Posts tagged Bridging Differences
APRIL 2025 Newsletter - Common Humanity Thrives in All of Us

APRIL THEME: COMMON HUMANITY

"Self-compassion is rooted in our common humanity. When we struggle or make mistakes, there’s often an irrational but pervasive sense of isolation – as if 'I' were the only person in the world having this painful experience. All humans suffer, however. Not the same way or the same amount, but the very definition of being 'human' means being vulnerable, flawed and imperfect. When we are self-compassionate, we recognize that our suffering connects us rather than separates us from others." ~ Dr. Kristin Neff

As Dr. Kristin Neff puts aptly here, being human means we have vulnerabilities and flaws, and that we make mistakes. In our caregiving, we often feel the pressure to be "perfect" and make the right decisions all the time. It becomes easy to feel isolated and as if no one understands what we are going through. However, COMMON HUMANITY reminds us that we are not alone. While our particular challenges and stories may be unique, the fact that we all know what it feels like to be vulnerable and imperfect allows us to build bridges to one another rather than close doors.

Life is hard. Our lives are full of both pain and joy. We experience complex grief and loss and the feelings of isolation that come with it. When we step back and remember we are not alone, we can break through that loneliness and find connection and belonging. Common humanity means acknowledging that we are never truly going through life by ourselves. Hand-in-hand, we can listen and support one another, acting with compassion toward others and ourselves.

3 Tools to Help Appreciate Our Common Humanity

  1. Remember that we are not alone. It is sometimes easier to see what divides us instead of what brings us together. However, common humanity is not the absence of difference. Common humanity simply means recognizing that even with our differences, we are still human and have the capacity to connect with one another.

  2. Practice self-compassion.As we emphasize here at Courage to Caregivers, we cannot be truly kind to others if we are not also taking care of ourselves. Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can, and talk to yourself as you would talk to a beloved friend.

  3. Embrace connections. Focus on what connects us to other people rather than what makes us different. By building connections based on our common humanity, we can support both ourselves and those around us.

Check out our entire April 2025 Newsletter focused on Common Humanity here.

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The Strongest Bridge Can Sway Without Breaking

"Vulnerability is the only bridge to build connection." ~ Brené Brown

I’ve struggled with this week’s email. Sometimes the topics are so perfectly timed for what I’m going through that the words just flow out. But this week, my words are STUCK.

Trust me, we ALL need to be talking about this week’s topic, building bridges, right NOW. And there’s SO much I want to say to those with whom I don’t share the same beliefs, values, or viewpoints. I have tried to meet those who see the world through a different lens with LOVE, but somehow it never feels like enough … and then, I don’t feel like enough. I’m tired and exhausted, and that’s what makes it so hard. (I did ask for support recently, and that is helping.)

Two important aspects of building bridges are tolerance and inclusion. Caregivers often have to tolerate not just differing opinions but also stress, emotional outbursts, and sometimes unfair criticism from family members who aren’t as involved. But caregivers can’t always walk away from these conflicts. They must navigate them while ensuring the well-being of the person they care for. Tolerance is about managing emotional strain and disagreements with grace and resilience, while inclusion is about making sure both the caregiver and the care recipient are valued and involved in decision-making. 

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APRIL 2024 NEWSLETTER: We're in this TOGETHER 🤲

Every single one of us has a STORY. Not one of us is spared life's challenges - after all - that's LIFE! And ... I don't need to remind you that life can be HARD. 

Many times our caregiver stories are "invisible" - just like the invisible illnesses many of our loved ones face. 

Life is filled with moments of joy AND ordinary AND pain. In my most tender moments supporting loved ones (or myself) through immense physical or emotional pain, I've shared my thoughts on how we might navigate our one and precious life. We were never promised a life of only the “good” emotions - like joy and happiness - life comes with the good AND bad - a full spectrum of experiences. 

How often do you find yourself asking "why ME?" I've been known to say this and "enough is enough" - how much pain can one person endure?

Sometimes, life feels unfair.

