Blue Sky Farm

My blogging posts and photos are part of me . I think of this as a scrapbook of my life. The names have not been changed.. they are real people who have crossed my path along my journey. Some I know intimately, my family and friends. If their names are mentioned it's a sure sign they are special to me and I love them dearly...come along see for yourself, perhaps you know some of them too..

January 31, 2009

Comforting Sense...Time for me

A walk on the beach..sit watch the waves beating the sand. Take a drive in the country, have a massage, do your nails. Spend the day in your pajamas, a walk through an antique store, a picnic in the park, curling up with a book & a cup of tea, fly a kite, take a long bubble bath, walk the dog, visit a friend, watch a movie, start a scrap book, or journal, play solitaire,
Let your mind wander. Listen to some soothing music, or Do nothing...
I know that sounds very selfish, but in truth it is what I call “Comforting Sense,” or Self Care ..
For several years I taught self -care classes to women who were in a shelter because of Domestic Violence in their lives. Many of these women were like me years ago, when I had no idea who I was, what I liked or what I wanted. Oh, I knew what I didn’t want and that list went on & on and I had no problem knowing what others were expecting of me. Does this sound like your life? It doesn’t have to be this way!
I would like to share with you once a week here on my blog some of the things I learned. These suggestions are not going to come easy for some, they will take practice..
This is the beginning.. The time is now. This is “Comforting Sense.”
#1 …taking time for yourself. (Time? I’m to busy. Where am I going to find time for me? ) The stressful cycle starts: you are too busy to nurture yourself, but without it your life threatens to become one boring and stressful day after another.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Are you doing what you want? Are you getting what you need? Are you loving and caring for yourself?
Everyone needs balance. Start with Relaxing, Take a break, Stop doing, sit, drop your shoulders, and breathe and be still. Start with 15 minutes a day. You may have to get up earlier, commit to finding the time…ideally ½ hour would be better..plan a whole day to do what you want.
Taking time off allows you to be more efficient when you return to doing whatever you were doing.
Relaxation is not a treat. It is necessary for your physical and emotional health. If you value your time and set limits on what you do for others, others will value your time and treat you with respect.
Remember : Before you can take good care of others you have to take good care of yourself. Sometimes it is necessary to say NO! without justification, explanation or defending.