Don’t Forget to Care for Yourself

You know, some are really good at taking care of others. For some people, it just comes natural. Look at our doctors and nurses and all the other individuals who take care of us when we are sick and unable to do for ourselves. Think about those who don’t do it for the money. We take care of our kids and our elderly without even a thought of what they can do for us in return. These kinds of people have a level of responsibility that extends to others thoughtlessly and truthfully, I’m amazed and appreciative for them. I only hope that others think of me like that. But sometimes I also wonder how they do so much for others and yet have so little time to focus on themselves.

When we take care of ourselves, have you ever felt uncomfortable doing so? I mean, if you have become so used to taking care of others, do you feel guilty about wanting to place a little focus on yourself? I know I do. For me, there are times when just taking a break, a nap, a day off feels…irresponsible. I actually feel as if I am being selfish when I choose to take a moment to reflect on my own well-being. It’s a guilty pleasure and often more guilt than pleasure. What can be even more detrimental is when we start to measure our worth by how much of ourselves we can give away while sacrificing our own needs.

Well, if you haven’t heard this before, listen to me here: Caring for yourself doesn’t mean you have stopped caring about everyone else. When we start a practice of mindful awareness, we ask ourselves to take heed and notice of when our generosity becomes an abandonment of self and personal negligence. Just taking a second to notice our level of exhaustion, how overwhelmed we may have become (or are becoming), or simply just too busy to ask ourselves how we are doing isn’t a practice of self-compassion.

A Kind Rebirth doesn’t ask you to abandon any responsibility, big or small. It doesn’t request that you become less available either. It only attempts to remind us that we should consider striving to make our own happiness and welfare more than just a convenience. In fact, to make it a priority.

Friends, God willing, you will always have the opportunity to serve others in need. Unfortunately there is no shortage of those who could use a helping hand. But remember those hands that help others are designed to serve yourself peacefully and mindfully. So when you are making a list of who you can help, make sure your name is on that list too.

Stay mindful…

Rebirth