The thought for today is CARING. Research demonstrates that caring (compassionate, warm-hearted and loving) leads to being healthy, wealthy and wise. You can read more about this study Harvard study here.
Marketing executives would have you think that happiness lies in a product that will taste delicious, magically fill your bank account, or transform you into a supermodel that looks not a day past 20. The science shows something different. Caring, compassion and giving lights up the happiness centers of your brain much more than winning the lottery.
Even more important is self love the crowning sense of self worth; it is what the Greeks call reverence for the self.”
How often do you find yourself engaging in self-conversation that sounds like this:
“What will people think?”
“I can’t really love myself yet. I’m not ____________ enough” (fill in the blank, pretty, skinny, successful, rich, talaneted, happy, smart, feminine, masculine, productive, nice, strong, tough, caring, popular, creative, well-liked, admired, contributing . . . .)
“No one canfind out about ______________________.”
“I’m going to pretend that everything is okay.”
“I can change to fit in if I have to.”
“Taking care of them is more important than taking care of me.”
Truth is caring for yourself (self-love) is learning to trust yourself, treat yourself with respect and be kind and affectionate with yourself exactly where you are right now. You can only care for yourself and the world when you are your authentic self and embrace that. This is the essence of true caring.
Today, make a list of at least five ways that you can love you imperfections and honor yourself more fully.
Think About It
In what ways do you care for yourself?
Take Action
Write about three areas in your life in which you could care for yourself, and make a commitment to take do that. What has not caring for yourself in certain areas cost you? What support do you need to make a change. Create an intention diary to support yourself.
Major Do: Be more loving and compassionate towards yourself as you notice your imperfections.
Major Don’t: Get off your case. If you goof up, so what? Just decided to change it.
Debbie, this is a great challenge, even for those of us who have learned to importance of self-care. That Harvard study about the power of caring – wow! I believe it… this is really important and I’m so glad you’re getting the message out!
I love this post. Sometimes it feels like it’s what is missing in the world…caring. Caring both for ourselves and for the future. I love the action plan, and I’m going to have to do this one today. Great meaning to self-care. Thank you Debbie.