I know I sometimes tend to focus too much on the "Big Picture” rather than appreciating the smaller accomplishments of our every-day life. The larger picture is definitely important, don’t get me wrong, but if we properly appreciated the things we do accomplish in the course of a day, I think we would be happily surprised! Simple things like safely driving a loved one to an appointment, reassuringly talk to family or friends about the rampant fear and paranoia associated with the current Covid virus and how to deal with the stress it causes, taking the dog for a walk or creating a special meal for someone in your life.
These are not especially important acts or are they? I would like to argue that they are indeed important for at least two reasons. The first and probably most important reason is you get a chance to make a loved one’s life easier by your compassionate action. Secondly, If you also do it with loving kindness as the motivation, it makes the action even stronger on both the giver and the receiver!
These are just a few of the many things we do on a daily basis that we probably don’t fully acknowledge ourselves for. I’m sure that there are many different examples in your own life, too. They are all accomplishments, just in and of themselves. Add these things together, in the course of a day, and you may be pleasantly surprised. Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it!
In my own life, I work as a compassionate caregiver. I get to see many different families who are caring for loved ones, usually at home. Most of the loved ones have had distinguished careers. Most, also, cannot physically do what they did at an earlier age. Some take it in stride with a positive attitude and some fight it. That’s why I think it’s so important to acknowledge the smaller things that you can do. Even if someone is limited in what they used to be able do, it doesn’t mean that they have to give up on appreciating what they can do. It’s our job, as caregivers of loved ones, to help them appreciate these smaller actions in every-day life.
Also, in my own life, I am the advocate/ mentor for a family of 4 brothers, the Sanchez family (I invite you to read my earlier blogs about each one of them. “Jesus Sanchez”, “Cesar Sanchez”, “Manuel Sanchez” and “Miguel Sanchez” for more details). I take notice of small accomplishments in each of the young men’s lives. In some cases, small accomplishments are all there are. Why not make an effort to acknowledge these accomplishments and allow them to feel good about themselves? It’s a win – win situation!
When I’m nice to myself, I also notice what I have accomplished in the course of the day. And you know what, it’s usually very satisfying. I am blessed!
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