A meditation for the overwhelmed caregiver.
This meditation is for those who have found themselves thrust into the role of caregiver.
While it may be true you agreed to show up and take over the care of someone else,
That doesn't mean it is easy.
That doesn't mean you won't be overwhelmed at times.
That doesn't mean you don't wish it could be different.
What it most likely does mean is that you may be feeling an exhausting array of emotions,
Ones you may not be used to experiencing.
While there are emotional gifts to knowing you are helping another person,
Those positive feelings can quickly depart as the enormity of this new responsibility takes hold of your awareness.
This meditation is for those times when you are at the end of your rope,
When your coping skills seem to have dried up,
When all you want to do is run away.
Although it might be added this meditation experienced routinely may help you to avoid it getting to that point.
So you may want to make this part of your day to day routine.
With that in mind,
Let us begin.
For this meditation,
We will start by bringing our attention to the individual that is being cared for.
Bring her or him into your mind's eye.
As you see or sense them in front of you,
Allow yourself to run through all the tasks they can no longer do for themselves and that you now find yourself in charge of.
As the list is forming,
Take a moment to notice any thoughts,
Feelings,
Emotions you may be experiencing in your body,
Mind,
Spirit,
And especially on a soul level.
Also,
As you see this person,
Perhaps a family member or a neighbor or even a client if you are a paid caregiver,
Recognize they most likely are not there.
Most likely are not very happy about their decline.
Recognize that most likely most of this is out of their control.
Let us send them a blessing and then release them from our gaze at this time.
In the next few breaths,
As you allow for deep,
Deep breathing,
In and out.
In and out.
Shift your awareness and begin to imagine that within your heart,
A beautiful sphere of golden light appears,
Warming you and offering support.
As you feel the light,
You may choose to place your hands over the center of your chest and bask in this warmth.
Let this healing golden light enter all the cracks and crevices of your being.
While you may feel the compassion for the one you care for,
This time is about compassion and appreciation for you.
Soak in the rays of light,
Letting them replenish and rejuvenate you.
If you sense any resentment,
Anger,
Frustration,
Guilt or any other deep emotion rising to the surface,
Acknowledge these are normal,
Given the sacrifice you are making.
Don't try to ignore these feelings or thoughts,
But also don't react or lash out when they occur.
Giving these legitimate feelings and thoughts appropriate recognition is the healthier road to take.
And so for this time now,
Let us do the following.
Please repeat after me.
I am allowed my feeling of anger.
I am allowed my feeling of frustration.
I am allowed my feeling of resentment.
I am allowed my feeling of guilt.
And now take a moment to add any other emotion that you personally have noticed.
And just use the line,
I am allowing my feeling of.
Breathing in and breathing out.
Begin to notice if any tears might be welling up at this time,
As they very well may be.
Allow them to fall.
If you need to pause this recording and tend to your tears gently.
And now take the next few breaths to even more fully recognize the enormity of your caregiving role.
As you allow this sphere of golden light to gently subside,
Recognize you have just taken much needed time to care for you.
As has been said many times before,
You can't give what you don't have.
So resolve to take these caregiving moments regularly.
In the spirit of self care,
Affirm to yourself,
Not only do I show up to care for those others who need my help.
I also include myself on the needs care list.
I affirm I will stop often check in and minister to my needs as well.
At the same time,
Please realize time is limited,
And there may be days when there are too many tasks to compete complete.
In the same spirit as honoring your own care needs.
Also honor that you can only do what you can do.
And in this period,
Allow yourself to breathe this in.
And now,
As we prepare to end this meditation,
Let's take a moment to say to each other,
Good work.
Take it deeply.
Accept this compliment.
And feel the warmth of this you moment.
Savor the sense of replenishment.
Taking one last deep breath.
Open your eyes,
Fully ready to resume your day.
Thank you.
