A Simple Pledge for SELF!

 One thing that we all seem to forget about is ourselves!!!!!  Especially this time of the year.  We worry about holidays and shopping and stocking and doing all the things that lead up to the end of the year and somewhere in it all we tend to forget about OURSELVES!!!!!!  Well, if we don't take care of self - no one else will!!!

It is important - especially if you are a giver.  You and I both tend to give it all away, leaving not much left for us!   HEY YOU - WE are important too!!!!!!!!

"A balanced life begins with giving yourself the gift of a few moments each day to nourish your soul."

Anonymous

We all need to achieve balance.  It is hard to find the right mix of mind, body and spirit.  Where does it all begin?  Well, that is each person's perspective.  You need to figure out how important YOU are and how much time YOU need to keep yourself grounded.

Our mother's and grandmother's may not have understood this - as life was just about taking care of family.  Many of you have been the same - family and work - but now many of us are in the phase of life that we need to be mindful of ourselves as well.

If nothing else, set aside 20 - 30 minutes a day to do something that actually gives you joy and/or more energy.

Stress is inevitable.  We worry about family, pets, health, home, finances, jobs, the world, etc.  Yes, we tend to be worriers.  By dwelling on the negative, you tend to suck the joy out of your life.  You have to have a happy medium.  By dwelling on the bad - you can actually throw yourself into a depression. That is not a good thing.

Realize what you can actually do and change.  World problems?  You can't change it except to pray. People have been evil and fighting for centuries, that has not changed.  I hate the stuff going on, it saddens me, it makes me cringe, but all I can do is pray.  I personally cannot change what centuries/decades of hate has produced.  Turn off the TV - and limit your time with it.

Family?  You can only do so much.  You can't make decisions for others (well you can - but they won't use them).  We can't live another person's life - just ours. Each person makes their own mistakes - we just need to love unconditionally.

A home we can practice family time, meals together, game night, and long talks together, understanding.  We can, for ourselves, have a nice home spa night, listen to calming music, take a walk, enjoy nature............

Our home?  We as an individual can only do so much in a certain time frame.  As much as we would love to believe it - no one is Wonder Woman!!!!  Do what you can today - and then tomorrow and then the next day.  If you have family there, enlist them to help some - it is their home as well.

Preparing?  Do what seems right for you and/or your family.  Take care of your finances as well as possible and hopefully have some back for a rainy day, emergency or a pleasure.  Stock what you need to feel comfortable.  What I do or what Martha does - isn't you!!!!  You do what is right for you.  Keep what you eat, what you like, and what you think is appropriate and use it.

Start and end each day with pampering yourself.  Pamper your skin, have your hot tea or coffee, read you devotionals, pray, do yoga, whatever makes you calm and feel better.

If things are really bad for you and you can't seem to get yourself in a good head space - seek HELP!  PLEASE!  It is OK to admit you can't do it alone.  Depression may be more serious than many think and it can be life-threatening.  We have no idea what goes on inside another person's mind.  The good news is, there is help available.

If your depression interferes with your daily activities, changes your eating habits, affects your sleep habits, affects your feelings of self worth, concentrating, or presents thoughts of suicide - PLEASE seek help!

This time of the year is joyful for most - it is happy, family, children, festivities, etc.  BUT not for everyone - it often brings out the worst feeling in self.

PLEDGE to keep yourself happy and give yourself a break now and then.  Get up and move each day, eat right, get fresh air and sunshine, have good conversation with others, and know that there is ALWAYS someone that will listen to you and that there is someone who cares.

Care about yourself the way you care for others.

Invite balance into your life - you will be amazed.  Once you have balance and perspective - others seem to see it too and it affects them as well.  Your joy and happiness can spread joy and happiness to others.  They in turn can do the same and boy does the ball get rolling!!!!!!

One person at a time, one family at a time, one community, one city, one country............there is a ripple that happens!

We can't solve the world's problems - but we can gain a little balance and peace for ourselves and our families.  I will TAKE THAT!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day!