It has come to mean an apologetic and uncompromising commitment to nurture myself – every crevice and fold and layer of my body, my mind and my spirit.

Silence and solitude to read, pray, meditate and journal are the staples of my self-care routine. However, when I am unable to retreat to my corner on the front porch for my self-care ritual, I have learned to take mental breaks from the noise of daily life, find my center, connect to God in prayer and gratitude which always, always eases the stress, washes me with calm and delights my spirit.

At one time, I’d grow frustrated when I life prevented me from stealing away to my corner on the front porch for my self-care session. But I’ve learned to find my quiet space right there in the midst of talk and laughter and movement. There, in that mental space, God guides me into a ritual of silent prayer, gratitude, emotional understanding and refreshinge and physical rest.

Cheryl Wright’s last blog post..Saturday Soirée – Go to your writing. Write your story

Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Somebody’s Daughter

The author asked the reader to imagine that you’ve been called to help feed a village of starving people. You land in a plane laden with more than enough supplies. You set up the tent and make preparations to distribute the food. As the people line up with bowls in hand, you are overcome by the needs of these people.

When it comes time for you to eat – you pass. The food is needed by others – not you.

You continue your work – preparing and distributing the much needed food but soon you discover that you are starving too. Because you didn’t take care of yourself – now you are unable to prepare the food for others.

As a wife/mother/business owner I find myself “tapping into” that word picture often.

It’s SO EASY for some of us to focus upon feeding others and forget to feed ourselves – both physically AND spiritually.

Tess – BTW – I am ordering a copy of the book and counting it as an act of “self care”.

Kathy | Virtual Impax’s last blog post..#1 Rule for Social Media Marketing Success…

Jocelyn of I TAKE OFF THE MASK’s last blog post..Tips Before You Leave Your Job

Oh this is fantastic! I just saw Cheryl for the first time at the I CAN DO IT! conference and will be writing about her lecture on the Art of Extreme Self Care in Day 4. She was phenomenal!!!

I loved her topic because I feel that it is something that is missing in so many people’s lives today, but especially women’s, and especially women who are mothers. I see it all around me all the time. First come the kids, then the spouse, the house and ususally at the end of all that there is nothing left for “her”.

Self care to me is a very integral area to one’s life. I am happy to say that it is not an area I lack in one bit. I have always put things like proper sleep, proper eating above all else. Then of course having time for things that are pleasurable for me. This allows me to be the best that I can for others, and in turn I end up spending quality time with them, where I can be present to them and for them.

Some people think that the area of self-care is somewhat selfish, but if we cannot take care of ourselves, how can we ever truly take care of others?

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Tess,
I like your name! I attended Catholic schools for 11 years. What a tough job you have!
I wish you well and hope you continue to put yourself first everyday!

Juliet,
It’s so much better to have your mental health than new, nice clothes. I’m glad you’re you!

Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Monday Magic Freebie Cheryl Richardson’s New Book