Self Care..the simplest definition that I found was “Attitudes and actions that contribute to happiness, balance and well being.  Although, normally it is women that have an issue with putting the needs of others to the point of burnout, it is not a gender specific problem…for I have seen many men that experience burnout…

We all have a tank(s) of energy..a physical, emotional, and mental tanks that we use on a daily basis…optimally, we refill out tanks daily by nourishing our body with premium fuel, exercising and being in nature…such things as journaling, meditating, reading talking to friends for renewed mental energy..emotionally we are renewed with giving and receiving love, being grateful, finding a spiritual connection…there are many ways to replenish one;s energy and each will be unique to you..

 

 

 

This week was a 60+ workweek..not fun and definitely exhausting in both body, mind and soul. When I was physically exhausted, I used my mental energy to push past the physical exhaustion, and then kept on going…till I had nothing left..

I was told by someone that I expected too much of myself…probably true.  I had both of my compadres out on vacation, and I was the only one left to man the boat..and there was no way that I was going to allow it to sink on my watch..being the perfectionistic  person that I am…I couldn’t stand to leave, without at least being at a manageable place to start the next morning..and I thought that upper management might appreciate the work that I was doing to help the company…

My lessons from this week and the last couple of months have been interesting…and I could probably write several blogs just on my own personal lessons, but the one that I re-learned..yes, unfortunately, I often have to learn the lesson and take the test several times before I take the lesson to heart…

I grew up being taught that..Hard work, buckling down, and shouldering through were strong expectations and values…and were typically rewarded in some way…more often it lends itself to chronic physical ailments and mental and emotional breakdowns…

Self Care is not a luxury…it is extremely necessary… we can sometimes feel very selfish in saying “no” and taking care of ourselves..we feel that we may become narcissistic …but the very opposite is true…

Self care is more than just a selfish act..for self care is a cycle where everyone in your circle and beyond benefits..when you take care of yourself, you empower and teach others to take care of themselves…you are able to fill your heart with love, joy and gratitude..which can flow into the lives of others that we come into contact with..and how much the world needs that beautiful and loving energy…

Be loving to yourself this week..for you are beautifully loved…always and forever

 

 

 

 

 

There are many decisions in our lives that are inconsequential and/or minor in the flow of an average day..what to wear..how to cut our hair..what side of the bed to get up on..yet, there are many that will change the trajectory of our lives…

I have made many such decisions within my life..some glorious and beautiful..and some that lead down dark and tortuous paths that took years to find my way back to the light from..

I have been working 50 – 60 hours per week for the last month or so..and my exhausted mind is in a heap on the floor of my consciousness..but there still an unrest..an unease, if you wish..for there are decisions that eventually must be made…fortunately they do not need to be made today.

Decisions are the downfall of many an INFJ..and will often send me down a spiral of vacillating thoughts..each with its own tempting offer..often seemingly attractive options…so how do I move from that miry conundrum..

I have been in a job that was sent to me at a time that I need to rest and recover…physically, spiritually, and mentally…a time of relative calm..it definitely has been where I needed to be…and there have been many beautiful and wonderful blessings…but is it time to leave…

But when is it time to move on..sometimes..how much is the reluctance to leave the place of comfort, just fear..I have been an adventurer all my life and I was never afraid..and I will never be happy or contented with the mundane..

I have known for awhile…that there is change “abrewing”..and that I would be moving into another adventure..but is the time now or is this just a interesting option that really holds no future…my story continues…another thread to weave..but is it a color that I want to take up…

 

The tragedies and adversities..adventures and misadventures..failures and triumphs..childhood trauma..a life raised in a cult..abusive marriages..yet wonderful travels..complementing a degree while working full time..creating a business and losing it..hopeful dreams..broken dreams..loving family and friends..and a God that has never abandoned me..a Heavenly Father who carried me more that I walked..

Just beautiful threads that strengthened the fabric of my life..it is the experiences of my life that created the person that I am today.. I am proud and you should be so proud of yourself for surviving..for going thorough the fires of and crushing pressures of life..that is what has made you the beautiful diamond that you are..

 

Doesn’t that resonant? ..How is that for describing life on a daily basis..but the end is something beautiful and to be cherished..your life is beautiful..

“The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.” 
― Daniel Defoe

*This blog post did not follow the original thought that I thought I was going to pursue..I was going to write about getting older and the wonderful adventures that are still waiting and the people that had their greatest accomplishments after the age of 50..so even though, this doesn’t follow the logical sequesnce..I will leave you with this thought..and hopefully, it will bring a smile..remember always..you are loved..

 

There is beauty even in the solitude of our lives…not in lonliness..for in lonliness we slowly and painfully die..

