We have opportunities every day to make the ordinary extraordinary. This can happen when we take time to be "in the moment". Sometimes we get so wrapped up in work, worries, and more that we forget to enjoy life. We become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a caregiver...whether we are caring for our children or caring for a senior with dementia. We all know the tremendous amount of work and worry that goes in to both of those jobs.
What would happen if you let go of those reins you hold so tightly and just let loose for a while? Would the world come to an end? Some of the most fun I have had is looking at the world through the eyes of my grandchildren and the seniors I work with. They both look at things from a completely different perspective. Have you ever taken a walk with a four year old? You have to slow down to see the beautifully colored butterfly floating by, or that rock with the fascinating fossils, or the wondrous shapes hidden in the clouds! For the four year old, each one of these things is brand new and magical. My seniors are the same way...they find joy in the moment! I think they often looks at things as magical because they know it could be the last time they get to see or enjoy whatever it is. It may be something beautiful or it could be something as simple as the laughter of a child or a puppy visiting our building. It may be a visit from a family member they haven't seen for a long time.
Think about the wonder of bubbles glimmering in the summer breeze. It is something so simple,,,practically free, but the colors floating on the bubbles, the suspended breath as you wait to see if the bubble pops or if it goes higher until it is out of sight, seeing how large a bubble you can make before it pops, trying to catch it again on the bubble wand. The possibilities in those bubbles are endless...because you are enjoying the moment!
Think about the smell of cookies baking. They don't even have to be made from scratch anymore. You can buy them pre-made and just spread them on the cookie sheet and bake. Then as you open that oven, the wonderful aroma of warm cookies overwhelms you...your mouth starts to water...you can't wait to have that first bite while the cookies are still warm and soft. You are enjoying the moment!
Remember grandma's button box and how much you enjoyed looking at all those different buttons, imagining what kind of dress or shirt they might have been on. I always loved the feel of running my fingers through those buttons and the kind of musty smell of that old button box. Do grandma's even have button boxes any more? Well, they should because there is magic in those boxes!
These are just a few examples of enjoying the moment. Why don't you and your person with dementia take a little time to find your own moments to enjoy? See what wonders you will find and what memories will surface. You just might be surprised when you enjoy the moment. Let me know how it feels!
What would happen if you let go of those reins you hold so tightly and just let loose for a while? Would the world come to an end? Some of the most fun I have had is looking at the world through the eyes of my grandchildren and the seniors I work with. They both look at things from a completely different perspective. Have you ever taken a walk with a four year old? You have to slow down to see the beautifully colored butterfly floating by, or that rock with the fascinating fossils, or the wondrous shapes hidden in the clouds! For the four year old, each one of these things is brand new and magical. My seniors are the same way...they find joy in the moment! I think they often looks at things as magical because they know it could be the last time they get to see or enjoy whatever it is. It may be something beautiful or it could be something as simple as the laughter of a child or a puppy visiting our building. It may be a visit from a family member they haven't seen for a long time.
Think about the wonder of bubbles glimmering in the summer breeze. It is something so simple,,,practically free, but the colors floating on the bubbles, the suspended breath as you wait to see if the bubble pops or if it goes higher until it is out of sight, seeing how large a bubble you can make before it pops, trying to catch it again on the bubble wand. The possibilities in those bubbles are endless...because you are enjoying the moment!
Think about the smell of cookies baking. They don't even have to be made from scratch anymore. You can buy them pre-made and just spread them on the cookie sheet and bake. Then as you open that oven, the wonderful aroma of warm cookies overwhelms you...your mouth starts to water...you can't wait to have that first bite while the cookies are still warm and soft. You are enjoying the moment!
Remember grandma's button box and how much you enjoyed looking at all those different buttons, imagining what kind of dress or shirt they might have been on. I always loved the feel of running my fingers through those buttons and the kind of musty smell of that old button box. Do grandma's even have button boxes any more? Well, they should because there is magic in those boxes!
These are just a few examples of enjoying the moment. Why don't you and your person with dementia take a little time to find your own moments to enjoy? See what wonders you will find and what memories will surface. You just might be surprised when you enjoy the moment. Let me know how it feels!
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