A Caregiver’s Meditation

(For Parent Care)

It doesn’t matter how this path found you.

You may have entered oblivious or unprepared, but this journey will demand intention. If only to not fight with your siblings. And the best intentions need the support of a compassionate stance (including compassion for yourself).

(BTW: No matter how you respond, it will be ok.)

It doesn’t matter what your relationship is like.

You may have successfully set a fixed position separate from you parents. Or, they may be long integrated in your life with established ways of interacting with them, managing each other’s expectations, and loving them. Or Not. Yet, this journey can open your heart and surprise you.

It doesn’t matter how well you have been coping.

You may be distracted by your life and holding some fine balance. You may be drawn to take on and solve the difficult problems. Or, you feel completely lost and powerless. Regardless, some event is definitely going to get your attention and you will be pulled into an overwhelming moment -whether you are ready or not.

It’s OK. Take a breath. and when it all seems impossible, this is the way through:

“Take a breath, know your intention, Be now, Open your Heart, Surrender to the Moment.”

The Meditation

Take a breath, as you exhale:

Know your intention – “I am here to:

• Be responsible”
• Calm, aid, and keep safe”
• Ensure support and improve quality of life”
• Simply witness”
• Or however your form it”

Take a breath. As you exhale:

Be Now! -And open to not knowing:

• What may (or may not) be said
• How it will be said
• How it feels to hear it
• What is being called
• What response might arise in you

Take a breath. As you exhale:

Open your Heart -Bring compassion forth:

• For the imperfect individual to whom you listen
• For yourself, an imperfect listener
• To hear, to listen, to take in, to absorb,
• To feel as much and as deep as you can

Take a breath. As you exhale:

Surrender to the Moment.

• Free yourself from judgment and
• Accept your helplessness to prevent, mitigate, or solve the problem at hand
• Feel what you feel without attachment
• Know your Presence has strength, even in helplessness

Take a breath, know your intention, Be now, Open your Heart, Surrender to the Moment. 

Don’t worry about getting it right. Parent Care will give you plenty of opportunity to

• Practice breathing
• Practice Being Now
• Practice Opening your heart
• Practice Surrender

Actually, it demands it.

© 2018 Rob Fellows, Parent Care Consulting

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