Peace

"When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy." The Dalai Lama

What if the above statement is true?  Well, that would mean that we could not blame other people or any circumstances for our own happiness.  It would mean that the quality of our lives was our own responsibility and not dependent on any outside circumstances.  When we, as caregivers, get frustrated, which is only natural, let us remember that the quality of our lives is up to us.  How do we practice this?  Some ways that help are to practice gratitude.  Are you still writing down 3 miracles you see in your every day life?  Having this practice helps us to look for the miracles, to look for the positive things occurring in our lives.  We can choose to see either the positive or the negative in our lives.  This does not mean we pretend the negative aspects are not there; it just means that our focus is on finding the positive among the many attributes of any experience in life.  I took Dwane to a concert recently.  He had said he wanted to go, but I noticed his eyes were closed during most of the concert.  He complained his chair was too hard, and then that his legs were numb.  It seems we are in the stage of Lewy Bodies Dementia where he still wants to do things, but the body is not supportive of the activity.  People asked me if he enjoyed it.  I have no idea, but exposure to music is good for the brain and it was good for him to get out into different settings.  I think he did enjoy the dinner beforehand.  Will I take him again?  Not sure.  But I do not regret taking him.  The music was good, it was well received, and I got him in and out of the crowd without incidents.  Perhaps The Dalai Lama is right:  peace and joy spring from within us and we have the power to choose the attitudes that support their flourishing.