Self-Care and Self-Love

In my travels in this life, I have noticed that as humans, we have a hard time taking care of ourselves. We spend our lives taking care of others and working hard, dealing with issues and circumstances, thinking that is the way to get ahead. We know from flight attendants that if we get into a situation in the air and you need your oxygen mask, you need to put it on yourself first in order to be able to help others. The same principle applies in every day life. We need to take care of the most important person in our lives first, and that is ourselves. If we do not take care of ourselves first we cannot expect to take care of others. How can we give what we do not have to give? It is of the utmost importance to nurture the soul and spirit within ourselves so that we have more to give. But how do I do that you may ask? Let me help you with that.

The most important thing you can do for yourself is to forgive yourself for all the mistakes you have made. You let yourself off the hook. When you do this, you let go of the negative, self-harming thoughts, and you make room within yourself for more love and giving. When you make room inside, you are opening your heart and soul to allow yourself to receive more of the thoughts and feelings that honour who you are. In turn, this positive energy is within you to share with the world. One person connected to love is more powerful than millions who are not. Your world starts with you.

It is also imperative to your health to let go of social conditioning that says you have to do everything right, that you have to be busy all the time, and that you have to work hard to get ahead. Life experience has taught me that this is not the case. I went through most of my life pushing myself so that I could get ahead. I rarely gave myself time to rest and relax because I was afraid of looking lazy. The sad truth is that I did that to myself. I put that expectation upon myself because of what I was conditioned to believe. I have since learned to challenge what my beliefs are and ask myself if that belief fits into my life now. If it does not, I let it go and replace it with the freedom of choice. Now, when I am tired from the day, I give myself permission to rest. I let go of the expectation that I have to get it all done right now. There is always another day and when my body tells me it needs a break, I honor myself by responding with rest and relaxation.

There is something else that is important to add to your life. That something is called fun. Remember when you were a child and how you loved to have fun and laugh with your friends? Some of you have forgotten that and allowed the adult life of work to get in the way of fun. It is vital that you incorporate things into your life that bring you joy, put a smile on your face, and make you laugh. Perhaps that is being involved in your favorite hobby, or perhaps it is volunteer work, or perhaps just hanging out with your friends. Maybe you enjoy exercise or being an active member of a sports group. Whatever it is that brings you joy needs to be as important as that sales meeting or work deadline. Without something fun in your life, life becomes boring and tiresome. If your job does not bring you joy, perhaps it is time to find a job that makes you happy and fulfilled. Perhaps it is time to start living your life on purpose by your choices rather than by default. It is time to take a look at your life and really pay attention to how your life looks to you. A change can be a great thing! Embrace the change and create the life you want. This is such a freeing experience and one that brings about immense pleasure and fun.

So give yourself the best love, care and compassion you can. Each and every day, do one thing that honours who you are. Allow yourself the freedom of expression and watch your world change. Each day do something that brings you pleasure. Each day perform one random act of kindness and see how good that makes you feel. Be grateful for all that you have in life and watch the changes that gratefulness creates for you. Look in the mirror and say "I love you" to that perfect reflection. Be good to yourself and you will have more to give to the world. Now go on and be extraordinary!!