One scripture that resonated with me last year was “love your neighbor as yourself”. Many a times we try to love our neighbors more than ourselves because we are trying to be selfless: putting their needs before our own. Which is not a bad thing per say as there is no greater love than for one to lay down their life for another. However what usually results in that is you are left burnt out: and you can not give from an empty cup.
When you board a plane the air hostess will tell you that if the plane goes into turbulence you have to put on your oxygen mask before you help someone else… why? Because you can’t help someone if you have passed out due to lack of oxygen. And that’s exactly why self care and taking time to look after yourself is important.
It took me a while to grasp that it is not a selfish act but rather a necessity, and I want to encourage you this month to take time out to check on yourself. Show yourself the same grace and kindness as you would others, speak encouragingly, compliment yourself, cheer yourself on. The more you do it to yourself the more your cup will overflow for you to lavish on others.
It doesn’t have to be big exorbitant acts: it could be sitting down and finishing a cup of tea, or taking a walk. Love yourself a little everyday using small acts of kindness. When you feel it’s too much allow yourself the time to rest. Yes we are strong, stronger than even but sometimes it’s necessary to be soft and allow yourself to rest, recuperate and heal.
Love yourself so that you know what loving owe to be. If you don’t know what loving means to you it will be difficult to expect others to express it to you.
May your February be filled with kindness, joy and laughter.
Beatrice Schultz 
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