“And the way to find meaning in our lives, to feel better about ourselves, learn how to navigate relationships, be a better friend, or connected, or fun is not by hearing what not to do, but by learning and remembering and recognizing what to do.” ~ from Patti Digh’s Four Word Self Help.
It is a hard season, and one in which the definers of who I am and what I believed were solid are perhaps not so much so. I often ask my close friends “what is it you’ve done for yourself today?” for I know that self-care is so very vital to health. Lately I find myself each day seeking the reminder time…the time to engage in that which I value as priority in my day. The rest of it doesn’t end, the tasks, the roles, the work that I do and will continue to do for now, but there are more pauses to do what I love and with whom I love to do those things.
The Nester reminds us “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful” and I willingly choose continually to keep that in mind…and so the painting, the creating, the doing becomes a more purposeful part of the celebration of daily living a life I’d choose to live. I’m not an experienced painter, I’ve never been…but I enjoy painting and it gives me pleasure to try…and so I do…There may not be time for a large canvas or even a completed process…but for now there’s a 10 minute break for a small canvas…and it is enough.
Choosing self care is challenging for some of us. Choosing to become who we are while shedding who we are not is a challenge to many. I’m up for the challenge though of creating a life that works for my head and heart…and supports others to do so too.
How about you?
