Do you ever jump out of bed, brush your teeth, get dressed
and go straight to work? Or do you immediately check your texts,
email, etc.? You don’t take any time to build a solid foundation
for your day through slowing down and connecting with yourself.
How does this habit of go-go-go with no time for reflection
leave you feeling? For me it makes me feel anxious and ungrounded.
When I’m not connected in with myself, the slightest things can
throw me off. I am irritable and subject to creating discord with
Steve, my husband, mostly because he lives with me and he’s the
safest outlet for my daily frustrations.
Don’t those nearest and dearest to us deserve more than that?
Think about this. Someday we will all die. And we will no longer
have the opportunity to see our loved one smile, or hug them, or
let them know how important they are to us.
So why do we take them for granted? It’s a human tendency.
There’s this wonderful little book called Tuesdays with Morrie.
I read it 10-15 years ago and I remember it made me feel very
melancholy. My coach just recommended I read it again, saying
it would mean even more to me now that I’ve lost my daughter,
Maddie.
Morrie is a retired college professor who re-unites with one of
his favorite students, Mitch, from 20 years earlier. Mitch goes
to see Morrie every Tuesday and interviews him about life during
the last stage of Morrie’s life.
Even though Morrie is dying from ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease,
a brutal, unforgiving illness of the neurological system, he has
a remarkable attitude about how to live life.
Mitch is a big wig sports writer and has become overly busy
with his career and drive for success. It’s when his union goes
on strike, he’s no longer working, and he sees his old professor
on the Ted Koppel show, that he reaches out to him.
Morrie says to Mitch on one particular Tuesday: “We all know
we’re going to die, but we don’t believe it. If we did, we’d do things
differently…we’d be prepared for it at any time. That way you can
actually be more involved in your life while you’re living.
Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your
shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I
need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?’ The truth is, Mitch,
once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”
Hopefully you’re really starting to consider what I’m saying here.
Life is short and it’s not guaranteed. Last week I wrote about
creating boundaries that bless you, and one of the ways to do
that is to care for yourself first through a daily, rejuvenating self
care routine.
Remember you want to create one that feels wonderful to you.
It shouldn’t feel like a chore you HAVE TO do. You aren’t doing
it to be more lovable, because you already are that, but to be
more loving to yourself, because you deserve to be nurtured by
yourself.
Play soft music, light a candle, read some inspiring literature,
keep a gratitude journal, journal your feelings, meditate, tap
using emotional freedom technique, etc.
Find an appealing safe space, and pick and choose what feels
right to you. It can be as short as 15 minutes (any less may feel too
rushed) or as long as you like. But do what you can.
You are definitely worth it. And if you say you don’t have enough
time, is that true? We take care of things we value. Maybe you
aren’t valuing yourself enough…
I can help you with that if it’s the latter. Click on my calendar link
below and let’s schedule a few minutes to chat.
Much Love and Peace,
Angie
PS: The attached is a picture of my dog, Mars, who joins me
daily for my self care routine in Maddie’s room. It’s such precious
time, and it makes me better for the people I love and want to
help.
