There is no time like the  present.

There is no time in the present.

Focusing on the past wastes time we don’t have anyways in the present.

My schedule is packed.

Seriously: Here is a day in the life of me: Ready go.

Sunday: I work. I do get to go to church. So that’s cool.

Monday: Okay.. today, I am off work, but I am tired. And want to sleep.

Tuesday: I see clients till 3 o’clock. Then work till ten .

Wednesday : Clients till 3 and work till 10.

Thursday: Okay, I get to rest. I don’t work till 4. So maybe i’ll go have lunch with a friend. But I do have personal business that I take care of on Thursdays .

Friday: I don’t work. But I see clients. So again, I rest. and think about housework. But mostly rest. Because I am tired.

Saturday: Work 12-10.

 

I don’t give you my schedule to make you feel sorry for me. I show you this because I can 99.9% guarantee that 95.7% of you are in the same boat as me.

 

We live in a culture that glorifies a full plate as one who is productive and efficient.

But the question is, Are we effective?

I would say, to some degree we are. But Honestly, probably not.

To be effective, we must have margin. You know, time for play, friends, leisurely activities.

But if we give ourselves these opportunities, we leave ourselves open for someone else to slip in and take our place.

At least that’s what society and our minds tell us will happen.

As I grow in my practice, in being a counselor, and as a person in general, I like to step back and take a look at how I am treating myself.

By the looks of things, sometimes, I don’t treat me very well.

Now , this is not a moment of selfishness, but a realization, an understanding that in order to be the best me. To give my best to people, I must first care for myself.

Someone once gave this great analogy and said this:

caring for those around us while not taking care of ourselves is like trying to fill a glass that is cracked full of water: it will never get full.

Here’s the truth: Life gets busy. We all experience it. And we all do our best in each moment. But there are concrete things we can do to make sure we are at our best.

For me , that means, looking at my schedule and seeing what I can move around or let go of.

For me, that means, being intentional and selfish with my spare time.

For me, that means, actively prioritizing things and re organizing what happens in my life.

 

What does that look like for you?

Are you taking care of yourself?

You are worth taking care of yourself.

 

Be encouraged,

Rachael