Self-Care is Self-Love

Posted by LeeAnn on October 13th, 2009 at 03:53pm

A few months ago I moved back to my mother’s home to assist in her care and well being. She is 83 and a 43 year cancer survivor. Self-care has not been one of her strong suits. She has engaged in life as the pioneer woman that she is – gritty, tough, and moving through life by will.

It is odd to be in a place of noticing. I notice how hard it is for her to be vulnerable and of course I have to look at myself and see where I allow myself to be vulnerable. And I wonder how many of you allow vulnerability to be part of your experience?

Our culture says it values “doing.” Being, the qualities of allowing such as peace, love, generosity and serenity are often mowed over by a world that seems to think we are in a race to some end. Yet, when we attend to our states of being, what we need to do becomes clear and orderly.

Self-care is a first order priority. When we don’t take time for ourselves, our bodies sometimes makes sure we reprioritize and make time for ourselves. My mom did not model self-care growing up. Even now she doesn’t put herself first. She doesn’t understand that she is valuable and worthy of taking time for her.

I am learning the lesson of self-love. My body is reminding me that I need to put me first and that even in a major transition I need to stop and put my life in a loving order.

Just for today, what one loving thing can you do that is an act of self-care? What commitment can you make that puts you first, rather than last?

A walk
Journaling
A cup of tea and time with a favorite book
Coloring
Time outdoors
Time with the horses
Meditation, prayer work or affirmations
Time in the silence

You are worthy of a life filled with grace and love. We get what we give out and when we send the message that we are valuable and take time to love ourselves, the world begins to treat us with the same respect.

Happy trails,

leeann_sg