I told you HERE that this has been a swirl in my brain. There is SO MUCH that we could talk about and learn when it comes to taking care of ourselves. “Just keep pulling the thread” has been my motto. I will keep asking questions, trying to learn the answers and see what God would show me.
A great starting place for us is to acknowledge a few things:
You are made up of a physical body as well as the parts of you that are unseen (emotional & spiritual).
You likely are not giving yourself the attention you need to be fully well.
It is not only okay but necessary to take time dedicated to YOU so that you can be healthy inside and out.
Healing, growth and self-care are HARD but oh so worth it.
What is self-care?
Self-care is a very active and powerful choice to engage in the activities that are required to gain or maintain an optimal level of overall health. And in this case, overall health includes not just the physical, but the psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual components of an individual’s well-being.
Why should we learn about and practice self-care?
If lasting fulfillment and significance comes from expanding your world by loving and serving others, one starting place is asking, “What do I have to give?” In this fast-paced, driven culture, often the answer is, “Not much.” When your best energy goes toward surviving, there isn’t much left for thriving, let alone giving. Coaching Questions by Tony Stoltzfus
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 MSG
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesian 2:10 AMP
The bottom line: You were created by a loving God to live an abundant and thriving life. We can expect trouble, tiredness and sorrow but there is MUCH we can do to help ourselves. Your choice to be an active participant in your well being can change the quality of your life.
How will we make it happen?
- Determine where we are and identify areas that need work.
- Figure out what keeps us from doing those things that we know make us feel better and keep us well.
- Make decisions about where we are going. What does a healthy life look like for us?
- Make a plan to get there and start building new habits into our days.
I so desperately want you to be able to exhale…to see that because you are made by God you are worth caring for…this doesn’t have to be extravagant…expensive…cumbersome. Caring for yourself can be learned and a natural part of your daily life just like you care for everyone else.
