Posts in Collaboration
NOVEMBER 2024 Newsletter: Collaboration Makes Us Stronger
NOVEMBER 2024 Newsletter: Collaboration Makes Us Stronger

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Caregiving can feel incredibly isolating. As caregivers, particularly mental illness caregivers, we can sometimes feel as if we do not have the right to tell our stories since they are really our loved ones' stories of living with mental illness or other chronic and serious illnesses. Additionally, when surrounded by people we feel "do not understand," it's easy to feel judged or shamed for our choices. Finding a space where we can be vulnerable or authentic can be challenging and, at times, feel downright impossible.

Fortunately, we are not alone. Courage to Caregivers is dedicated to bringing together caregivers to create a community of CARE. We are here to support you - as a caregiver - as YOU - in your personal growth journey towards greater health and well-being.  When you take care of yourself (too), you provide better care to those you love.  

This month, we have explored how we can better collaborate with those around us through MANAGING our perceptions, AVOIDING comparing and despairing, and FINDING gratitude. Remember, you are never alone. 

3 TOOLS FOR COLLABORATION:

  1. Practice Active Listening - By listening to understand rather than to respond, we can better connect with those around us.

  2. Be Empathetic - By feeling "with" others rather than "for," we can more strongly understand where people are coming from.

  3. Ask for What You Need - By being specific about what we need from the people who want to be there for us, we can help others in supporting ourselves.

Check out our entire November newsletter focused on Collaboration here.

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude, Managing Perceptions, Compare and Despair
The Power of Forgiveness and Gratitude
The Power of Forgiveness and Gratitude

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. It opens the door to forgiveness, compassion, and serenity.” – Robert A. Emmons

When things get rough and nothing seems to be going our way, taking time to reflect on things we’re grateful for can often lift our spirits. And when we’re feeling resentment toward the actions of others, being able to show some forgiveness can help us feel better. But forgiveness and gratitude are far more than temporary actions that might help us get through difficult moments in our lives. They can be powerful tools for driving personal growth and healing troubled relationships.

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude
Practice Compassion, Not Comparison
Practice Compassion, Not Comparison

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

– Wendy Mass (also attributed to Plato and others)

We love the quote above, and we use it a lot. For me, this quote is a great connector, encouraging compassion and empathy, urging us to treat others with unconditional kindness and understanding.

But what if we showed ourselves the same kind of compassion? In our efforts for self-improvement, we can sometimes fall into the trap of compare and despair. We look at others and focus on areas where we feel we are lacking. This type of distorted thinking can lead to depression, anxiety, shame, jealousy, self-criticism, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence. Yet, if we take a moment to practice some self-compassion – realizing that we are no better or worse than anyone else fighting their own battles – we can begin to treat ourselves with the same kindness and encouragement that we give to others. 

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CollaborationKristi HornerCompare and Despair
The Foundation of Perceptions
The Foundation of Perceptions

“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.”  ~ Leonardo da Vinci

One of the most powerful tools we have in our journey of self-growth is the ability to manage perceptions. It can also be one of the hardest to put into action.

Our perceptions form the foundation of everything we know and believe. They influence how we gather and interpret information. They shape the way we think, affect the way we learn, and guide our decision-making. So it’s natural to feel uncomfortable when we encounter something that challenges the reality we thought we knew based on our perceptions. Recognizing that we all have beliefs and biases that stem from our unique perceptions is important both for self-growth and for strengthening our connections with those around us.

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CollaborationKristi HornerManaging Perceptions
NOVEMBER 2023 Newsletter: Collaboration ... We are better TOGETHER
NOVEMBER 2023 Newsletter: Collaboration ... We are better TOGETHER

"Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued - when they can give and receive without judgment." ~ Brené Brown 

As human beings we are hard-wired for collaboration. Our brains have a need to connect with others in order to thrive. Throughout November we focused on learning to say no, managing perceptions, compare and despair, as well as forgiveness and gratitude all as ways to collaborate. 

As caregivers, we often feel isolated and alone in our caregiving. The journey as a mental illness caregiver is especially lonely, as we feel it isn’t OUR story to tell - it’s our loved one’s story of living with mental illness (or other chronic or serious illness). 

As caregivers, we often feel judged or shamed for our actions (or lack of actions) - and this makes it hard to connect with those we feel "don't understand" or in relationships where we don't feel safe sharing – or being vulnerable – as our most authentic true selves.

Courage to Caregivers brings together caregivers and has created a community of CARE. A place where you’ll never feel alone in your caregiving again. Where you are accepted for who you are (and that's SO much MORE than "just" your caregiving responsibilities). 

