So, it may seem odd for me to have a picture of myself at the top of this blog entry, but it goes with today's thought. I had a "fellowship moment" with some of my dear friends yesterday, and something that came out of the meeting was the thought "show up for yourself." Often times in life, especially as black females (and I say that because it is my context), it is easier to go hard and do so much for other people that we can neglect ourselves. I know I have been guilty, and I've spent many a day concerned more about the well-being of someone else than I did my own to the point it was detrimental to my own health.
What I have been learning in recent years is that real love and care from other people comes out an the overflow of love and care for self. When I take the time to care for myself, getting enough rest, spending time with God, eating better, do self-reflection, get care when necessary (counseling in which I get some help working through the ways I think and feel and why), and making sure that I am as well as I can be, then I can provide love and care for others without secretly desiring their affirmation or doing more than I can handle, then ending up with resentment as I get worn out trying to make others whole.
Showing up for myself means that as much as I do giving to and take care of others, I have to be intentional about showing up in the moments when I am the focus of what's going on. I can't be the last on my own list, because as much as others may care, they can't take care of me like I can. Thus, I have to show up for myself and make sure that I can show up for others.
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