Skin in the Game!

Details, Schmetails! Who Cares About the Details?

by myconcretedove | Oct 1, 2019 | Devotional, Five Minute Fridays, October Free Write

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Have you ever tried to polish a hard object, like a...
Start: What’s the Big Deal?

Start: What’s the Big Deal?

by myconcretedove | Sep 17, 2019 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays

Why is getting started on anything such a big deal? Anything? Not really. For me it just the bigger, more important things that trip me up. Take this five-minute free write, for example, we’re four days into the week and I’m just getting started. Why?...
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myconcretedove

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🍳Breakfast with Mom. She still fiesty at 96 years 🍳Breakfast with Mom. She still fiesty at 96 years old. 

😤😡Caring for a nonagenarian can be quite a challenge. Sometimes it's hard to compartmentalized your emotions while providing the practical needs for your care recipient. But we can't pack away love.

💜Love is one emotion we need keep out in front every day of our caregiving journey. Love leads to joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). All the things the family caregiver needs.

What's your biggest caregiving struggle?

Thanks for reading.
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#familycaregivers 
#familycaregiver 
#caregiverstrong 
#caringformom 
#caregiverjourney 
#caringforparents 
#caregivinglife
🐝Even on hard days, take a little time to smile. I 🐝Even on hard days, take a little time to smile. It might just change your outlook for the rest of the day.

💙I'm talking to you, family caregiver.

#caregiverselfcare 
#iamacaregiver 
#caringforparents 
#caregiverjourney 
#smilingiscontagious 
#selfcareis
#smilingisgoodforthesoul
Do you know what kind of bird this is? Do you fin Do you know what kind of bird this is?

Do you find them in your backyard, too?

#backyardbirding 
#backyardbirder
Get your walk in 😎Chase the shade and run through Get your walk in
😎Chase the shade and run through all the sprinklers you can find i'm neighborhood.

#caregiverselfcare 
#walkingisselfcare
👩‍🌾 Family Caregivers, have you planted a garden 👩‍🌾 Family Caregivers,  have you planted a garden this year?

I know what you're thinking. That  takes time and extra work! 

🥬🍅But look at the payoff! 

I wasn't going to plant a garden this year, either. But then, I picked up a couple of tomato plants. Then, the cucumber plants were on sale for $1.00. I already had a  one-pot lettuce garden going, so I jumped in with both feet. 

🥗 Now I have a salad garden.

Many summers ago, I planted much bigger gardens, and I always enjoyed caring for them. But the years caring from my sister became quite full and heavy, so I gave up my annual garden. 

🚫 At the time, we weren't talking so much about self-care, and I didn't truly appreciate the selfcare aspect of gardening. 

But since then I’ve learned that taking care of a garden can take your mind off other things that might be more stressful. For me, it's  caring for Mom. What is it for you?

Growing a garden gives us something to look forward to...
The next leaf
The next flower 
The next tomato!

And then...
Fried tomatoes
A crisp sandwich
Pickles
SALAD!

Possibilities for selfcare are endless. So, if gardening isn’t your thing...
Stretch 
Walk
Run
Cook (personally, I like to chop a lot of things for a big pot of something on Sundays)
Knit
Write (even a quick morning journal routine and be helpful)
Paint (watercolor is my favorite)
Try growing a garden (a little patch of flowers counts)

Selfcare can take you to another place, a healthy place, a place just for you.

What's your favorite way to care for yourself?

If you can't think of one, then it's time to start. 💐
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#caregiverselfcare
#selfcareis
#gardeningisselfcare
#caregiverstrong
#caregivingjourney
#caregivinglife
#gardeningisfun
Family caregivers tip-Selfcare is important! Family caregivers tip-Selfcare is important!
Out for a drive with mom. We stopped at Eddie's dr Out for a drive with mom. We stopped at Eddie's drive-in  restaurant, where the waitress brings your food on a tray while wearing roller skates. 

Caregiving can be tough. Finding ways to have fun is worth the effort.

Summertime vibes.🛼🛼
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# summertimevibes
#caregivinglife 
# driveins
#caregiverstrong
🥬My little patch of self-care. A little self-care 🥬My little patch of self-care. A little self-care can make it easier for you to be a caregiver to your aging parent.

👩‍🌾I planted a lettuce garden earlier this summer and found that nurturing it nurtures me. 

😯Self-care comes in many forms, some of which can surprise you, like this little garden has me. Self-care is important, so please incorporate it into your caregiving life. 
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#selfcareforcaregivers
#selfcareisimportant
#selfcareideas
#selfcarei
#selfcare101
#selfcarehelp
#caregivinglife
#caregiverstrong
#enjoyyourday❤️
#takecareofyourselffirst
#takecareofyourself❤️
#familycaregiver
#gardenforyoyrself
Instagram post 17916577569109382 Instagram post 17916577569109382
Family caregivers, take five minutes today to find Family caregivers, take five minutes today to find a little gift that makes you smile. It might just be in your own backyard.
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#caregiverburnout 
#caregiving 
#familycaregivers
A 20 minute walk can be beneficial for your health A 20 minute walk can be beneficial for your health. 
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#keepwalking 
#mindfulwalking 
#walkingforhealth #walkingismytherapy
🌳Today, it was an Awe Walk. I walk in this park a 🌳Today, it was an Awe Walk.

I walk in this park almost every Monday, with a friend, before going to Mom's. My brother and I alternate days visiting and making her a meal.

I've never noticed these two trees intertwined, creating a beautiful sculpture, like a gift tucked away in the corner of the park.🎁

God reveals something new to us every day, so pay attention, family caregiver.  It could be the highlight of your day, and you won't want to miss it.
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#familycaregivers 
#caringformom
#takingcareofmom 
#keepwalking 
#payingattention 
#walkingforhealth
#awewalk
#mindfulwalking
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