Mastering Self-Care
Self-care is often overlooked when it comes to our spiritual development or other pursuits. In my case, my yearning for growth sometimes made me forget the importance of appreciating the simple actions that nourish us.
I want to elevate self-care to a form of art because I believe that it has so much more to offer. After all, self-care is what makes our present moment enjoyable or not. It also enables us to show up when we have to.
In essence, these practices are all about grounding yourself and creating balance. It seems simple but I assure you that it’s not. For these practices often fall prey to distractions or denial.
The reality is, we need more self-care than ever now. We are constantly stressed and absorbed by what is happening around us. And most people never take a moment in their day to do something that they truly love.
But without cultivating love for ourselves, we cannot give love to others. Indeed, unconditional love only comes when there is an overflow from within us. Yet, most of us are living in a state of deficiency all the time.
We also have a tendency to focus too much on the realization of an outcome, however virtuous it is. The problem is that this outcome is built from the actions, feelings, and thoughts you are experiencing right now.
So this means that increasing our sense of joy and peace in this moment, will manifest them in our future as well. The same goes for our negative thoughts and feelings. If we are obsessed with desire or scarcity right now, it will only be worse in a few years.
This leaves us with tremendous power and responsibility. We can either choose the downward spiral or the upward spiral. Yet, it is very easy to pick the wrong one in pursuit of a noble goal.
The bottom line is that the greatest thing you can do for your growth and for the world, is to take care of yourself now. Especially in the times we are living, grounding yourself with self-love is not a luxury, it's a vital necessity.
You can connect to spirit or your higher self in very mundane actions like eating and sleeping. By honoring your body you are taking steps towards your higher purpose.
We all need self-care practices that light up our soul. Some are essential like getting enough sleep, water, nutritious food, and movement, in your day. Some self-care practices deepen your connection to the present moment, like breathing, time in nature, meditation, or journaling.
But some are also specific to each individual. Personally, my favorites include: flow training, walking barefoot in the forest, cold showers, dancing, meditating, and breathwork.
We all have a responsibility to take care of ourselves first. Whatever we do and whoever we want to help, it all starts with us. As self-care reconnects us to love and to our infinite source.
So... What are your favorite self-care practices?
What's the #1 self-care habit that balances and grounds you?
How can you do a little bit more of that today?
