Treat Yourself 1

​I’ve always been a big fan of Halloween.  However, this year I wasn’t able to really get into the “Halloween Spirit” due to many personal challenges.  This got me thinking about others who have challenges, every day due to physical, mental or psychological factors that are a part of their lives on a daily basis.  Not just, one bad month as I have experienced.  When I think about those with ongoing challenges, I can’t help but to think “what motivates them?”  Being incapacitated for one month had brought about many questions about my physical, mental and psychological health.  For months, I have been running around thinking “I’m ok” but all along, I haven’t been.  It’s crazy to think that all the time and energy we put into others doesn’t seem to manifest itself into one’s own care.

So, what does all of this have to do with Halloween?  Halloween is the earmark to the holiday season and that’s when we start thinking about those we love, lost and still struggling to find.  This is the time of year, when we get so caught up in others and trying to please, make memorable moments with, or spend frantically to show our appreciation.  That we fail to show appreciation for ourselves.  Now, I’m not saying ignore all of these things, I’m simply saying that the holiday season can also be about you.  

I’ve been told, over and over again, “you have to take care of yourself, before you can take care of other’s” to which I have always shrugged and thought there is no time to take care of me.  I have family, work, friends, kid’s activities, birthdays, anniversaries to tend to.  I have to do all of this before I can even start to think about me.  “If I don’t, who will?”  Well, believe it or not, someone does and will take care of all of your so called “obligations.”  Surprisingly, someone does step up.  The scary part is all in your mind.  All of those you thinking you have to care of, can actually take care of themselves and for those that can’t someone else will.

Many times, we get so caught up in, “I’m the only one” mindset that we fail to realize we are not the only ones.  And for those of you that feel like there is no one, there is someone other than you that will take care of your obligation for a day or two so that you can take care of you.  You don’t have to fear your need to let go.  

This earmark to the holiday season should be a treat to all of us who think of other’s first, and to stop and ponder “what motivates me?”  Embark on that journey into the holiday season.  You can’t love someone or take care of someone, if you don’t love and take care of yourself first.