ESPECIALLY if your purpose in life is to love and support other people.
Since leaving full time education I have spent chunks of time going head long into different things. The first block was all about travel and seeing the world. Then came pushing boundaries physically; running marathons and climbing up Kilimanjaro – I just wanted to see how far I could push my body. And then came career, I did courses and volunteering, and took on several jobs in order to push down the path of the field of work I was interested in. I pushed myself hard in all areas, but in reality the way I approached everything I did was really quite unsustainable.
Right now, I’m doing the most important work I’ve done so far in my life. Because it resonates with me so much I know that I can’t lose it, so I have no option but to find a way to make it to be sustainable. My conclusion, is that I have to look after myself, first.
Now I’ve given myself permission to eat well, exercise with respect for my body, see how it feels not to get drunk every weekend, I’ve given myself permission to meditate, to do yoga, to take baths, to read lots, to speak and be with people I love. I know I need to love myself and get to know myself in order to continue this work.
If you’re a person who is doing work that positively impacts people around you, or the wider world, you’ve got to think of yourself first. I know this may seem selfish, but it really isn’t.
You are the most important person in your life, ESPECIALLY if your purpose in life is to love and support others, and to make a positive impact in the world. Because when you love yourself, it emanates out to those around you.
Your children, colleagues, staff, clients, friends and family want to feel and experience the best of you. So looking after yourself is the best thing you can do for them.
So what I’m saying is, go, love yourself, give yourself permission to really get to know yourself, I guarantee you will love the core you find, and the people around you will feel the positive impact.
