Ignite the Wonder Within™
Week 2: It is all about YOU!

How often do you say “I don’t have time”.  We are taught to put everyone else first and ourselves second.  Consequently, we have a nation full of people giving to the point of resentment.  Mother Teresa said, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  Nurture yourself so that when you give, you are truly giving from the heart.  Giving from a place of resentment is not giving it is depleting.

Many years ago I was volunteering and overheard another volunteer proudly state that she was missing her child’s concert in order to volunteer.  On that day, some twenty years ago I made a decision to always put family first and never let a perceived outside obligation take me away from who and what I love most.  However, unintentionally, this statement found me putting myself second to never. I had yet another lesson to learn about the importance of valuing myself, nurturing myself and caring daily for myself.

As my own knowledge of whole health grew,  I began to choose how I volunteer and use my time very carefully.  I focus on filling my heart and soul so I can be present and offer love, nurturing and support to my family (my family includes my close friends as well).  I focus on filling my heart and soul so that I may create and grow my business from a place of happiness. I find that the fuller my heart and soul is, the more I have to give without going into resentment.  When I begin feeling depleted, I recognize this as a sign that it’s time to refuel and it is time to say “no” to others and “yes” to me.  Is it easy?  Not always.  I catch myself constantly and still find that at times I must work my way through old  feelings of “guilt” and old beliefs  that putting myself first is selfish.  But really, when you are at your happiest, isn’t everyone else?

Wonder Within Success Step:  What can you do to nurture yourself daily? Choose one thing for “you” that feeds your heart and soul every day.  Whether it’s reading a chapter in a book you love, taking time to quietly sip a cup of tea, or walk around the block or simply taking ten – ten minutes of nothing.  Close your eyes and let your mind rest. Cherish these moments, breath deep and let go!

“I bless the world because I bless myself” ~The Course in Miracles

This mini-course is posted at my blog site and also sent out via e-newsletter.  If you would like to receive this Wellness Wednesday mini-course via email, please sign up for my newsletter. I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and discoveries – click here to comment.

Until next week ~ Kick up your feet, crack open a book, walk in the woods – make yourself smile daily!
~Suzy