Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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One's GiftsEach of us has unique God given Gifts including our abilities, skills, temperaments, and attributes! One has the ability to create and balance a budget; another can chat happily with strangers; and a third can cook up a truly tasty meal! and another can speak to groups and sell them on a new idea!

In striving to improve the overall quality of our service to others and in our caregiving, especially; we should draw on those unique gifts and use them in unique ways as we interact with those we care for. 

For instance, if you like to cook and can create a delicious soup: make it and give it to a person or persons served. They will appreciate both the soup, but also your obvious pleasure in doing so!

How identify your Gifts?

First, recall at least three times you did something and were both pleased and believe what you did was well done.

Write each recalled event or encounter as if you were telling a story to a good friend and then circle all the action verbs you took such as “balanced our family checkbook by verifying each entry” or “devised a new way to add to our church membership by visiting community shelters to speak publicly about what our church could offer them and also meeting them on their first visit.”

How about the time you successfully organized a large family reunion? You can use organizational talents in helping most community agencies as a volunteer.

Circle all the action verbs in your three stories and your ability to do those things could used in more innovative caregiving activites with those you serve!

Lastly: review your Gift stories yearly to confirm that that your newly refined caregiving approach is still on target.

Once you follow these steps, your can truly offer the best level of caregiving, will become your new normal level!

We are all caregivers one to another!

Terry Chapman PhD

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2 responses to “It’s All Caregiving!”

  1. Liz Wessel Avatar
    Liz Wessel

    Thanks Terry for your reflection, i especially appreciate the guidance you offer on identifying one’s gifts

    Like

  2. Erie Chapman Avatar
    Erie Chapman

    Caregivers taking care of caregivers. Nice job, Terry.

    Like

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