A Personal Message for All Caregivers

Firefighters race into buildings, into the smoke and flames, ultimately to save lives. In the same way, I feel compelled to rush into the heat of emotions. It’s my conviction that there’s a critical opportunity to reach and help people, early on, during the most painful and challenging times in their lives. Here’s a message that I would like to leave for all caregivers who choose to help others during times of crisis....

Years ago, I was warned by an esteemed psychologist never to build a clinical practice around, or specialize in working exclusively with, people in crisis. He explained how the stress of helping others, during intensely emotional times, would be too overwhelming for anyone.

Because of my belief that crises present unique and powerful opportunities for people to grow, I chose not to heed my colleague’s warning. Instead, I immersed myself in helping people to live through and overcome adversity. I chose to focus on the healing process and the hope and potential of empowering people to look beyond today and live their dreams! This is my mission and purpose, and I’ve never found it to be overwhelming.

And another thought. There’s nothing magical about what we say or do with people during times of crisis. In fact, it’s generally not what we say that helps people the most, it’s often what we don’t say. Let’s remember that we are not experts in solving other people’s problems. No one has the right to question another person’s beliefs or to tell them how they should feel. Instead, we should strive to become experts in helping people to find the answers within themselves. We should try to give back a sense of control that their experience seems to have taken away.

Let’s support people during their crisis and help them to look beyond adversity ... toward their blessings and their unique potential.

Take care of you.