Caregiving and Bridge Building

As we continue to look at April’s theme of “My Place in the World,” we can’t ignore that the world can be a very divisive place. Racism, politics, religious beliefs, and many other factors are dividing people from one another in today’s society. In such an environment, if we are able to build bridges that help us learn, share, and tolerate others’ viewpoints, we can recognize that different isn’t bad, it’s just different. That knowledge can lead to a healthier outlook for all of us, and it’s why bridging differences is our topic for this week.

While we may feel like experts in our own lived experiences, we may also struggle to understand experiences that are outside our worldview. If we have never been exposed to something, we may not know how we feel about it. Bridge building is all about having more conversations, gaining greater understanding, and improving our empathy for one another.

When you think about it, caregivers are particularly suited for bridge building. Often, our role requires us to understand what it is like to be in someone else’s shoes. When we do this, we are using empathy – the ability to understand, share, and tolerate the feelings of others. Using our very best caregiver empathy, we can extend this ability to truly listen to those we perceive as different from ourselves – to connect to their emotions, recognize their strengths, and support their potential.

When we express empathy, we create solidarity with others. It is a way of saying, “I understand how you feel, and I’m here to support you in your feelings.” Empathy is an essential part of healthy relationships, and it helps create balance in our lives.

I can remember many experiences in my life that made me feel as if I didn’t belong. Remembering these experiences allows me to have greater empathy, care, and concern for others who also may have similar feelings. And as someone who is a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress, I remain committed to truly listen to others with the goal of bridging our differences.

Even among caregivers, the roles and responsibilities are different for each person who fills those shoes. As caregivers, we may feel comforted by knowing others have faced some of the same challenges that we have, but we can also support and learn from those who have had different experiences. We hope Courage to Caregivers can serve as a bridge builder by creating a community of caregivers who feel safe and included, no matter what they have experienced. All caregivers, including YOU, are welcome and valued here.