Recognizing Our Weaknesses

"Our strength will continue if we allow ourselves the courage to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable."
Melody Beattie

Happy Spring!  For much of the northern hemisphere, having spring arrive is very welcome this year, as it has been a rough winter.  Just like the seasons, we must experience and honor all feelings to have more access to the better-feeling feelings.  In the above quote, Melody Beattie says we will find our strength and it will grow, when we allow ourselves to feel scared, weak and vulnerable.  That is true of all feelings.  We experience more joy when we allow ourselves to feel deep sadness.  We cannot have one end of the continuum of emotions, without honoring and experiencing the other end of the continuum.  What this can mean for caregivers, and all humans, is to allow ourselves to feel weak and scared in front of the devastating disease that has our loved one in its grips.  In doing this, we will find the strength to continue.