Take. Create. Make. You must create the space, make and take the time to care for your body. Your body needs rest. You need time to restore. You need time to reflect. And while I am typing, here is a side note; “When you rest your body properly, you gain more clarity on things. You are more creative and you have better or new ideas. You come up with new solutions to problems.” In my spiritual opinion, it’s easier for Spirit to speak to you, bring you dreams. In my scientific opinion, the brain and body needs adequate time to catch up, process, “life” and when it does it functions better. All of it. The brain and the body and all of it’s systems functions better with adequate rest.

We’ve had respite care for my dad for the last two weeks. This is the third and final week they will be there. I am sad. But, I am glad I will have had three weeks to rest my body and mind from 7pm to 7am. It’s not just the physical rest that has taken place, it’s the mental as well. There have been no arguments between the two parents from 7pm-7am. I truly give thanks for this. Yes, there has been drama in the day time but, it confirmed to me what I already know. They will need night care at least 5 days a week.

Meanwhile, this respite care that happened because my mom had surgery, has lead me to think clearer when asked to do things I don’t want to do or things that interrupt or create chaos to my plans. I have said NO with clarity because I can see how when I am tired I tend to think, “I may as well do it or say yes because no one care about me anyways. No one cares about my plans, my feelings, my body, my life!” and it spirals from there. I think things like may as well give up my dreams and goals. But when I am refreshed and in the clear, I think NO. I think call one of the other siblings. I think and say those things like, “I am out doing things for me today. I am not coming back that way anytime soon and I will not interrupt my plans for a non-emergency. You can call the siblings or a young adult grandchild that will help.” I am clear headed enough to say, “You guys need to plan ahead and stick with it as much as possible. When you don’t, it disrupts everyone’s lives and that isn’t fair to us and our families.” When I am well rested, when I see indecision or inability to make decisions, I make the the call (decision or plan) for them. And that has been a huge problem as their brain abilities to make decisions slows with aging and on mental illnesses or mental health issues. When I am anxious, worried or experiencing depression, it is a challenge to make simple decisions.

I’m rambling a bit but, I just want to tell whether you are a caregiver or not, because maybe you have something or someone, or fear creating chaos in your life, YOU MATTER. YOUR HOPES, DREAMS, GOALS, FAMILY, LIFE, FREAKING MATTER!!!!! Rest your body. Make it happen often. You will be glad you did.

~Nikki