'Do not let what you cannot do interfere wth what you can do," is a quote from famed basketball coach John Wooden. But it is also the coda to a caregiver's way of life. It is one of the many inspirational sayings that caregiver BJ Smith relied upon to get her through the seven years she cared for her mom as Alzheimer's disease ravaged her life. Smith compiled many other powerful epigrams into a inspirational quote board that she relied upon to get her through her toughest situations as her mom's caregiver. Just Breathe! is an empowering book that collects the most insprirational and memorable sayings into one moving resource. The title comes from Smith's highly stressful but ultimately liberating experience in becoming her mom's primary caretaker. "Breathing seemed to be the most difficult act for me to do as I cared for my mother," writes Smith. "My mother fought for a life and family she loved and cherished just to watch it slip away day by day into a dark abyss." After her mother's initial diagonsis Smith vowed that she would live bravely in her mother's world of Alzheimer's and save her tears and her breakdowns for her husband and family. To power herself through her long day and nights, she began keeping quotes posted on a dry erase board with sayings from poets, leaders, actors, and visionaries ranging from Oprah Winfrey to Gandhi to St. Francis of Assisi. While the quotes will provide a profound source of motivation to anyone who has found themselves unexpectedly caring for a sick loved one, the book's most moving sayings come from Smith herself. "As a caregiver you lose a part of yourself when taking care of a loved one," Smith writes. "But if you look at your world a little differently, you will see what you have gained on your journey is astounding."
About the Author: During her life, BJ Smith has always connected well with the elderly. She has become close friends with individuals who are homebound, in nursing homes and in independent living facilities during her 47 years. She gives the credit for her love and compassion for the elderly to her mother (Katherine Calhoun). Smith says,"My mom was an angel on earth to so many people throughout her life." The priceless smile and undeniable strength and will she had made her an unavoidable presence. Smith and her sister (Linda Messer) cared for their mother for much of their adult lives. Smith became the daily caregiver during the last seven years of her mom's life as she battled with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Texas, BJ graduated from University of Houston with a Bachelor's degree in accounting. She worked in the corporate world before she decided to stay at home and take care of her two boys. Smith wore many different hats during those years, including preschool teacher, substitute teacher for elementary level schools, volunteer for homebound members of her church, fitness gym owner and licensed fitness trainer with certification in training the older population and most importantly a caregiver for her mother. Smith currently resides in Deer Park, Texas with her husband, sons, four dogs, and a cat. She is passionate about sharing the inspiration and motivation that gave her the strength and fortitude during her time as a caregiver as well as those times that have been with her through all of life's challenges.