"Appreciation and self-love are the most important tools that you could ever nurture" - Abraham
I want to start a revolution.
The revolution will begin with me choosing to be as kind & caring to myself [or more] as I am to those around me.
I recently made a wish on a cupcake.
[something that happens kind of frequently these days]
Or perhaps I set an intention [or hope] as I exhaled and blew out my candle, surrounded by people I adore and being held by their light, their love, their joy.
My wish was to love and embrace myself with as much kindness as I do all the other people in my life.
At first, I struggled to talk and write about this. I went into my head with old stories about worthiness, guilt & being selfish.
I’ve been practicing intentional self-care for the past three years. It feels so amazing to have done the work to know what I need, and to claim and to honor my needs, in the midst of everyday life. Now I am ready to do what comes next, which is prioritizing kindness with myself. Teaching about this [while still learning how to do it] is what is next for me.
I have been a caregiver and nurturer, in some way, shape or form, for many of my 42 years. It's part of who I am and is so ingrained in me. I love through touch, by paying attention & through my presence. I love by caregiving, mothering & nurturing those around me. I am a giving pro.
In truth, the ways that I love can be exhausting. It can feel lopsided and leave me feeling resentful. Some days I wonder if there is space for my needs within all of the pieces that I am balancing. Where do I fit in?
Then the realization comes that I know that my needs must take up space in the world. My needs must occupy their own sacred space. Because I hold and carry so much. Because I deserve. Because in order to show up in life in the way that I want, I must claim kindness with myself. And so I will.
The revolution will begin with me choosing to be as kind & caring to myself [or more] as I am to those around me.
I recently made a wish on a cupcake.
[something that happens kind of frequently these days]
Or perhaps I set an intention [or hope] as I exhaled and blew out my candle, surrounded by people I adore and being held by their light, their love, their joy.
My wish was to love and embrace myself with as much kindness as I do all the other people in my life.
At first, I struggled to talk and write about this. I went into my head with old stories about worthiness, guilt & being selfish.
I’ve been practicing intentional self-care for the past three years. It feels so amazing to have done the work to know what I need, and to claim and to honor my needs, in the midst of everyday life. Now I am ready to do what comes next, which is prioritizing kindness with myself. Teaching about this [while still learning how to do it] is what is next for me.
I have been a caregiver and nurturer, in some way, shape or form, for many of my 42 years. It's part of who I am and is so ingrained in me. I love through touch, by paying attention & through my presence. I love by caregiving, mothering & nurturing those around me. I am a giving pro.
In truth, the ways that I love can be exhausting. It can feel lopsided and leave me feeling resentful. Some days I wonder if there is space for my needs within all of the pieces that I am balancing. Where do I fit in?
Then the realization comes that I know that my needs must take up space in the world. My needs must occupy their own sacred space. Because I hold and carry so much. Because I deserve. Because in order to show up in life in the way that I want, I must claim kindness with myself. And so I will.
As I notice how and when I am resentful, tired or overwhelmed, I begin to connect the dots. I notice that during these times, my well is quite empty. I have been focused on filling the glasses of those around me, but not my own.
And then:
I remember that nourishing kindness within can come in tiny, precise action or in larger, spacious steps.
I remember that I have assembled an amazing tool box of ways to take care of myself.
I remember that I get to choose, even when it feels like I don't have a choice.
I remember that I get to stop mid-course and change directions if I want to.
I remember that using my voice is necessary.
I remember that being is just as important as doing.
I remember that I can ask for support.
I remember that I get to ask for what I need and want at any point in time.
I remember that I am human and I take a deep breath. And then I exhale.
I remember that I have strategies to shut down my inner mean girl.
I remember that I continue to be the author of my own beautiful life, especially in the midst of difficulty, sadness & frustration.
I remember that I matter.
What I know is that you are a precious gift. I believe that your needs and wishes and wants matter. You deserve to take up space. You deserve to treat yourself with kindness and respect. And what a blessing it is for you to embrace nurturing yourself in this way.
Nourishing Kindness is a revolution. Want to join us? Sign up below to get details on when this program will be offered!
And then:
I remember that nourishing kindness within can come in tiny, precise action or in larger, spacious steps.
I remember that I have assembled an amazing tool box of ways to take care of myself.
I remember that I get to choose, even when it feels like I don't have a choice.
I remember that I get to stop mid-course and change directions if I want to.
I remember that using my voice is necessary.
I remember that being is just as important as doing.
I remember that I can ask for support.
I remember that I get to ask for what I need and want at any point in time.
I remember that I am human and I take a deep breath. And then I exhale.
I remember that I have strategies to shut down my inner mean girl.
I remember that I continue to be the author of my own beautiful life, especially in the midst of difficulty, sadness & frustration.
I remember that I matter.
What I know is that you are a precious gift. I believe that your needs and wishes and wants matter. You deserve to take up space. You deserve to treat yourself with kindness and respect. And what a blessing it is for you to embrace nurturing yourself in this way.
Nourishing Kindness is a revolution. Want to join us? Sign up below to get details on when this program will be offered!
