"Happy New Year" can often feel perfunctory and even meaningless in the caregiving world. Most of us know that January 1, 2, 3, etc., usually brings the same challenges of the previous week – and even year (s). Yet, although our responsibilities may not change, we can. While many fall into the trap of ambitious but unrealistic New Year's Resolutions (I usually give mine up for Lent), caregivers can instead determine to live rather than just survive. Living, however, requires risks. Life is perilous - despite our culture obstinately working to mitigate all risks (thank the lawyers for that). Isolating to avoid disease, injury, rejection, or failure is no way to live. Nor is avoiding death the same as living. From gardening to music, anything that involves life, art, and creativity comes with the risk of failure. As do relationships, business ventures …and caregiving. This year, I intend to push myself to learn, try, accomplish- and even fail - new things. History teaches that risks and heartache remain unavoidable, but joy is a choice.

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live." - Augustus McCrae ― from Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry)

Chris and Shelley Snitko struggled to understand what was going on with their 8-year boy who came down with Strep that served as a catalyst for something far worse. While his twin brother also came down with Strep, he went to recover and live a normal life. But AJ didn't.

When they finally learned, it sent them on a painful journey and eventually a path of redemption and restoration that neither expected.

Thoughts for family caregivers as we start the new year.

Author and Anchor of FoxNews @Night, Shannon Bream, called the show. Shannon discussed the journey she and her husband endured - that helped forge the faith that enabled her to write her NY Times Bestseller, "The Women of the Bible Speak."

Christmas can be a challenging time for family caregivers. In this bonus episode from our radio program, we offer this to fellow caregivers.

Christmas Monologue from our nationally syndicated radio program. 

www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

In the middle of an interview, a reporter once asked me, "What Would Jesus Do As A Caregiver? "

My long-time friend, Hank Martin, sent me a new Christmas song he recorded - and I shared it on the radio program. Many have heard Hank's voice without knowing it - he sang commercial jingles for many years in New York. One of my best friends in the world, it was a special treat for me to play this beautiful song and have Hank on the program. He told me he'd be up late the night before performing at a Christmas function - so I'd have to handle the heavy lifting of talking on the radio! But he made the early call in time, and it was great to have him on!

Download his song today at Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, and other streaming platforms.

A stabbing pain beside my left little toe once prompted a visit to a podiatrist. "You have bunion by your left big toe." He stated flatly. "I know about my bunion; I named it 'Paul,'" I replied with a laugh. "But it doesn't hurt. The pain is on the other side of my foot. "You don't understand," he responded. "The defect of the bunion causes the pain you feel." Patiently explaining, he added, "The bunion affects your walking gait and creates stress points that cause pain.' "I'll bet your left knee hurts as well, doesn't it?" Admitting it did, I listened while he described treatment plans to help relieve the problem. Discomfort with the pressures of caregiving often leads many caregivers to blame the loved one – the "pain point." However, with an honest look, we find the culprit is often our predisposition to fear, worry, and control. Those 'defects" disrupt our balance, hurt, and are often greatly amplified by the stress of caregiving. The doctor helped identify and treat the root issues of my foot's pain, and the discomfort eased. With his help, I improved the way I walk. In a podiatrist's office, I also learned that when I focus on the root cause of my stress –invariably my defects instead of others' - I improve the way I live.

"…Once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves" ― Socrates