But as you navigate your story - your journey of life - remember, you are NEVER alone. Never alone in your joy OR your pain. We're on this caregiver journey TOGETHER. 

When I founded Courage to Caregivers - it was a passion project. After losing our brother to suicide, my sisters and I knew NO ONE should take this journey - of providing care to someone they love living with mental illness - ALONE. We had felt so very alone all those years providing mental and emotional support for our brother. Just like he did. Yet, we were facing this together.  

Over the years, talking with people, hearing their stories, holding their hands on their journey of pain - whether it be grief, loss of any kind, chronic pain, physical pain, emotional pain, isolation, or loneliness - it can feel hard and overwhelming. One of the things I've learned is ... people want to know they aren't ALONE. We work to validate each caregiver's experience and affirm and normalize their feelings. Allowing each caregiver to feel seen, heard, and understood.  

“The very definition of being 'human' means that one is mortal, vulnerable and imperfect. Therefore, self-compassion involves recognizing that suffering and personal inadequacy is part of the shared human experience – something that we all go through rather than being something that happens to ‘me’ alone.” ~ Kristin Neff

Walking hand in hand with someone else is one of our greatest gifts to each other. Common humanity = you are NEVER alone.

Check out our entire April Newsletter focused on Common Humanity here.

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Building Bridges for Support

“It takes both sides to build a bridge.” – Fredrik Nael

A lot of what we talk about at Courage to Caregivers involves the self – self-growth, self-knowledge, self-empowerment. But this month, we’re expanding our view as we consider our place within common humanity. And this week’s topic of building bridges is all about understanding, interacting with, and showing support for others.

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April Newsletter: Self-Compassion + Connectedness + Common Humanity = HOPE

Life can be HARD - I likely don't need to remind you.

Life is filled with moments of joy AND ordinary AND pain. In my most tender moments supporting loved ones (or myself) through immense physical or emotional pain, I've shared my thoughts on how we might navigate our one and precious life. We were never promised a life of only the “good” emotions - like joy and happiness - life comes with the good AND bad - a full spectrum of experiences. 

How often do you find yourself asking "why ME?" I've been known to say this and "enough is enough" - how much pain can one person endure?

Sometimes, life feels unfair.

But as you navigate your story - your journey of life - remember, you are NEVER alone. Never alone in your joy OR your pain. 

When I founded Courage to Caregivers - it was a passion project. After losing our brother to suicide, my sisters and I knew NO ONE should take this journey - of providing care to someone they love living with mental illness - ALONE. We had felt so very alone all those years providing mental and emotional support for our brother. 

Over the years, talking with people, hearing their stories, holding their hands on their journey of pain - whether it be grief, loss of any kind, chronic pain, physical pain, emotional pain, isolation, or loneliness - it can feel hard and overwhelming.  One of the things I've learned is ... people want to know they aren't ALONE. We work to validate each caregivers' experience and affirm and normalize their feelings. 

“The very definition of being “human” means that one is mortal, vulnerable and imperfect. Therefore, self-compassion involves recognizing that suffering and personal inadequacy is part of the shared human experience – something that we all go through rather than being something that happens to ‘me’ alone.” ~ Kristin Neff

Walking hand in hand with someone else is one of our greatest gifts to each other. Common humanity = you are NEVER alone. 

Check out our entire April newsletter focused on Common Humanity here.

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April Newsletter: Finding Your Place in the WORLD 🌎

For the last three months we've been looking INTERNALLY - from dreaming BIG to mindfulness - we've been on a journey of self-discovery.

As caregivers, we often lose OURSELVES, as we are providing care to others. We place all of our focus on our loved ones needs, their medical appointments, medications and care plan. We often forget (or don't prioritize) our own health and well-being.


This month's been ALL about finding our place in the WORLD Sound BIG and lofty to you? It doesn't need to be!

Check out the April Newsletter focused on FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD here.

April was also Stress Awareness Month. The April 2021 Newsletter included all our favorite resources for stress. Stress is a part of life ... but doesn’t have to knock us flat. We can't eliminate the stress of caregiving - yet, we CAN find ways to better cope/manage our stressors.

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