| UNBOUNDED JOY Issue 3 LOVING YOURSELF |
I think one of the biggest mistakes we make as women is to put everything and everyone else ahead of
taking care of ourselves. We have been taught that we must take care of the family, husband,
household, and for some, the work force, all before we take time out for us. It's like we were trained
that it is a sin to take spend time on ourselves - selfish even.
There was a commercial in the 80's (I think) about Calgon bath oil. If I'm remembering correctly, the
woman would be standing there frazzled with all she had to do - screaming kids in the background,
things bubbling over on the stove, noise everywhere - and she cries, "Calgon! Take me away." Next
scene, you'd see her sitting in a big bubble bath, dreaming of far away places. That became a catch
phrase when my friends and I were feeling like life overwhelmed us - Calgon! Take us AWAY!
By putting everyone else first, we actually end up hurting ourselves and others. If we don't take time
out for ourselves, eventually it will begin to show. We become impatient, snap at our children, kick the
dog, resent our husbands, and dream of running away from all the things on our to-do list. Life loses
its luster and we begin to wonder, "Is this ALL there is? Is THIS what I'll be doing the rest of my life?"
Rarely does what we see in our life line up with what we once dreamed it would be!
My mom taught me a vital lesson when I was a single parent. She was watching my son after school
while I worked. One day when I came to pick him up she said, "Let him stay here tonight and you go
spend some time on yourself. If you don't take some time for Nan, you really won't be a good mother
to him. You are more than just a mom."
I was so excited about this free time - and I had NO idea how to spend it. I could take myself out to eat
or to a movie. I could visit friends or go wander the book stacks at the library. I actually opted to take
a LONG soaking bath that didn't involve any little knuckles knocking on the door saying, "Mom, how
long are you going to be in there? I want... I need... I blah blah blah." NO interruptions. I put on some
soft jazz, lit some candles and soaked until my skin shriveled up!
I had time to lotion up my skin and gave myself a manicure and pedicure - and actually had time for my
nails to dry after they were polished without some little boy disaster needing me to use my hands
before the polish dried. I fixed a salad then read a book in the amazingly quiet house. I was so
relaxed by the end of the evening even though I'd done nothing but spend a little time on "ME" - it felt
great!
Just by taking a little time to love myself, I remember than I am important and deserve that time. I have
discovered it doesn't take much time to feel special and relaxed. Even if all you can do is set aside an
hour a week, make an appointment with YOU. Spend some time doing whatever is NOT work related,
family related, husband related, children related, or household chores related. Do something just for
YOU on something YOU enjoy. You are important and you should never lose sight of that.
DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. It is VERY important to take a little time just for you. Whatever time you
spend on yourself will impact those around you. You will be more relaxed. You will remember that you
are more than a mother, wife and co-worker. You can keep in contact with those things you love to do
but pretty much set aside as life took over. Take an art class, read a book, soak in the tub, visit a
museum, or take a weekend trip once in awhile. Just remember that it is OK to love yourself, too.
Take Calgon-inspired time for YOU. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
See you next time! Follow your UNBOUNDED JOY!
Nan
taking care of ourselves. We have been taught that we must take care of the family, husband,
household, and for some, the work force, all before we take time out for us. It's like we were trained
that it is a sin to take spend time on ourselves - selfish even.
There was a commercial in the 80's (I think) about Calgon bath oil. If I'm remembering correctly, the
woman would be standing there frazzled with all she had to do - screaming kids in the background,
things bubbling over on the stove, noise everywhere - and she cries, "Calgon! Take me away." Next
scene, you'd see her sitting in a big bubble bath, dreaming of far away places. That became a catch
phrase when my friends and I were feeling like life overwhelmed us - Calgon! Take us AWAY!
By putting everyone else first, we actually end up hurting ourselves and others. If we don't take time
out for ourselves, eventually it will begin to show. We become impatient, snap at our children, kick the
dog, resent our husbands, and dream of running away from all the things on our to-do list. Life loses
its luster and we begin to wonder, "Is this ALL there is? Is THIS what I'll be doing the rest of my life?"
Rarely does what we see in our life line up with what we once dreamed it would be!
My mom taught me a vital lesson when I was a single parent. She was watching my son after school
while I worked. One day when I came to pick him up she said, "Let him stay here tonight and you go
spend some time on yourself. If you don't take some time for Nan, you really won't be a good mother
to him. You are more than just a mom."
I was so excited about this free time - and I had NO idea how to spend it. I could take myself out to eat
or to a movie. I could visit friends or go wander the book stacks at the library. I actually opted to take
a LONG soaking bath that didn't involve any little knuckles knocking on the door saying, "Mom, how
long are you going to be in there? I want... I need... I blah blah blah." NO interruptions. I put on some
soft jazz, lit some candles and soaked until my skin shriveled up!
I had time to lotion up my skin and gave myself a manicure and pedicure - and actually had time for my
nails to dry after they were polished without some little boy disaster needing me to use my hands
before the polish dried. I fixed a salad then read a book in the amazingly quiet house. I was so
relaxed by the end of the evening even though I'd done nothing but spend a little time on "ME" - it felt
great!
Just by taking a little time to love myself, I remember than I am important and deserve that time. I have
discovered it doesn't take much time to feel special and relaxed. Even if all you can do is set aside an
hour a week, make an appointment with YOU. Spend some time doing whatever is NOT work related,
family related, husband related, children related, or household chores related. Do something just for
YOU on something YOU enjoy. You are important and you should never lose sight of that.
DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. It is VERY important to take a little time just for you. Whatever time you
spend on yourself will impact those around you. You will be more relaxed. You will remember that you
are more than a mother, wife and co-worker. You can keep in contact with those things you love to do
but pretty much set aside as life took over. Take an art class, read a book, soak in the tub, visit a
museum, or take a weekend trip once in awhile. Just remember that it is OK to love yourself, too.
Take Calgon-inspired time for YOU. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
See you next time! Follow your UNBOUNDED JOY!
Nan
| Unbounded Copyright © 2009 Nan C Loyd Anointed Word Ministries All rights reserved. Used by permission |
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