We are here to support you - as a caregiver - as YOU - in your personal growth journey towards greater health and well-being. 💙 When you take care of yourself (too), you provide better care to those you love. 

As caregivers - we can support each other. Remember, you are never alone. We are here for you in your journey of caring. We're SO serious about this - that during the Holidays we've added daily weekday availability to "Meet Up" via Zoom. See article below for all the details! 

5 TOOLS TO CONNECT WITH COURAGE

  1. BE PRESENT: Turn off your notifications and devices; take a break from your to-do lists.

  2. ACTIVE LISTENING: Notice your body language - listen to understand (not to respond).

  3. BE VULNERABLE: Be your authentic true self.

  4. BE EMPATHETIC: Empathy is NOT sympathy. Empathy is feeling "with" another person. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. 

  5. ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Be specific - people want to support you! ​​​​​​​​Keep a list handy so you're always ready for "how can I help you?"

Check out our entire November newsletter focused on COLLABORATION here.

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CollaborationKristi HornerCollaboration, Learn to Say NO, Managing Perceptions, Compare and Despair, Forgiveness, Gratitude
Gratitude Is Recognition; Forgiveness Is Release
Gratitude Is Recognition; Forgiveness Is Release

"Forgiveness is a form of gratitude. When we forgive others, we show them the mercy that we have often received and been thankful for." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

In keeping with the season, our topic this week is forgiveness and gratitude – both of which enable us to gain more control and empowerment in our lives. Forgiveness allows us to let go of our resentments and move on with our lives. Gratitude allows us to recognize all the good things that happen every day.

When we practice gratitude as a mindset, it doesn’t mean that we ignore the bad things. It means that we can also focus on all the good things, big or small, like our relationship with our loved one, our bond with our pet, or just a simple pleasure like a hot cup of coffee. We realize that life is not all terrible, that we do have a lot to be thankful for, and that there is hope.  

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude
Focus on the “Best of” You
Focus on the “Best of” You

"Comparison is the thief of JOY." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

It’s not often that our topic for the week is all about an unhealthy thinking style. But the inclination to compare and despair is so common and seemingly natural for us that we need to recognize it for exactly what it is: a type of distorted thinking that can lead to depression, anxiety, shame, jealousy, self-criticism, low self-esteem, and lack of self-confidence. So it’s definitely something we need to address whenever we find ourselves falling into its trap.

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CollaborationKristi HornerCompare and Despair
How Do You Perceive Your Perceptions?
How Do You Perceive Your Perceptions?

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau

Let’s face it, the way we look at the world can often determine the way we form our opinions, our values, and even who we are. That’s why managing our perceptions is so crucial to self-growth. In many challenging situations, our perceptions are all we have to guide us.

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CollaborationKristi HornerManaging Perceptions
You Have the Right to Say “No”
You Have the Right to Say “No”

“Saying NO can be the ultimate self-care.” ~ Claudia Black

This week’s topic involves one of the most courageous actions you can take: saying no.

Caregivers often get pulled in many different directions, and we may discover that some things just aren’t “right” for us to take on at this point in our lives. In those cases, we need to learn to say no. Saying no helps us establish and enforce healthy boundaries on our time, energy, and space, to ensure that we can put our best selves forward for those who need us, and for ourselves. Failure to hold firm to these boundaries can leave us feeling overburdened and overcommitted.

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CollaborationKristi HornerLearn to Say NO
November Newsletter: Collaboration ... We are Better TOGETHER
November Newsletter: Collaboration ... We are Better TOGETHER

"Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued - when they can give and receive without judgment." ~ Brené Brown

As caregivers, we often feel isolated and alone in our caregiving.

The journey as a mental illness caregiver is especially lonely, as we feel it isn’t OUR story to tell - it’s our loved one’s story of living with mental illness (or other serious illness).

As caregivers, we often feel judged or shamed for our actions (or lack of actions) - and this makes it hard to connect with those we feel "don't understand" or in relationships where we don't feel safe sharing – or being vulnerable – as our most authentic true selves.

Courage to Caregivers brings together caregivers and has created a community of CARE. A place where you’ll never feel alone in your caregiving again. Where you are accepted for who you are (and that's SO much MORE than "just" your caregiving responsibilities).

We are here to support you - as a caregiver - as YOU - in your personal growth journey towards greater health and well-being. 💙 When you take care of yourself (too), you provide better care to those you love.

Check out the November newsletter here focus on our theme of Collaboration here.

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Collaboration, NewslettersKristi HornerCollaboration, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Compare and Despair, Managing Perceptions
Micro-Moments of Gratitude
Micro-Moments of Gratitude

“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle

‘Tis the season for thanks and giving, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to be with family and friends and focus on our blessings. But being thankful and expressing our gratitude isn’t meant to be “seasonal.” Having an attitude of gratitude is beneficial all year ‘round.

