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Joyology 101: No One Else Gets to Determine the Worth of Your Experience

Joyology 101: No One Else Gets to Determine the Worth of Your Experience

by myconcretedove | Feb 18, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living, Writing

“Unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes and turns into grief and shame and judgment and hard things. Because someone did not put value on your work does not change the worthiness of that work or us.” –Brene Brown My writing experience is limited to the...
Joyology 101: Going from Earning a Profession to Accepting a Commission

Joyology 101: Going from Earning a Profession to Accepting a Commission

by myconcretedove | Feb 17, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Confessions of a Caregiver, Joyful Living, Writing

What is a professional? Boy of boy, I’m tired just thinking about it! Student loans, hours and hours of research, reading and writing papers, maybe working for free as an intern, going to trade-school, and working through an apprenticeship. Finally, after years...
Joyology 101: Is Serendipity a Thing or Does God Really Have a Plan?

Joyology 101: Is Serendipity a Thing or Does God Really Have a Plan?

by myconcretedove | Feb 16, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living

Is a serendipity a thing? My friends, nothing happens by chance. God is always in control. I found two definitions for serendipity. From  Merriam Webster: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. From Google: the occurrence and...
Joyology 101: Bad habits, Good Habits, Who Gets to Decide?

Joyology 101: Bad habits, Good Habits, Who Gets to Decide?

by myconcretedove | Feb 15, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living, Prayer

I’ve developed some habits, and I guess I get to decide if they are good or bad by the outcomes. That’s if my eyes are open. Good – Reading my Bible in the morning. Bad – I put flavored creamer in my six cups of coffee every day. Good – I tell my family members...
Joyology 101: Being Joyful in God’s Creativity

Joyology 101: Being Joyful in God’s Creativity

by myconcretedove | Feb 14, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living

Creativity: the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. Think about the Artist of creation. After God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in it, He thought it still incomplete. Consider the beauty of our...
Joyology 101: Being Awestruck and Strengthened by Love

