“You can’t be a resource for others, unless you nourish yourself.”~Alexandra Stoddard
We hear it every time we get on a plane. “Put your own oxygen mask on first.”
We hear it so often, that we might not really pay attention to what it means or why they say that to us. Pretty obviously, if we can’t breathe, if we don’t have enough oxygen or air, we can’t help anyone else. But many of us forget this concept daily. Especially when we have team members or family members or anyone who relies on us.
We really don’t have much, if anything, to give if we’re not filled up ourselves.
Those of you who have seen me in person recently know that I’m pretty quick to show pretty much anyone the tattoo on my arm that reads, “first most always” – as in love yourself first, most, and always. It’s a lesson, a mantra, a way of living and being that took me decades to come to and that has given me so much nourishment with which we can use to be a resource for others.
When we nourish ourselves – mind, body, heart, and spirit – and love ourselves, we have the strength to handle challenges, the energy to keep going, the wisdom to pause when that’s the next best action, and the buffer we need when people and or circumstances frustrate us. It’s kind of amazing how something so simple, yet not always easy to do, can yield such a return on our investment.
Nourishing ourselves can mean getting enough food during the day or sleep during the night. It can mean taking a break to walk around the block, do a mind puzzle, or chat with a friend. It can mean steadying our meditation practice or reading a good book. There are about as many ways to nourish oneself as there are people.
Sometimes taking care of ourselves – or loving ourselves first, most, and always – can get a bad rap. We can be seen as selfish. But I think the word “selfish” itself has gotten a bad rap because, if we don’t put ourselves first sometimes and care for ourselves enough to be fully stocked, we have very, very, very little to give.
How have you learned to nourish yourself? What do you do?
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For support in loving yourself first, most, and always, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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