Practicing gratitude has been proven to reduce stress, protect you from depression, help you sleep better, boost your immune system, and improve your relationships. And the Science of Thankfulness shows that by cultivating gratitude as a practice, we can rewire our brains for resilience and optimism.

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude
Learning to Share and Not Compare
Learning to Share and Not Compare

It's that time of year ... again. The hustle and bustle of the Holidays. We cram a lot into the last few weeks of every year, don't we?

Building resilience is no fun. It's hard and complicated. It has growing pains and is oftentimes filled with mistakes and wrong turns. Life is not always sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns - I know that, yet, I don't have to like it. We don't get to feel joy, happiness, contentment, pride, and peace without also feeling sadness, guilt, shame, embarrassment, and disappointment. We're human - and come with the full spectrum of emotions. These are normal reactions to (mostly) normal situations.

I haven't written a long newsy Christmas letter for many, many years. Maybe this will be the year I find the courage to start again? Maybe someone out there needs to know that in their story of pain and heartache ... they're not alone. Or another caregiver out there needs to know that caregiving is hard, and long, and you can get weary ... and, they are enough.

Today I will remind myself that I am enough. YOU are enough, too.

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CollaborationKristi HornerCompare and Despair
Support Is a Two-Way Street
Support Is a Two-Way Street

We actually have two themes this month. First, it’s National Family Caregivers Month, which celebrates, supports, and raises awareness about family caregivers across the country. So this month, we’ll be hosting our third annual Caring for Caregivers Virtual Summit, Getting UNStuck: Moving From Languishing to Flourishing, on November 16 and 17. Both days will feature sessions by professional facilitators on topics ranging from connectedness and empowerment to resiliency and gratitude.

Also this month, our regular Support Group curriculum will be covering topics related to the theme of collaboration, and this week, the topic is your support network.

When we allow others to help us, we give them the opportunity to show their kindness and compassion. When we do the same for others as part of a support network, we return the favor. In other words, having a strong support network is a win-win for YOU and for EVERYONE!

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CollaborationKristi HornerSupport Team
Collaboration ... We are Better TOGETHER - November 2021 Newsletter
Collaboration ... We are Better TOGETHER - November 2021 Newsletter

As human beings, we are hard-wired to connect - for COLLABORATION. Our brains have a NEED to connect with others in order to THRIVE.

Collaboration also can help caregivers move from SURVIVAL mode to THRIVAL mode.

THRIVAL is defined in the urban dictionary as "looking beyond your soul into the deepness of society's problems; sacrificing yourself and going beyond one's comfort zone in order to help the people around you."

I've met a lot of caregivers over the years - all of them are on a journey ... and it is definitely one of THRIVAL. But at Courage to Caregivers, we recognize that you may feel as though you’re languishing when you start out on your journey. That’s why we’ve added the concept of self-care to our own definition of THRIVAL. Our programs work to support caregivers in THRIVING, too.

Join us and find out how you, too, can move from languishing to flourishing - it's possible to THRIVE as a caregiver.

Read the full newsletter here.

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude, Collaboration, Support Network, Managing Perceptions, Compare, Compare and Despair
Forgive the Bad and Appreciate the Good
Forgive the Bad and Appreciate the Good

We have two topics this week, and they’re often considered to be opposites, but they’re really both forms of kindness and self-empowerment. Forgiveness is about being kind, making peace with life when we don’t get what we want, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, remembering that we all fail at times, and retelling our story with us as the hero instead of the victim. Gratitude is recognizing the good things that happen and appreciating the gifts that we are given.

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CollaborationKristi HornerForgiveness, Gratitude
Look Inside – How Are Your Perceptions Doing Today?
Look Inside – How Are Your Perceptions Doing Today?

As caregivers, we can be hypersensitive about perceptions. How do others perceive our loved one, and how do they perceive us? How do we perceive them, and how do we perceive ourselves? Our perceptions are the lenses through which we all view the world, and if negative perceptions are left unchallenged, whether they’re our own or someone else’s, they can lead to failure or heartache.

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CollaborationKristi HornerManaging Perceptions
With a Support Network, You’re Never Alone
With a Support Network, You’re Never Alone

As we turn the calendar to November, we begin National Family Caregivers Month, a month that celebrates YOU – the unpaid family caregiver. At Courage to Caregivers, you are our “WHY” – why we do what we do – providing hope, support, and courage to caregivers of those living with mental illness. And that leads right into our topic for this week – support network – as part of this month’s theme of collaboration.

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CollaborationKristi HornerSupport Network