Caring

        Caring requires some thought but mostly it requires compassion. We can take the aspect of compassion and feel it as an inner emotion or we can act on it and extend it outward. We care about so many things and our sympathies can run very deep. When we care, it can be overwhelming. We want to make a difference and the requests and stories that come to us can be frustrating as we pick and choose which one to help. At times the frustration takes over and we simply give up or numb ourselves, perhaps even thinking that one person cannot make a difference. It is at times such as this, that we must step back, take a breather and re-wind our key to the feelings that lock up our emotions inside.

        It is fortunate when we can reach out to others by sending financial aid and sometimes in the busy scheme of things we pat ourselves on the back that we have found the time to do something at all. Often we need to bring our caring into a smaller focus. We want to extend and help and distance should not be a barrier but often we forget to look at what or who is close at hand. Perhaps we know someone who is struggling, someone who is ill or taking care of someone ill, of someone grieving or experiencing the loss of a job that defined their life. How can we help? There is no one way. The caring and the giving has to fit the individual. It doesn't have to be something large or a big gesture, it can be a small token or a small helpful action. Whether we care for the animal kingdom or humans or children or adults, it is important to keep the center for caring active and in use. If you feel that you are extending too much, pull back for awhile without guilt. Perhaps the caring needs to be toward yourself. We always forget that we need to include ourselves among those who need care. If we are always looking outward and never focus on our own needs, then we can run dry and become numb with, seemingly, nothing to give. Always include self in your list of recipients of your care packages. It is not selfish, it is essential for balanced health and for balanced giving. As you fill the need you have for yourself, you will find that there is a smoother action involved in the giving to others.