Self-Care
Friends, we are obsessed with our bodies, but at the same time we are completely detached from them.
What are you telling your body today? Are you saying, you are broken. Why can’t you do more? Quit being lame and tired – push through. Why can’t you be like her? OR are you saying, You are a gift. I am grateful for every working part. You are working towards life and health. You are beautiful.
Your body is valuable and worth paying attention too. If you need proof, read 1 Corinthians 6:19:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”
You are the portable sanctuary of the living God.
Influence requires self-care. If you are a leader or a mentor, your mentee is watching how you balance family, work, and life. Your children are watching what you eat, how you play, and what you say about your body. Your husband is either praising or praying. Each will imitate or reject your behavior.
Self-care is not important, it is critical. (Lifehacker, 2016)
Self-care should not be another box on your to do list.
Self-care is about creating space on your daily calendar for the simple pleasures in life.
For example:
- 15 minutes to make your favorite lunch so you don’t eat fast food or skip lunch all together.
- 20 minutes to nap so you don’t have to power up on coffee or 5-hour energy drinks. Napping will increase your skill and creativity levels and you will receive 10 fold back what you missed by resting.
- 30 minutes of something you enjoy – reading, cooking, knitting or doing nothing.
- 30 minutes to move your body – take a walk, swim, hike or ride your bike.
The point is: Do something you like!
Self-care is not selfishness or narcissism. But it will surely lead there if you do not take care of yourself on a regular basis.
Self-care does not neglect work. Self-care enhances work. Many people find intrinsic reward in what they do. I know I do. In the past, I felt my work WAS self-care, I loved it so much I could do it 24/7. But the truth is, we must get outside our work if we are to learn and grow as human begins. Doing something outside of work stretches us and gives us new ideas and energy to contribute to the work we love and the people we serve.
Lack of self-care leads to:
- Burnout
- Stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed
- Limited skill and creativity
- Disease
If you think you can push your body, mind, and soul until vacation without daily self-care you are wrong. Within you brews a storm, no trip to Hawaii or even a 3-month sabbatical will fix. I know this for a fact.
I have watched people quit the ministry they loved because they cared for their ministry more than they cared for themselves. I have seen marriages dissolve because the person was married to the church or their work instead of his wife. In the last week, I have spent countless hours in the ICU by the bedside of a close friend who has stage 3 cancer because she took care of everyone else FIRST, neglecting the cry of her own body until it was at deaths door.
What will be your choice?
What small steps can you make today that will have great impact on tomorrow?