HUMOR IS A GOAL

In my book, How To Be A Parent For Your Parent, I begin with a quote from Victor Borge:  “Humor is something that thrives between man’s aspirations and his limitations.  There is more logic in humor than in anything else.  Because, you see, humor is truth.”

         

The truth of the matter is that life always brings us the unexpected.   We ask the universe ‘why me!”  We believe we are powerless and there is no planning for these events.  That isn’t so.   What will fortify us against life’s events ‘just happening,’ is a sense of humor and an of attitude flexibility.

Humor gives us sense of balance because we learn to see our own human shortcomings and eccentricities with a lighter heart.  When we know ourselves to be susceptible to imperfection, our basis for judging others is less severe.  We know that “But for the grace of God, go I.”

Flexibility allows us to bend and not break before the winds of the unexpected.  It allows us to look more quickly for another solution, a better point of view, and a new way of thinking.  When life ‘happens’, we are better equipped to make new plans, handle whatever mess there is, and get on with our lives.

During the job of parenting your parent, there may possibly be many truths that you hadn’t notice before – truths about your parents, your family and yourself.  Some of these will be life lessons.  They won’t always be comfortable, pleasant or easy.  Seeing them with a lighter heart, however, will expand your ability to handle them more smoothly. 

A lighter heart eases the burden and allows truth to have its place without rancor.

What you need to know first

Check out the EBook at www.howtobeaparentforyourparent.com

Manuals on Care giving are in short supply but with the internet information is now more available and you have to research.  Theories are everywhere.  Caregivers often feel over whelmed and frozen in place because the responsibility of taking care of their parent is emotionally draining. This leads to a very stressful existence.  Anything and every thing you can do to reduce your stress is paramount in helping yourself take care of your parent.

Know that you do have the right to the best information!  Insist upon it.  Doctors and health care facilitators may be the professionals, but you are the one in the line of fire.  Ask about the medications.  Ask if there are side affects.  Always ask what the options are.  When you can think of no other questions, ask what questions you need to be asking.  Moreover, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. 

When you’re at the doctors, take notes and keep them in a notebook.  Keep track of what tests were done, what the results were, and if the medications were change and why.  Four months down the road you won’t remember what was said or done at this appointment and you may want to.

The more information and knowledge you have, the greater your power and control over your circumstances.  This will translate into less stress for you.