Discovering Your Soul’s Job Description: The Caregiver/Nurturer (2nd of 10)

Your Soul's Job Description (gifts and talents) fall to 10 broad categories:

Healer (see my September blog)

Caregiver, Nurturer

Teacher, Lecturer, Storyteller

Writer, Communicator

Coach, Counselor,

Mentor

Visionary

Social & Community Activist

Peacemaker,

Diplomat Artist,

Crafter

Entrepreneur

This month, we're looking at the gift of Caregiver, Nurturer. These amazing souls love to nurture, tend, and care for animals, the elderly, the sick, plants—you name it. If it’s a living being, they are ready to show love. If you resonate with this way of being, then the very act of taking care of someone or something feeds your soul. You rarely turn down someone who needs help. Natural caregivers are often excellent parents and may struggle when their children leave home until they create new opportunities to care for others—or learn to extend that same loving care to themselves.

Like no other gift, the caregiver can sense the needs of others, even strangers. It would be just like a caregiver to notice how exhausted someone is and intuitively know when someone needs rest and a home-cooked meal, but not necessarily company and conversation.

The caregiver’s exquisite sensitivity to living beings often baffles those who don’t share this gift. If someone were to ask, “Why do you give so much when you often get nothing in return?” the caregiver would likely respond, “I don’t know—it’s just the way I am.” This natural ability gives caregivers an almost endless supply of compassion and understanding. They astonish others with their capacity to give without question and to offer a constancy of nurturing that would deplete just about anyone else.

Caregivers are bottomless wells of strength and stamina—born first responders. Whether the crisis is a skinned knee or a home destroyed by fire, the caregiver will be there in an instant with Band-Aids, blankets, and tender loving care. They step into parenting roles with ease—provided they do so at a time in life when they’re ready and willing to give.

Although caring for others comes naturally, caregivers must mature into their ability to give without resentment. If forced into the role too early, they may find themselves resenting their own nature. But for the most part, caregivers give without a second thought, and no kindness or consideration is too small.

Those without this innate gift might notice someone in need but hesitate to offer help—perhaps because they feel awkward, uncomfortable, or inconvenienced. The caregiver, however, doesn’t stop to think. They act, led by compassion and instinct.

I always know when I’m reading for one of these amazing souls, because Spirit shows me a parade in brilliant technicolor—complete with a grand marshal and a marching band! It’s Spirit’s way of expressing deep appreciation for who you are and all that you do. While caregivers never expect thanks, their kindness and service are so profoundly valued in the Spirit world that the celebration simply can’t wait.

Next Steps

Embrace your acts of service, no matter how big or small. You absolutely make a difference, and you are known and celebrated by Spirit for all that you do.

The next time you feel even the slightest bit resentful or uncared for, promise yourself that you will take a break and give to you for a while. Nothing in nature blooms 365 days a year, and you shouldn’t expect yourself to either. Feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, or resentment—even in tiny doses—are signals from your big, beautiful heart that you need attention, too.

Your goal is balance, balance, balance. While it may be true that you receive joy from giving, it’s not the same as filling your own reserves.

Here’s an analogy that may help: each of us has two cookie jars inside. The first jar represents our personal reserves—the energy we use to care for ourselves each day: eating, resting, enjoying life, and doing what sustains us. When this first jar is full, it overflows into the second jar—the one we use to give to others.

When the second jar is empty and we keep reaching into the first to continue giving, we become depleted. Depletion leads to stress, fatigue, and resentment. It’s a cycle that especially affects those caring for sick children or aging parents. If left uncorrected, our bodies eventually stop the cycle the only way they can—by breaking down physically, mentally, or emotionally.

To stay healthy and continue doing what you love for years to come, keep your reserves so full that both jars overflow. This is your responsibility—and for some, your challenge—because only you can decide when to pause, ask for help, and take a break.

It is not selfish to care for yourself. The world—your world—needs healthy, balanced, happy nurturers.

To all the Caregivers/Nurturers out there: I celebrate you.

Suggested Reading

• The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself by Linda Abbit

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

with love,

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