It can be hard to know how best to show compassion and support someone who is dealing with a serious or chronic illness. Often, you desperately want to ease their suffering and be there for them, but you are unsure of what they need and how you can help. Everyone deals with their illness in
Category: How To…
The Joy Of Giving At Any Time Of Year
The season of giving is upon us. But what does that really mean? Christmas has evolved somewhat in recent times. A slight sense of materialism has crept in. Sometimes giving at this festive time can seem like an obligation rather than what it should be – a gift of service and selflessness. With new “traditions”
How To Support Someone With Cancer
Hearing that a friend or family member has been diagnosed with cancer can be scary. It brings a lot of emotion along with it – fear, anger, sadness, and worry. All very big feelings to deal with. The thing with Cancer is that it can mean many things. It is a general term that covers
The first steps to take when the unexpected happens
The unexpected can happen at any time, without warning and we’re not always prepared, particularly in the event of a health crisis. The first steps you take when the unexpected happens can make a big difference to how you get through a challenging time. Slow Down When life throws you a curveball, your first instinct
How a lack of timely support led to depression
Life throws us curveballs that we’re not always prepared for. If you don’t have people to turn to or timely support right when you need it, you can find yourself on a slippery downward spiral very quickly. It’s how people suddenly find themselves homeless seemingly overnight, sleeping in cars or on the street. How It
How to cope with the death of a loved one, one man’s advice.
How do you cope with the death of a loved one when the heartbreak can be all-consuming? Losing a friend or a loved one is devastating. It can be hard to know what to do, or how to cope with the grief that follows, and the pain that never really goes away. Unfortunately, it’s something
I want to do good in my community, how can I help people?
More and more people want to do good by giving back and are asking the question ‘how can I help people’ in my community? As a nation we’re right up there when it comes to volunteering, currently ranked 6th in the world, with around 1.2 million Kiwis volunteering in our communities every year. Benefits of
How to Survive the ‘Sandwich Generation’ without burnout
Delayed parenting and increased life spans have resulted in a “sandwich generation” effect of people in their 40s-60s caught between supporting ageing parents, grown children (over 18) and their grandchildren, or raising young children while looking after ageing parents and grandparents. A multitude of responsibilities brings competing demands on time, energy and finances. Each
How to Help Ourselves by Helping Other People
As human beings, we thrive when our basic physiological needs for survival are met and we experience a strong connection with others and feel valued by society. We can feel that connectedness and sense of belonging when we give of ourselves and our time in helping other people. At the same time, it promotes our
How to Support a Friend Diagnosed with Cancer
When you hear a friend say those gut-wrenching words “I have cancer” the first reaction is one of shock, followed by awkwardness as you search for the right words. You will probably end up saying, “If there is anything I can do, just let me know,” because you really have no clue what to say or