Self-Care

 What a concept! Self-care is miles away from the selfishness I used to demonstrate. 

I used to equate self-care with over-indulgence. It was to be avoided if I wanted to be a ‘self-less’ person. Unfortunately, my understanding was stunted, and my selfishness showed up in a myriad of other ways. I had set-in-stone ideas of how life should be, leaving no room for the needs of others. In my selfishness, I imagined that I knew best, that I knew the most, and that I alone could solve your problems. What a bunch of self-serving rot! This coincided with the downward spiral of depression. I didn’t see any relationship between the two, because, to my mind, if people would just straighten up and do things my way, all would be well.

Maybe I should have gone into an immersion tank and just lived there.

Today I’ll be getting a massage. Aahhhh, relaxation! I recently got my first real facial. Oohhhhh, lovely! I’m caring for myself in other ways as well. I’ve been shedding weight. I am honoring my body by watching what I ingest, and I honor my inner-self through constantly learning, taking classes, reading, movement, and finding ways to express my creativity. I serve others; that is food for my soul. I sing; that is more soul food.

There are so many ways to show kindness to myself, which is what self-care is all about. When I talk to myself, I do so gently. Self-care. When I goof up, I treat it as a lesson and move on. Self-care. When I write this blog, I am exploring my creativity in a new way. Self-care. When I get together with a friend, I am enriching my life. Self-care.

I have learned to put my own oxygen mask on first. That puts me in a position to actively help others put their own masks on, if they need and want assistance. 

Today, I am grateful for the understanding of the importance of self-care, and the ability to follow through on receiving it.