If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:
Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions
Do you love yourself?
This is has never been an easy task, well not for me anyway. I have always battled to just love myself the way I am. I’m always trying to do better/be better/look better. I am happy with where I find myself in my life right now. Certain things can be improved but all in good time. Not everything is controllable. Sometimes we need to do what we need to do and believe and have faith that God will take care of the rest. To love yourself is accepting who you are. And it’s ok to not have it all figured out as yet. There are many opportunities to learn and grow as you go through life. You just need to be open to the idea(s) and willing to take on the opportunity when it arises. Of course I love myself but I tend to put the needs of others ahead of my own. It is not something I do consciously but rather it has become my second nature. It just happens…
Be open to ideas and take the opportunity
Are you on YOUR priority list?
It’s ok to be a little selfish here. You know the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup…” If you are not ok, how will you be able to help someone else? Believe it or not but if you don’t love yourself, how will you love someone else? You need to take care of yourself first, so that you can take care of others. More often than not, as a parent you take care of your kids needs first. (Well this is my #truth ) And as you work your way down your priority list you eventually get to yourself…Or do you? Are you even on YOUR priority list? I have been told that I have a very caring nature. I tend to “care” ALOT about others’ well-being but it seems in the process I forget to nurture my own well-being. I will go the extra mile to ensure that those on my priority list will be taken care of in whatever form, shape or size required but why don’t I just do the same for me…
Secure your oxygen mask first before you assist fellow passengers
Recently, Dudie and I have been butting heads over morning routines. This child will drop what he is busy with to help someone else. Now as much as I love that about it, it also grates me to no end as this is normally why we need to rush during school runs. I used the example airlines use in their safety videos, “You need to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can assist fellow passengers.” Much to my delight, he immediately got the message and seems a little more focused these days. And then to my detriment, I also realised such is life too. I need to secure MY oxygen mask first!
This was by far one of the most difficult posts to write. It’s not that I don’t have the words. It’s that I don’t know how to put what is inside my head into a blogpost.
So do you love yourself?
Food for thought: Would you secure your oxygen mask first or someone else’s?
Spirited Mama
x
Jonelle du Pont
I wrote a similar post yesterday – absolutely agree with this “Secure your oxygen mask first before you assist fellow passengers” also – you can’t pour from an empty cup really reminds me to fill my cup!!
spiritedmama1
Thanks Jonelle. I need to check out your post 🙂 I have to constantly remind myself…sometimes life gets too busy and I tend to neglect myself.
Megan Kelly Botha
One of my favourite examples in life is the oxygen mask – what use are you if you’ve already passed out. Rathe secure your mask, so you can be a greater help!
spiritedmama1
Agreed Megan. I have used this example multiple times but this time, it just clicked with him. Maturity levels stepped up perhaps 🙂
Melissa Javan
The oxygen mask thing is hard to swallow. I’ve realised that I try to fix or help others ahead of myself, not putting my mask on first before doing that.
spiritedmama1
I hear you Melissa. It’s not easy to take care of yourself when you know someone else needs you too. But it is necessary. Some people are born to be carers…
Jan Zac
Hello ,
I saw your tweets and thought I will check your website. Have to say it looks very good!
I’m also interested in this topic and have recently started my journey as young entrepreneur.
I’m also looking for the ways on how to promote my website. I have tried AdSense and Facebok Ads, however it is getting very expensive.
Can you recommend something what works best for you?
Would appreciate, if you can have a quick look at my website and give me an advice what I should improve: http://janzac.com/
(Recently I have added a new page about FutureNet and the way how users can make money on this social networking portal.)
I have subscribed to your newsletter. 🙂
Hope to hear from you soon.
P.S.
Maybe I will add link to your website on my website and you will add link to my website on your website? It will improve SEO of our websites, right? What do you think?
Regards
Jan Zac
Jeannette Wentzel
Love this series and specifically this part. I have been struggling to make time for myself in between family demands. A great reminder that I need to look after myself before I can look after my family. You can’t pour from an empty cup. #lekkerlinky
spiritedmama1
You’re welcome Jeannette. Making time for myself is my biggest challenge too.
MomOfTwoLittleGirls
This is such a good point. I’m so glad you linked it up to the same #lekkerlinky as Nadia’s post because she’s running on empty and this is such a good reminder to her and to all of us to just look after ourselves first so we can do everything else we have to do.
Thanks for linking up! x
spiritedmama1
Thanks Carly. I guess at some point we all run on empty…and we all need gentle reminders to prioritise ourselves.
Noleen Miller
I think once we parents, we often forget to put ourselves on the priority list. Since my kids are older now, I’m prioritising myself. Showing kindness to myself even if it is just taking time out for myself or doing small things for myself. It’s so true what you saying about securing your own oxygen mask first before trying to help others. See to yourself first and your own wellbeing before trying to remedy others – what’s the use you are broken – how is that going to help others. Love this post #lekkerlinky
spiritedmama1
Thanks Noleen. It’s easier said than done as I guess for some of us it’s human nature to take care of others first. Well done on prioritising yourself.
Chanene Ablett
It is a continuous struggle and reading pieces are a sign to reflect and take back a piece of oneself. I love this series and the irony is I need to take more time out to read it because I need these reminders #lekkerlinky
spiritedmama1
Thanks Chanene. I’m going through some struggles doing this series…but it is necessary to reflect and like you said “take back a piece of oneself”.
Sade
This post really gets your brain thinking. Its such a tough questions but we all know the answer. We cant give off our ourselves if there is nothing to give. Thanks for a great post! #lekkerlinky
spiritedmama1
Tough indeed. Thanks Sade.
MrsFF
Real food for thought! Secure your oxygen mask before helping others!!! Your tank needs to be replenished before you can give to others. Essential reminder
spiritedmama1
Thanks MrsFF. Sometimes we run on empty tanks and can’t figure out why we just have nothing left to give…My tank needs to be replenished soon:-)
Nicola
Ah…I should have read this first before commenting on the post I just commented on …actually, I need to read the entire series, I love your style of writing, it certainly resonates with me
spiritedmama1
🙂 I saw the other comment. Thanks Nicola. Will love to hear your thoughts… Trying to take in the positives from everyone. Happy it resonates with you. It’s great to hear that people can relate. Adds to my purpose for blogging.