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Janice Walton's avatar

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that can calm anxious feelings, especially if we are caring for others, be they children, older parents, or a partner with health issues.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

working on my meditation skills

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Nancy, Me, too - truth be told I have a ways to go.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

Me too!! It's hard to get in the "mindful" frame of mind.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

Janice, are you still practicing?

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Janice Walton's avatar

yes - and making it more of a priority.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

Do you ever do consults? I am a criminal defense attorney and many of my clients are just so deeply troubled and scarred by their past, which is usually neglect/abuse/parental drug use.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Nancy, Thanks so much for asking. Understandably, your clients have deep therapy issues, and I am no longer licensed to counsel. In the near future, I am planning to have an email coaching program for people caring for a loved one, which focuses on solutions and ways to manage the self and the patient in their particular situation. I don't know if that would be helpful to them or not.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

Knowledge and caring are always helpful, my friend! When someone has nothing, even a crumb is a kingdom.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Nancy, So, true. The email coaching program launches in about a month - and your clients are welcome to subscribe - if it seems like a fit. I include a caveat that this is a focus on solutions, not counseling. There is a small cost and a limited number of spaces. An introductory letter is coming out soon. If that doesn't work, they have easy access to the newsletter, which can also provide temporary support. Thanks so much.

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nancy knox-bierman's avatar

Thank you!! I will keep my eyes open for your letter.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

The only meditation I do is walk in the woods. It combines forest therapy and moving meditation, otherwise I can't sit still.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Beautiful Janice. Thanks so much. Let me say that sometimes when worry overwhelms me, I also try humor. It resolves nothing, I admit, but can really give me a break from worrying for just a short time. Here is one example that I believe you will like -- a short talk from The Moth. ( The Moth being an excellent source of humor and sharing of the human condition in general.) Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/XVg_Gw8vJXM?si=bEpJShJdKe3u-Tyi

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Janice Walton's avatar

He is very funny - tells a great story. I loved it.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Sharron, Your point is well taken - I am actually trying to change my relationship with humor - it's a little late perhaps, but why not? Thanks so much for the link - I will watch it tonight.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

This is an excellent article Janice, thank you! Mindfulness is one of the most powerful practices, I can see how it would help in a caregiver situation. Invoking that practice allows for a little space between what is happening and what’s going on in our head, I find it helps decrease reactivity.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Donna, Than you so much. It seems to be a wonderful tool to have in one's pocket.

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