Being Kind to You is the Greatest Gift You Can Give Yourself
A GIFT TO YOURSELF
Being kind to you is the greatest gift you can give
yourself. You are the only you that exists. When you are kind to you, you are
respecting the One who made you. In the mind of your Creator you are infinitely
precious.
For years, I thought being kind to myself was being selfish.
I was taught that I should always be thinking of others. I was taught that when
I care about myself, it must mean that I don't care about anyone else. Self
sacrifice was a badge of honor, and frankly was expected
.
Recently, my thinking has changed. This change has moved me
to a more loving place. I was getting frustrated by not finding enough time to
write, exercise, sleep, and a whole host of other important self- care activities. I was putting everyone
else's needs before my own. It didn't work. I was getting frustrated, and began
blaming others for not taking care of myself. I found that I was tired all of
time, and wasn't happy about how I was showing up for life.
It is never anyone else's fault when I don't take care of
myself. This has been a hard lesson to learn. It has taken me many years to
understand this.
When I go to gym in the morning, I always feel better. When
I get enough sleep, my next day is always more productive. When I eat well, my
attitude is better. Self-care is self-love.
Are you good to yourself? Do you treat yourself well? Do you
care for you the same loving way that you care for a loved one?
CARING FOR YOURSELF
Here are some ways that you can care for yourself:
1. Look at how well you treat your loved ones. Notice how
loving you are to them. Are you as loving to yourself as you are to them?
2. Take time for yourself. Find some alone time. Some
undisturbed time. This is time when nobody is going to need anything from you.
3. Ask for help. If you can't think of some ways to be good
to yourself, ask a trusted friend for some suggestions. Your friends know you.
They care about you, and want you to be happy. I'm sure they would glad to
offer you some tips. You may find that they reflect back to you some things
that you are helping them with.
4. Be gentle with yourself. Change takes time. If being good
to yourself is not something that comes naturally, remember it could take a
while before new habits are formed.
5. Try something new. Try something you have always wanted
to do. Maybe it's taking a walk in the evening. Maybe it's going to the pool,
and just relaxing. Maybe it's trying a new restaurant. Maybe it's picking a new
menu item you have never tried before.
SELF-CARE EXPRESSED
I see examples of self-care in many areas of my life. I know
that my Creator loves me. I tune in to that love through meditation and other
spiritual practises. I accept that love. When I accept that love, I begin to be
kind to myself. When I am kind to myself, I begin to be kind to others.
We are conduits for God's love to flow into the world. We
are one of millions of vehicles being used to transmit love. It's good that we
transmit this love to others, and we must also direct some toward ourselves.
Imagine if someone offered you some delicious food. Instead of eating some of
it, you gave all of it back to your friend. Your friend would sure appreciate
it, but you would eventually go hungry if you continued to give away all of
your food. In order for you to care for your friend, you must eventually eat
some yourself.
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