In last week’s blog, Benefit of the Doubt, I included the following anonymous quote:
“You cannot control everything that happens to you; you can only control the way you respond to what happens. In your response is your power.”
Like the five others before, I wrote the blog in early April. In the last few days, it is mid-May, my inner voice has reminded me to revisit this quote.
I am experiencing stressors created by circumstances outside of my control. And because of the events and sources making the stressors, I find myself faced with similar demands and feelings of grief that swamped me when my husband passed.
And, to be raw and real, I am having difficulty managing my reactions, which compounds my physical, emotional, and mental pain, grief, and loss.
I recognize what I am experiencing because of my past. And, because of what I learned during my caregiving and the demands that followed afterward, I will walk the healthier path I talked about in my book for caregivers, You’re Not Alone.
I am going to put my blog posting on pause. I do not know if this will be for a few weeks, a month, or longer, but I will return. As time and energy allow, I will be writing during this pause time, as it is one of the ways I process and nurture myself. I will continue to post on IG and FB, although likely less consistently, so you can follow me there.
I need to focus on self-compassion and self-nurturing so that I can control my responses and provide compassionate care and effective problem-solving. As part of this, I will be reading, as a caregiver, my copy of You’re Not Alone so its messages can support, guide, and encourage me during this difficult time.
I do not yet know what awaits me; the circumstances continue to evolve and change. But what I do know is that the compassionate connection I feel with this community will help me during this difficult time.
While I navigate this journey, I invite you to reread my previous blog posts and send me messages (hello@judystrand.com or via IG or FB).
My reminder to you, dear friend, is that you’re not alone. You are not on this unearthing journey by yourself. There will be what feels like setbacks, but they are not; these times are indicators of your progress.
My friend, you are amazing, and you’ve got this. And so do I.
xoxo,
Judy
