Serve Yourself

"You will find that when you start your day by serving you, it will not be challenging to serve others."
-Red Feather

For many, caring for others comes first, often at the expense of caring for ourselves. Over time this leads to exhaustion, overwhelm and resentment on the part of the caregiver.

Most of us have been there at one time or another. It just seems easiest to respond to the loudest demand and then the next and the next after that, rather than making the effort to balance with time for nurturing ourselves. We think we can make time for ourselves later. Yet somehow later doesn’t happen because later is filled with meeting other’s needs too.
​
What is the solution here? We can only feed others for so long if we do not also feed ourselves. Giving yourself permission to serve yourself is not selfish, it is essential.

Aircraft safety instructions recommend first putting the oxygen mask on yourself in the event of depressurization of the cockpit if you are traveling with young children. Why is this? It is so that you can be conscious enough to then put the mask on your children.

​As a caregiver making sure to take care of yourself makes it possible for you to continue to care for others. The same is true with any demanding life situation. It is essential to care lovingly for yourself first so that you may serve with love.  


Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash 

Your Spiritual Toolbox

​Today, take Red Feather’s advice. Structure your day so that you have time to care for yourself first thing in the morning, or as soon as possible thereafter. Give yourself permission to serve yourself in whatever way feels nurturing to you.

Red Feather goes on to say,  “Attend to yourself with a good breakfast, maybe some meditation or inner peace, some movement.”

It does not have to be a long time. Just knowing that you have a routine of self - nurturance every day is supportive in the most loving way. 

* To read more about Red Feather, visit: www.redfeatherwisdom.com