Caring for Your Self

Sometimes it's hard to accept self care. Sometimes we find ourselves in the rut of thinking we should work, work, work and sacrifice ourselves for some greater thing - whether that's family, finances or good old fashioned Americanism. We find projects to start and finish without giving ourselves time to restore and revive. But self care is absolutely necessary to a peaceful mind and soul.

What are the things you want to cultivate in yourself? Compassion, joy, gratitude - something along those lines? What are the emotions you accept as part of the rainbow of human experience, but don't want to feel all the time - anger, irritation, self-loathing - something along those lines? Practicing self care keeps these negative emotions at a minimum while nurturing the positive ones. When we are taken care of, we are more content and less apt to thinking we're not enough. When we accept that we're enough, the angst floats off into the clouds. When you came to yoga, maybe even in spite of the reason you started, you began a new self care routine. You began to become aware of your sensations and to let go of tension. Perhaps you found some peace inside - and spread that peace to those around you.

Self care is not vain or shallow; it's needed. It's needed so you can find peace within and so we can find peace with each other. Imagine if everyone took a yoga class and soaked their feet tonight. Wouldn't tomorrow morning be lovely?