Celebrate our Humanity….Every.Single.Day.

I recently read a book called, “It’s Not About You” that reinforced how I feel about life – “Life is not about you. It’s about what you do for others. The key to creating collective well-being is to start by improving the life of another person” and it encourages us to “keep focused on the daily moments that matter”. I keep a kindness journal where I write down the kindness that I encounter in the world – it is encouraging and it keeps me focused and reminded that, no matter how strong or closed we may act (or others around us may act), we are human beings and humanity needs connection and kindness.

I was recently reminded of the importance of caring for yourself – ensuring that you are strong and healthy both mentally and physically so that you can make the world around you a better place. The reminder came as the flight attendant on the plane reminded us that before you help someone else with their oxygen mask, you need to put your own on. So, this week, I am engaging in a little self-care…reading, thinking, writing, a massage, good food and even a couple of afternoon naps.

10 Reasons to Engage in Self-Care:
1. Physical Well-Being – exercise, good nutrition and proper sleep
2. Mental and Emotional Well-Being – meditate, practice yoga, look for ways to reduce stress (for me it is actually exercise and hobbies that help me relax – walking, biking, quilting, knitting, crocheting)…as well as spending time with people I love and babysitting or spending time with my favourite little people, Charlotte and Mason
3. Your productivity improves and you accomplish more – you have more energy to support and show kindness to others.
4. Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Worth – when you value your own humanity and vulnerability, it opens you up to being better able to support others
5. Improved relationships and more authentic connections to others – you become a REAL person that others can relate to and you become a better listener and friend
6. Stress reduction is about developing strategies that help you cope when life hands you challenges and disappointments.
7. Improved Mental Health reduces anxiety and depression – when you learn to engage in activities that make you stronger, you are more able to support others and getting outside yourself is the best way to improve your mental health. By making a contribution and having a purpose, you add value to your life and the lives of those around you.
8. Increase your creativity and passion – you find out what you love and you add it to the world. Connect your talenst with how you can contribute to the world. The best way to fill your bucket is to spend time filling other peoples’ buckets.
9. Your long term health improves and even when you ultimately must face a health challenge, you can cope and recover. Engaging in self-care means that you know your limits and therefore you create appropriate boundaries when you need to.
10. Your overall life satisfaction improves as you create balance and find the middle way. You find a joy that is steady in your life – even if it dips a little during hard times or rises a little during exciting times – you have that balance of joy that helps you focus on controlling what is within your control and you can become fully engaged in meaningful contributions to other human beings. You don’t need position of permission to have a positive impact – you just need to start. Sometimes, you have to start with yourself.

Written by Pam