It’s very difficult to keep a balanced perspective on life when you feel like you are sinking.  I personally have tried to look at the big picture to stay calm and focused but often get overwhelmed with the little details and feel trapped in my situation.  Many of us tell ourselves that we will start to slow down, not sweat the small stuff, take a few minutes to breathe, stay present in the moment, or even get so bold as to imagine 20 minutes of meditation a day.  Then what happens?  Life.  We know that shutting down, reflecting on our blessings and looking at the long term big picture will lead to increased happiness, decreased stress and for the over-achievers like me, increased productivity.    But when we are placed in a situation with circumstances beyond our control we can so quickly lose our balance.  How can caregivers, who have even more demands on them, find a way to reflect on their feelings and experiences and find a way to cope, and even enjoy what is in front of them?  This week’s guest, Dr. Barry Jacobs, psychologist and author of “Meditations for Caregivers: Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support for You and Your Family” discusses the importance of using others stories to inspire personal change.