Year 2026 and we are still here helping to build a better community by continuing to provide quality training and opportunities for our caregivers. I remember way back 1997 when I asked the DSHS training department to allow me to teach students with English as a second language. I am one of them so i can relate to the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture. We have evolved and we are still here.
Gratitude is expressed to those who trusted our services and still with us.

I am used to the old ways of learning where most of the information comes from my teachers and text books.  That was when I was younger and to excel was the challenge. That is the old ways and can be boring for most learners now as we are besieged with multimedia sources of learning such as the YouTube channels, google search, Wikipedia, etc.
That goes too with caregiving. It can be fun, rewarding and many lessons can be drawn from the lives of those we care for. As I get mileage in my caregiving career I find that I am still growing and learning more as I reflect on the challenges I faced. As one of my co worker commented " I never thought it requires so much intelligence to care."
Yes indeed as caregiving encompasses a lot of skills, experience and knowledge.
How can caregiving be fun and how do we learn from it? Start with connecting with the one you care for, learning more about him or her, listen and shut up, focus on giving joy instead of complaining. Easier said than done and seems too simple but it all starts within us, our beliefs, values and mindset. If we regard challenges as something we can learn from, then it will be fun. It can open a door for us to seek knowledge and wisdom from experts. It can also mold us to shape our attitude to more gratitude and that is when fun begins with learning. Pause. take a deep breath and embrace the joy and reward of giving your best.

There is no other time of the year to be aware and in tune with our feelings/moods as we come to grip with the reality of our times.  This festive season is somewhat difficult to grapple as we think of friends and loved ones we wished to be with us. But as one advised we can still smile of the good memories of holiday and to find something we can be grateful for even in the midst of adversity. The best self-care is to reach out to those who really care and spend time with them. Enjoy the moment, focus on the positive, appreciate similarities and honor differences. Not an ideal world but we can always try to make ourselves better and others too with our caring and compassionate heart.