“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self” ~May Sarton

From the outside, both solitude and lonliness look the same..both are characterized by the singleness of a human..but there the sameness ends..

Solitude restores the body and mind..lonliness depletes them..lonliness is a sense of isolation..even within a group of people..solitude is being alone without being lonely..

In this crazy, nonstop, rushing by, noisy world..it is important to rest the body..mind..and soul..solitude is the best remedy for wholeness and peace..your brain and body need time to reboot occasionally..

Walk alone this fall..listen the crunchy crinkle of the fallen leaves..breathe the crisp morning air..hug yourself with a thick, warm sweater..and breathe..inhale deeply and exhale the stress and angst of the day..you may find a satisfying peacefulness in the solitude of the moment..

 

Yesterday was the first day of fall..wet and rainy..and yet, it was such a beautiful day…why do we love Fall so much..it is the ending of summer fun..sunny days and vacations…the beginning of cold and emptiness…yet there is a delicacy..an elegance that can be seen and felt…

There is a comfort to Fall..especially for our sensitive souls…there comes a quiet that we can embrace…roaming the deserted streets on rainy days watching the colorful leaves silently meander their way silently to the ground..Autumn is a realm of thoughtfulness, solitude and beautiful sadness…your breath is a cool white mist you breath on windows and draw hearts..there’s dew on the cobwebs, crisp leaves are underfoot..

Autumn demonstrates the fluidity and changeability of everything in life. It reminds us of the eternal cycle of existence and inspires us to embrace the change. It shows us how important it is to let go in order to make a fresh start and teaches us to accept the transition to a different stage in life…

Wrap your soul in the warmth of cozy dreams and languid thoughts,..your body in a large over-sized fluffy sweater..snuggle in with fuzzy feelings..inhale the fragrance of cinnamon and pumpkin spice..quiet the spirit and watch the leaves turn vibrant hues of burgundy, reds, oranges and brown..be in awe of the elegance of Mother Nature on  misty autumnal mornings…“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.”~John Howard Bryant

“Out of Suffering have emerged the strongest of souls, the most massive characters are seared with scars ~ Khalil Gibran

We all carry the scars of the pain that has come into our lives, whether emotional, spiritual or physical…they are our stories..

I often don’t reveal my story, because I carry many scars..and I have in the past..hidden behind a mask of what I thought people wanted to see..be the woman that no one heard the painful cries in the middle of the night..

But in the healing, I have become proud of my scars..my unique beautiful marks..for I have survived..I am a Warrior Queen…I have fought and I have won..they were unable to keep me down..

Time..sometimes years.. healing takes time..and some wounds may always be sensitive to the touch.. the most beautiful people are beautifully broken..for through the brokenness, the light of love can shine through…

Be Proud of Your Scars..You are a Survivor and You are loved Forever and Always…

 

 

There are days when life feels overwhelming, and the world is all awry..and what can one do…just like Alice in Wonderland..it feels like we have all gone down the rabbit hole…and “we are all mad here”…

What is one to do…sometimes it is the small ripples in the pond or the beating of the wings of a butterfly…that small change can give rise to a big tidal wave…

There have been times that I would go to pay for a meal and someone ahead of me paid for it already..I did not know them and they did not know me..but how much a difference it made in my day and months/years later…I still remember..

It is something anyone can do…Say “Thank you”, a lot…Befriend the lonely person…Let the person who seems rushed cut in front of you… Hold your tongue…Hold the door open for someone…Give freely – Go through your things and give freely to those in need…Send a care package to a solider…Try to find goodness in the person you don’t like…Do nice things and don’t tell anyone about it…Come to the rescue of someone in need…Smile easily and laugh…Say “Hi” to strangers…Smile at people…Be understanding – Assume the best in others…Donate your vacation or sick days to a person at work who is struggling with cancer or another horrible illness…Don’t let your friends (or co-workers or acquaintances) be alone on the holidays…Listen to someone’s life story…Pay for someone’s coffee behind you in line…Visit a nursing home and talk to someone who’s lonely…Donate your clothes you no longer wear…Say “thank you” more…Make an extra lunch for a homeless person…Scrape the ice off the other cars in your driveway….Give someone a hug…Text someone you know is going through a hard time..Tell someone all the things you love about them…Encourage someone…Go be someone’s miracle today..for you are loved forever and always..remind someone that they are too..

 

“Born without arms and legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disability to live not just independently but a rich, fulfilling life, becoming a role model. Now an internationally known motivational speaker bringing the message that the most important goal for anyone is to find their life’s purpose despite whatever difficulties stand in their way.”  youtube.com/watch