Sunday, November 13, 2011

Self Care: Make the Time!

I was reminded by a great friend of mine recently the precious value there is in self-care and I've touched on this topic in at least one or two earlier posts.  I've been running around trying to get my mom settled in her new apartment and offering my moral support to another family member who is going through a really hard time... and of course, I am happy to do so and usually have the energy and time too, when my faithful babysitters are free, but taking care of others does utilize our own energy so it's crucial that we take the time to rejuvenate ourselves!  I definitely want to be clear that we can take care of ourselves AND support those around us as long as doing so doesn't hurt anyone else or ourselves!

I was remembering when I worked in San Diego for a non-profit law office taking in the stories of immigrant women survivors of domestic violence - literally translating their stories of abuse as part of their legal case to get their immigration papers in order without the help of their citizen abuser husbands and it weighed terribly on my heart.  So I had to take a permanent reprieve from working day in and day out with that sort of trauma.  It is very easy to make other people's stories and stress feel like our own, especially when we care deeply for them.  There is a way to keep our energy from being drained - self-care!  We also can work on grounding ourselves through deep breathing, meditation and imagining a protective energy around us when we know we are going to be interacting with people going through a very hard time or for those people who work with trama survivors or who are in very difficult situations.

There is always going to be something to do, someone to help or somewhere to go - and we should do it as our lives and time permits.  Supporting those around us and in our community can serve us at a deep, core level where our heart, mind and souls meet.  BUT, if we are running on empty, then we are no good to anyone.

Please, please, please let us vow to take time to calm our minds, release all heavy energy from our heart, focus on some simple beauties in life like the sunset, a beautiful flower, an autumn breeze, relax in our own way and refuel ourselves so that we can continue on our life path and be support for those around us!

Breathe. Smile. Release. Rejoice. Rejuvenate!

The photo for this post if from Elwood W McCay's profile on Free Digital Photos.


5 comments:

o w grant said...

Thank you, Jyothi.

Even Jesus said to love others as we love ourselves.

If we don't love ourselves enough to recognize our own need for care and attention, then how can we do so for others? When we (women in particular)over extend, nobody is served well.

Jyoti Kaneria said...

Thank you for your comment and for reading my blog! It's so easy for us to care for others before we care for ourselves... I'm always trying to remind myself of this! Thanks again!

Christina said...

A wonderful reminder ! Especially as we all head into the holiday season... Thanks for this post! -christina

Christina said...

A wonderful reminder, especially as we all head into the holiday season which can be so loaded and so full of care for others. Thank you! xoxoxoxoxooxoxo -christina

Jyoti Kaneria said...

Thanks Christina! Yes, we are gearing up for a busy time of year so self-care becomes even more important if not imperative!! Thanks!