At the recent Westberg Symposium Parish Nurse Convention in St. Charles, MO, I gave an interactive presentation on “Tools for Parish Nurses: Visuals That Communicate”. We explored the ways that pictures, graphs, charts, color, font, and body language communicate and identified first hand the impact that is created when visuals are used.

One of the key themes of the conference was taking care of self in the midst of a changing world. It seems that a key challenge for parish nurses as well as for health care professionals generally is taking care of self, body, mind, and soul. As a family caregiver, TAKING CARE OF SELF is critical.

Among the visuals we explored was a card with 5 Affirmations. I use this card/visual to remind myself that I must find a quiet corner for meditation each day where I can say these affirmations aloud. Also helpful is the repetition of these affirmations which can become a chant for the soul.

Here are my affirmations:

- I am important.
- I am not alone.
- I am appreciated.
- I am in control.
- I take care of myself.

The last affirmation on the list is in that position for a reason. If we consistently do the other four, we will be taking care of ourselves.

I encourage you to create your own affirmations and tailor them to your needs. My affirmations change with time, especially after a crisis or an important change or learning moment. The MOST USEFUL part is to have the VISUAL CARD that I tuck in my wallet. It’s always there to remind me and I believe carrying it with me provides solace and comfort.

I invite you to use mine to begin with if that works but to move toward your very OWN AFFIRMATIONS. The process I use is:

- Define the affirmations. I like having five.
- Put them on some type of visual. My choice is a business size card.
- Find a quiet spot at least once a day to review the affirmations.
- Say them aloud slowly and breathe deeply after each one.
- Repeat them to create a chanting effect.
- Share your experience using affirmations with others.
- Recreate your affirmations as needed.

The process is important as it gets you into the habit of creating, using, and sharing the tradition of affirmations. For both the professional and the family caregiver, they are priceless as the advertisement says!

Margery Pabst is a nationally acclaimed author, speaker, and facilitator. Her fourth book, “Enrich Your Caregiving Journey”, explores how successful caregivers take care of themselves while caring for others. “Enrich Your Caregiving Journey” won the “2010 Caregiver Friendly Award” given by Today’s Caregiver Magazine. Communicate with Margery at pivotalcrossings@aol.com or to find out more about her books, go to www.pivotalcrossings.com.