Sometimes you stumble upon an offering that truly makes your life easier. Recently, my sister located a resource that provided us with a means for locating assistance for my mom, who suffers from dementia: http://www.itsallaboutaging.com/blog/?p=230

In an effort to keep my mom’s mind stimulated and her body active, I had been researching services online which provide options for caregiving on a basic level to seniors. My interest was to find a local woman who would understand my mom’s situation and act as a companion to her in my absence. The site through which we found assistance was http://www.Care.com.

The company was started by Sheila Lirio Marcelo, a seasoned entrepreneur whose passion for business and family led to the founding of Care.com in 2006. After enduring frequent struggles to find quality caregivers for her two boys, Sheila recognized a lack in resources available to help families address their care needs. Care.com was created to fill that void. After we were paired with a successful match for my mom, I asked Sheila (SLM) for her perspective on the importance of developing a healthy network of friends and partners…

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Life rarely works out exactly as we plan. The death of a loved one, rejection by a cherished friend, the onset of an unexpected illness, unemployment status after a successful career, struggle with body image and self-perception - these experiences challenge us.  During times of struggle, I have found comfort in the wisdom, insight, and empathy I gain when I reach out to others for help. I’ve relied on a healthy network of friends to support me in my endeavors especially when the going gets tough. As John Donne once noted, “No man is an island.”

Melody Beattie, the best-selling author of numerous books including Codependent No More and The Grief Club believes that “There’s a secret to get through loss, pain and grief. If we’re alone we can’t see who we are. When we join the club, other people become the mirror. Through them, we see ourselves and gain an understanding of what we’re going through.”  I asked Melody to elaborate on what it personally means to her to “buddy up.”

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If you’ve spent any time in Massachusetts, then you may have heard of the inspiring father and son combo of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick was born in 1962 as a spastic quadriplegic, cerebral palsy, non-speaking person. While his body may be disabled, the ability of his mind and person has always been strong, and his father, Dick, has been a lifelong supporter of Rick’s quest for independence and inclusion in sports, specifically in the marathon and triathlon. “When I am running,  observes Rick, “it feels like I’m not even handicapped.”

Since completing their first 5-miler 30 years ago, together they have participated in almost 1000 race events. Although Dick is pushing Rick on the course, he claims that it is Rick who is the real motivator and that he is just out there loaning his arms and legs so that his son can compete. Through the marathon circuit, I’ve had the privilege to become friends with Team Hoyt and have shared their story of inspiration with many. Their unwavering commitment to one another is a remarkable testament to the human spirit.

Dick says that there is an unbelievable feeling he gets when he is running with his son that he can’t fully explain, but it helps him to move faster. By their example and motto, “Yes You Can!”, I am reminded that there is nothing we can’t do if we put our minds to it. I can’t think of any better way to honor this upcoming Father’s Day than to reflect on the love and commitment displayed by this amazing father-son team. When asked what one thing Rick wished he could give his father, he answers simply: "The thing I'd most like is that my dad would sit in the chair and I would push him once."

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My running career has taught me the importance of training, mental attitude and the value of positive role models. I often uncover mentors who inspire me in the authors behind the books on my shelves. One such individual is http://www.thomrutledge.com/.  Thom has 20 years of professional experience guiding his readers from self-judgment and perfectionism toward genuine self-compassion. Thom's trademark sense of humor, a down-to-earth practicality, and his own compassion are the common threads that run throughout his unique brand of self-help psychology. I recently asked him (TR) how he feels about the communities in which he chooses to participate and the gift of connecting with others. 

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