How can being selfish or greedy enhance our spiritual lives? Tomorrow, Feb. 14th is Valentine’s Day, the traditional day for chocolates, champagne, and little love notes. It is the day set aside to show someone special that we care.
Some of us have advanced degrees in caring for others. Oftentimes at the personal expense of NOT caring for ourselves.
Some might even consider loving yourself selfish. Not ever wanting be considered selfish, I put my own personal wants and sometimes needs, on the back burner. My decision making process was stifled with others’ wishes, others’ happiness, and others’ needs topping my “to do list”. I now ask myself, as Dr. Phil would pry: “Now how’s that working for you?” Admittedly, it did not work for this “guilt sponge”. I lost myself in search to serve others. The lesson of “self-care” came at personal cost. Here’s what I learned.
The word “selfish” suffers from a bad connotation, but in reality it’s a “must” for healthy living. Be selfish with your time, your energy and your concern.
Be greedy with your precious hours – limit the energy spent on email, texts, and phone calls. Take care of yourself, not just enjoying an occasional message, but carve out daily time for exercise, meditation, or whatever feeds your physical and emotional health. You need time to renew, refresh,and reconnect.
Relationships can also rob you of your well being. Keep an eye on your circle of “friends”. Certain relationships can drain the energy right out your very being. Clean out the psychic “junk drawer” and encircle yourself with only those people that nourish and support you with “no guilt”.
Remember the flight attendant’s admonition: If the aircraft loses altitude the oxygen masks will come down: PUT YOUR OWN MASK ON FIRST AND THEN TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN!
Learn to love yourself first, and then you will have something special to share with others.
February Challenge: Do something each day just for yourself. Learn the art of self-love.
Follow my daily inspiration at www.PattyKogutek.com for the “Daily Inspiration and Motivation”.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
