Nah, caregivers aren't going to find dressing tips for their recipients. But its how an old friend referred to the act of trying to "dress" others in the qualities we thought they should have...and getting stressed out when they just wouldn't wear what we laid out for them. It often starts with the question "is it so much to ask?" And progresses on with a reasonable expectation, but then we do ourselves further harm by giving up on our own needs, or by getting stressed because things aren't as they "should" be.

It would be so great if we could write the script of our lives including the script of every person, event and group we had to deal with, but that is unrealistic and though these unpredictable, and trying people can frustrate us and our efforts, we have to continue on in spite of our dashed expectations.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

~~Mother Teresa of Calcutta