Tag Archive for: Care

Warm Hearts, Cold Days.

Weeks in the planning, Raymond, Paul, Mike, and I set off for the temple in Preston last Tuesday, for three days away together.
It was a journey that proved to be both heartwarming and nostalgic, taking us down memory lane to recall much simpler times of a bygone era.
The trip had its roots in an initial conversation between Raymond and me several weeks ago.
What began as a casual chat, eventually grew into a plan, culminating in our journey this week.
For Raymond, it had been several years since he was last able to visit the temple, between covid times and health challenges keeping him away.

Planning & Logistics

After lengthy discussions with staff at his care home and with other family members, we were delighted to receive the green light to proceed.
However, the logistics required no small amount of effort.
Booking a specialist vehicle, arranging disabled accommodation at the temple, obtaining the necessary recommendations, and figuring out his care requirements were all hurdles we had to overcome.
Add to that the bitterly cold, freezing temperatures and the challenge of manoeuvring Raymond and his wheelchair into the back of the accessible vehicle, proved quite the operation!
Yet somehow, we managed it all.

The Rewards

The reward was three days of service in the temple, filled with gentle camaraderie and timeless moments that felt truly idyllic.

We certainly liked to tease one another – a lot!
Being at the temple and the shared purpose brought a sense of peace and togetherness that was both comforting and uplifting.
As we ministered to one another, sharing acts of love and kindness, I was reminded of Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
The experience was a wonderful reminder of the power of friendship, careful planning, and staying young at heart despite life’s challenges.
This trip wasn’t just about the temple, on reflection it was also about the bonds between us.
Through witty banter, shared memories, and quiet reflections, we experienced a kind of cheerful resilience and a reminder of what truly matters in life.
It was charming, heartwarming, and an experience that we’ll treasure for years to come.
What cherished memories or moments of ministering have brought you joy and strengthened your bonds with others?

Do you care?

Do you question your motives?
The crux of my personal philosophy in life, the nucleus of my personal motivation, is centred upon a core belief that “nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care” a phrase attributed to Theodore Roosevelt and crafted so purposely by him.
In thousands of coaching conversations, I have learned a little.
As you….
𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝
𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.
Showing interest in others is about being yourself,
being genuine
and sincere in your interest in another person.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞?

Friendship

What new friendships have you made this year?
Reflecting this morning, on the year gone by, I got to thinking about all my friendships anew.
There have been many, all across the world.
A friend cares.
A friend is honest.
A friend reaches out.
A friend listens.
A friend loves.
To all my friends old and new, I discovered a poem that encapsulates how I feel about each of you. I have no idea who wrote it. Enjoy.

“𝐀 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮”

There’s a tenderness comes stealing
O’er this heart of mine today
And a warm and happy feeling
That can never fade away;
Just a feeling that is growing
Every day each long year through –
It’s the joy that comes through knowing
That I have a friend like you.
Round my heart are memories clinging
Of the golden days of old.
And they set my soul a-singing
With a happiness untold.
Yes, our pulsing heart throbs, treasured
Through the years of friendship true
Make me prize the love unmeasured
Of a good old friend like you.
Every passing day I wish you
All the joy your heart will hold;
May success be always with you
As the coming years unfold.
That the fast-approaching morrows
May see all your dreams come true
And contain but minor sorrows,
In my wish, dear friend, for you.
May our friendship grow and strengthen
In the misty years to come,
So that when life’s shadows lengthen
And our mortal race is run,
We may still be friends united –
Still be comrades staunch and true;
That our ways may e’er be lighted,
Yours by me and mine by you.
To all my friends old and new, I hope that 2022, brings you all your hopes and dreams you could ever wish for.
From one good friend to another – Much Love. 💕

Compassion

We are entering unknown territory. One word plays constantly through my mind – 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏. It literally means “to suffer with” to show mercy, pity and sympathy for another.

I am certain that as we enter the uncharted waters of our day, in the weeks that lie ahead, being more compassionate and having an awareness of others’ distress along with a desire to lighten or relieve those difficulties will be crucial for each and everyone of us.

You can show compassion by listening to others and being understanding. Please, put yourself in their circumstances and consider how they might feel. Showing compassion can be as simple as showing genuine interest in peoples’ lives.

Think of a time when someone really listened to you. How did it make you feel? How do you feel toward that person?

Lets be mindful of our family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours, especially the elderly and infirm – consider their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Who could benefit from your compassionate listening today? Who could use your actions of compassion today?