Joyology 101: Being Awestruck and Strengthened by Love

by myconcretedove | Feb 14, 2021 | #Write28Days, Christian, Joyful Living

Love is a strange thing. It doesn’t fit into any mold we’d imagine. I married a good man that I knew loved me. Ours wasn’t the traditional story. We had both experienced and been disappointed in love before. When we found each other, we took our time to be sure we...
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😌It's Mindful Monday. While formal mindfulness 😌It's Mindful Monday. While formal mindfulness meditation may be the goal, some of us aren't there yet. 👉#AmIright? (Who has time for meditation! Oh, I hear you, family caregiver.) But that doesn't mean we give up on mindfulness. No, we keep at it. ❓️Did you know you can start cultivating mindfulness, informally, in your daily living activities? ✅️ Check it out: According to Harvard Health (helpguide.org), "In addition to formal meditation, you can also cultivate mindfulness informally by focusing your attention on your moment-to-moment sensations during everyday activities. 🌟This is done by single-tasking—doing one thing at a time and giving it your full attention. As you floss your teeth, pet the dog, or eat an apple, slow down the process and be fully present as it unfolds and involves all of your senses." So many of us are multi-taskers. Consider becoming a single-tasker for at least for part of the day and see what happens. 🌿 reduced stress 🌿 improved mental & physical health 🌿 increased happiness Sounds worth it to me. (Ask me how I know.) 💜 The benefits of practicing mindfulness are too important for you not to give it a try. . . Are you a single-tasker or a multi-tasker? . . #mindfulcaregiving #mindfulnessmatters #caregiverstress⁠ #selfcareforcaregivers #caregiverselfcare #mindfulnessisselfcare #caringforparents⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #iamafamilycaregiver⁠ #iamacaregiver⁠ #beingmindful⁠ #takecareofyourself⁠ #mindfulnessmonday⁠ #mindfulnessmatters⁠ #enjoyyourday⁠ #mindfulmonday #mindfulliving #mindfullife Credit: Benefits of Mindfulness https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness
❓️Is it easy for you to ask for help? 💜 Be ❓️Is it easy for you to ask for help? 💜 Being a caregiver is a daily lesson in humility. We start out thinking this job is doable on our own. And it may well be for the short term. 😣 At some point, you’re likely to need help. You may just have to swallow your pride and ask for it because people don't typically offer. 🤔 But we have to remember they are not mind readers. 🤝 So, I encourage you t get used to asking for & accepting help. It gets easier with each "YES." 🫂And, remember this: it's easier to put a help team together before there's a crisis. So, start working on it now. 👐If you are not a family caregiver yet, please consider offering help to a caregiver you know. Be creative. There are lots of ways to help someone. . . And I'm here to help, too, friend. ❇️ Subscribe to Caregiver Stong, A monthly newsletter with self-care tips and encouragement for family caregivers (past, present, and future) because we're in this together 💜 . . Graphic credit: https://emergingyl.org/national-caregivers-month/ . . #CaregiverAnd #caregivers #caregivering #caregiverburnout #caregiverjourney #familycaregiver #caregiverlife #acceptinghelp #accepthelp #selfcareforcaregivers #thinkdifferently #caregiverstrong #newsletters #trusttheprocess🙏 #askingforhelp #familycaregiversmonth #familycaregiving
It's Mindful Monday again. I like to start my day It's Mindful Monday again. I like to start my day with the time in my bible and a short devotional. I might also check out the YouVersion verse of the day. Spending time with god helps me start my day in peaceful and thankful frame of mind. Now, I'm still a family caregiver, just not a 24/7, hands-on at the moment. Either way, I learned a long time ago that we need time to ourselves for ourselves. Please take that time. 💜November is family caregivers month. If you are a family caregiver, thank you for what you're doing. I know the days are hard sometimes. Please drop a 💜 in the comments so that I can pray for you. . . #mindfulmonday #mindfullliving #mindfulcaregiving #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulnessmatters #practicemindfulness #beingmindful #familycaregiversmonth #familycaregiving #iamafamilycaregiver #iamacaregiver #familycaregivers #prayerhelps #dailymindfulness
Did you remember that today Mindful Monday? I ac Did you remember that today Mindful Monday? I actually forgot it was Monday! Has that ever happened to you? I think it's because I usually walk with a friend on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. But because this is Thanksgiving week, we changed it to Monday and Friday. When I realized what I did... 👉 I paused for a moment , sat in my favorite rocker, and took a few minutes to thank God for the day, the friend I can walk with, and that family I'll get to see this week. 👉Then, I made myself a nice lunch. 👉Today's graphic suggests several ways to practice mindfulness. Give one a try and see what happens. It's never too late. 🦃Happy Thanksgiving🦃 . . Are you cooking or visiting this Thursday? . . #mindfulmonday #mindfullliving #mindfulcaregiving #livemindfully #livingmindfully #mindfulpractice #practicemindfulness #beingmindful⁠ #selfcare101⁠ #takecareofyourself⁠ #mindfulnessmonday⁠ #mindfulnessmatters⁠ #enjoyyourday⁠
𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤?⁠ ⁠ "Family caregivers provide care and assistance to a family member with limitations due to illness, injury or disability. The care recipient may have physical or developmental disabilities, or any situation (permanent or temporary) that means they need some level of assistance with daily living activities and other aspects of life." (https://caregiverdoc.com/national-family-caregivers-month/)⁠ ⁠ Family caregivers do all of this and more. AND did you know that they also:⁠ 🧕Aren't paid. ⁠ 🙋They often have to reduce hours at their paying job or leave it altogether.⁠ 👩🏻‍🦰They are often caring for a loved one while raising children.⁠ 🤕It's not unusual for a caregiver to become injured while caregiving.⁠ ⁠ And that's just the tip of the caregiving iceberg. ⁠ ⁠ ✨November is National Family Caregivers Month - Celebrate a family caregiver you know. Take a moment to call a caregiver you know. Acknowledge what they do and ask what you could do for them.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ Listen to the Caregiver Strong Podcast to learn more about family caregiving--Link in bio or on Spotify.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #caregiving⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #caregiverburnout⁠ #familycaregiversrock⁠ #iamacaregiver⁠ #caregiverstrong⁠ #caregiverjourney⁠ ⁠
𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐂 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤!⁠ ⁠ Tomorrow, it’s newsletter time! This month I’m sharing how to establish “Sticky Boundaries” for the holidays – Well, any day.⁠ ⁠ Have you ever thought of setting boundaries as a form of 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗-𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖? ⁠ ⁠ 👉️Sign up today and get your newsletter tomorrow, along with 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞.⁠ Link in bio.⁠ ⁠ ✨November is National Family Caregivers Month - Celebrate a family caregiver you know. Take a moment to call a caregiver you know. Acknowledge what they do and ask what you could do for them.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #caregivers⁠ #familycaregivers⁠ #caregiverselfcare⁠ #newsletter⁠ #monthlynewsletter⁠ #selfcareis⁠ #selfcareisnecessary⁠ #setgoodboundaries⁠ #holidayhacks⁠ #settingboundaries⁠ #sethealthyboundaries⁠ #iamacaregiver⁠ #caregiving⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #caregivingjourney⁠ ⁠
It's Mindful Monday⁠ ⁠ Ever feel like you're i It's Mindful Monday⁠ ⁠ Ever feel like you're in a fog of never-ending decisions, duties, and daily mundane tasks? I get it, family caregiver.⁠ ⁠ But try this and see if the fog clears:⁠ ⁠ 🍁Take a few minutes as soon as you can to sit quietly or play soft music if you need to and mindfully address your thoughts & feelings. ⁠ ⁠ 🍁Take a deep breath in, then out, and thank God that you can.⁠ ⁠ 🍁Thank God that you can make those decisions and for the guts to even make the hard ones.⁠ ⁠ 🍁Thank Him for giving you a sense of duty, and not regret, as you care for a loved one.⁠ ⁠ 🍁Be grateful that the mundane tasks aren't difficult. ⁠ ⁠ 🍁And thank God for being with you, giving you strength and wisdom, and always being with you through it all.⁠ ⁠ There's something about gratitude that changes everything.⁠ ⁠ Now that the fog has cleared, try naming one more thing you are thankful for today. ⁠ . .⁠ ✨November is National Family Caregivers Month - Celebrate a family caregiver you know. Take a moment to call or text them. Acknowledge what they do and ask what you could do for them.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #mindfulmonday⁠ #mindfullnessmatters⁠ #attitudeofgratitude⁠ #whatareyouthankfulfor⁠ #bethankful #caregiverselfcare⁠ #mindfulnessisselfcare⁠ #mindfullliving #mindfulmonday #mindfulcaregiving #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulnessmatters #mindfullymade #themindfulnessproject #beingmindful #bemindful #trustjesus #familycaregiversmonth #familycaregiving
❤️Another Mindful Monday. I love the front c ❤️Another Mindful Monday. I love the front cover of my planner! It reminds me that I have a choice about how my day goes, and so do you. 👎We could dwell on our challenges, OR 👍we could mindfully dwell on something else, like... "what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8, NLT) 💜Family caregiver, it's easy for us to think about the troubles weighing us down. I know there may be many. But don't choose the easy way today. ☕️Instead, settle yourself down with a cup of coffee or tea and take a few minutes to concentrate on the true, honorable, pure, and lovely things right in front of you. And if you lose sight of them later, look to Jesus to lift you up, and He will do it. ❓️Let me know-Will you choose to mindfully make today amazing? . . . #mindfullliving #mindfulmonday #mindfulcaregiving #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulnessmatters #mindfullymade #themindfulnessproject #beingmindful #bemindful #trustjesus #familycaregiversmonth #familycaregiving #familycaregivers
November Family Caregivers Month 💜Hug a family November Family Caregivers Month 💜Hug a family caregiver you know. Drop them a card, buy them flowers, or bring them a meal. 👉Offer to help because they probably won't ask you. 🎉Celebrate the good work they do in some way. Do you know a family caregiver? . . . #familycaregiversmonth #familycaregiving #familycaregivers #familycaregiversupport #CaregiverAppreciation #caregiverstrong
For the family caregiver who needs to hear this to For the family caregiver who needs to hear this today, and everyday. Need I say more? . . . #familycaregiving #familycaregivers #CaregiverAnd #caregivers #caregiverquotes #caregiverstrong #caregiversrock #careforcaregivers #strongandcourageous
NEW BOOK-Empty Nest Awakening Chapter 9 takeaway - NEW BOOK-Empty Nest Awakening Chapter 9 takeaway - God's ripple effect ❤️ I am loving this book! You still have something important to do even after the kids have moved out. Even if you are still a caregiver. You are still you, and you have something to offer. So, if you are letting fear stop you from doing something new or trying something you've always wanted to try, ➡️swipe to see what Ruthie Gray has to say about it at the end of chapter 9. ❓️Don't you want to be part of God's ripple effect? . . . ✅️ Get your copy-- @ruthie_gray_author . . Photo credit: Jan-Willem https://unsplash.com . . . #emptynestawakening #emptynesterlife #rippleeffect #doitafraid #newbookrelease #booklaunching #stillyou #youarestillyou #onestepforward #trustgodtowriteyourstory #caregiverstrong
What is mindfulness anyway? According to Oxford What is mindfulness anyway? According to Oxford Languages, mindfulness is: a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. Honestly, who doesn't need a little therapy once in a while? Set aside some time to give it a try. This we can do in the comfort of our own home. . . #31daysofselfcare⁠ #caregivinglife⁠ #selfcareisapriority⁠ #selfcareis⁠ #caringforparents⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #iamafamilycaregiver⁠ #iamacaregiver⁠ #beingmindful⁠ #selfcare101⁠ #takecareofyourself⁠ #mindfulnessmonday⁠ #mindfulnessmatters⁠ #enjoyyourday⁠ #mindfullliving #mindfulmonday #mindfulmondays #mindfullymade #mindfulcaregiving
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