Language is an intriguing thing. If you know anything about NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) or recent work in brain science, you’ll know that the words we use have a great deal of power and influence over us.
Recently, I heard an interview on Richard Fidler’s Conversation Hour with the musician Linsey Pollack. He talked about how African tribes have no word for ‘musician’ simply because everyone makes music. His analogy was that in English there’s no word for someone who breathes. Since we all do it there is no point in having a specific word to designate someone who breathes.
As you know, for the past few weeks I’ve been helping my mother, following her hip replacement operation. Consequently, I’ve been designated as her ‘carer’. (If I was doing this for a longer period I could even get a government allowance for it.)
Now being a ‘carer’ doesn’t actually mean you care. (Since it’s my mother I actually do, but that’s beside the point.)
Perhaps a more appropriate title for this role would be ‘helper’ or ‘aider’. You could even have a qualification (as I used to have on my business cards) of CCABW – Chief Cook And Bottle Washer. (This was a great way to see who actually read the card when you handed it to them at a networking event.)
There are many studies which show that being involved with others, either socially or in a support role does increase your life span. (However, if you’re responsible for someone who’s not as appreciative as would be hoped, it might just feel like your days are going on forever).
Anyway, my really big question is: shouldn’t we all be ‘carers’? In an ideal world (not there yet but hopefully we’re on the way) would there even be the necessity for such a word? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if ‘carer’ ceased to have any meaning because everyone did it? (Didn’t John Lennon have something to say about being a dreamer?)
Now, what are these health benefits referred to in the title of this post?
The main one for me is that I’ve noticed a significant drop in blood pressure. I’ve been on BP medication for some time now and it’s been working to keep my BP at a doctorially ‘acceptable’ level.
Since I’ve been in Perth and being a carer my BP has dropped considerably, to the point where it’s getting too low.
I admit this could also be related to other factors; such as my tendency to go to bed according to Sydney time but wake up in Perth time (see last week’s post ‘Doing The Time Warp‘) or perhaps that my mother’s dog is a smaller version of Danita’s & my dog, Sancho, who I understand is missing me or there could be lots of other factors – this isn’t exactly a scientific study. So, the point is, for me being a carer is showing noticeable health benefits.
As a result of this time apart, Danita & I have had a chance to review a few things and I could be taking on a new role (to add to computer/database wiz, astrology genius, sexy beast, carrier of heavy objects, handiman and more) as a house husband. I’m looking forward to getting back to Sydney (hopefully very soon) and trying out my new responsibilities. We’ve yet to have a discussion about specific KPIs but it should be fun.