Caregiving is a role often associated with failure to take oneself into account. The patient comes first; your needs second (or never). But there is a danger associated with this loss of self. Widow Claire Strandberg speaks of the necessity for all of us to care for ourselves by cherishing our own lives.
"When I talk with people I entreat them to care for their own life, individually first and together second. When your work comes first, where is your life? If your spouse comes first, and they leave or die, where is your life? If children are your life, and they move out as they must into their own life, where is your life? My life is larger than each of these primary relationships, and I must learn to care for my life, nurture, nourish, relish, love it dearly, for under God no one else can live it for me."
The first step on the path to self-nurturing begins with self-awareness; a heightened sense of ourselves as worthy of having a meaningful life; of being true to our own calling; our own passion. The alternative to this journey of self-discovery is to be forever attached to the wheel of suffering.
So, how do we move beyond suffering? How do we take the leap from merely talking about caring for ourselves and genuinely embracing self-awareness and self-nurturing?
The first step is to acknowledge
that we are more than our roles. The next step is to recognize
the intricate relationship of those parts of us that need nurturing:
Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit. 
Each of us has a profound capacity for self-care. Meditation and visioning are just a couple of the tools that help us tap into this unique gift and reach a higher level of self-awareness.
Meditation -- taking time to reflect in solitude -- takes us within ourselves, and allows us to hear our inner voice. It is only in this quiet space that we can find harmony and clarity in times of upheaval and confusion.
Remember: Before we can achieve it, we first must conceive it. Visualizing and the use of guided imagery show us the way, bringing us closer to our full potential as individuals. And, by following our passion, by being true to ourselves, we ultimately enhance compassion, which is the very basis for effective caregiving.
When we create the circle of self-nurture through attention to body, mind, emotions and spirit, we embrace the wisdom of the heart. Navigating this inner journey moves us from personal crisis to the awakened and whole person God intended us to be.
