Taking Care of #1

When I started writing about kindness, I was thinking about being kind to others--I was very outwardly focused. I realized last night and this morning that we also need to be kind to ourselves. I think that many of us are in the "people-pleasing business." We try so hard to help and please those around us that we forget about our own health and mental well-being. This is especially difficult for women who are often wives, mothers, co-workers, and volunteers all at the same time. We juggle so many tasks and responsibilities that we would rather not eat, not sleep, not exercise, etc., than keep from disappointing someone. (That always used to be my excuse, anyway, for not eating right and exercizing.)

Today I had the opportunity to take a trip that would have been really fun, but I ended up not going because of all of the tasks that lay before me this week. While I'm somewhat disappointed that I didn't go, I did weigh the benefits of staying behind and working on some school work. While today would have been more fun if I had gone on the trip, my week would have been stressful and difficult because of all of the work I would have put off. Today I was able to relax, cook a good meal, workout at the gym, spend some time talking to God, and get some much needed school work finished. Hopefully, this will lessen the stress on me this week and allow me to be more upbeat and fun in the classroom. Because let's face it--if we are stressed and grumpy, everyone around us will be too because they'll have to deal with us!

Sometimes the best way to be kind to others is to take care of #1 first! Don't forget to be kind to yourself whether that means alone time, family time, a good meal, or time with God. Do something this labor day weekend to take the stress off of yourself! You, and everyone around you this week, will be EXTREMELY glad you did!

Oh, and one more thing...all of you who have been saying that there is just not enough TIME to do this or that (mainly eating right and working out), I'm here to say that it truly IS just an excuse and a lie from the enemy. I used to say it too, but it's simply untrue. You CAN and SHOULD find time to take care of your health and sometimes it's the most spiritual thing you can do!