As we start to wind down for 2022 and prepare for the holiday festivities, let us all take a moment to take deep, big, soothing, and purposeful breaths – physically, mentally and emotionally. One meaningful activity you can do for yourself and for someone is practicing and focusing on gratitude.
An Inexpensive Yet Meaningful Gift that You and Your Loved One Can Enjoy
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on gifts. Instead, why not take a little bit of incremental time during the day, everyday, to write something you are grateful for as a gift for your loved one? You can even do this together.
You can write each one on small pieces of stationery (which you can purchase inexpensively at a dollar store), place it in a box and give it as a gift for your loved one this Christmas. You may also want to assist your loved one with creating some of these gratitude scripts for others.
If you want to be more fun and creative, you can place these little pieces of paper containing your gratitude messages, rolled up or folded in a clear jar together with some string of Christmas lights. Once you get started, you may notice that the creative part of your mind will become activated and excited to come up with your own creative ideas!
This simple activity can be a very soothing and bonding experience for you and your loved one.
Ho’oponopono
According to Wikipedia, Ho’oponopono “is a traditional Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness.” The Hawaiian word translates into English simply as “correction.”
Ho’oponopono is a form of prayer that contains the following phrases chanted or recited repeatedly (roughly translated):
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
I thank you.
I love you.
The Islanders of Hawaii believe that the practice of Ho’oponopono, particularly, for family members, is a means to correct, to make amends and rectify relationships.
Having humility and taking ownership (“I am sorry”) when we make a mistake, followed by a genuine act of asking for forgiveness (“Please forgive me”), mends relationships. Gratitude (“I thank you”) and saying “I love you,” are words we can’t hear often enough.
Practicing Ho’oponopono for yourself
Last but not least, we would like to remind all family caregivers to also apply the practice of Ho’oponopono toward yourself. Start now by saying:
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.
… and remember to take deep, releasing and purposeful breaths each time. Do this as often as you need to really feel and have an emotional connection to the words. You know you deserve it!
Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, memorable, meaningful and happy holidays!
Karen Tyrell CPCA, CDCP is a Dementia Consultant, Educator, Author & Advocate, and Founder of Personalized Dementia Solutions Inc. (www.DementiaSolutions.ca). Karen offers her expertise on dementia care through speaking engagements, workshops, support groups and by working one-on-one with families and caregivers to provide emotional support and practical solutions. She was also on the design team for The Village Langley and provides ongoing education to the Village team, families and the community.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this blog are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional.
