“The name of the game is taking care of yourself, because you’re going to live long enough to wish you had.”  Grace Mirabella

What did you last do to refresh and energize yourself?

The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.  (Mark 1:35, NLT)

Self care sounds so selfish and self-centered.  But no matter how it sounds, it is so very necessary.  An incredibly large number of people find out the hard way that the cost for not taking care of themselves can be quite high.  This is a trap that is especially deceptive to those whose very profession involves caring for others.  The prime example that comes to my mind is pastors.  But there are so many other people that are performing service-oriented tasks as well.  Quoting from today’s link, “Outside the world of paid work, the people more prone to burnout than any other group are caregivers: people who devote themselves to the unpaid care of chronically ill or disabled family members.”

Tip 10 from the happiness list (1/4/08 DG) reminds us to “treat yourself.”  It suggests that you “take a few minutes each day to give yourself a little treat, whether that’s something like chocolate [dark and organic according to Sharon], or berries, or a bubble bath, or walking barefoot in the grass, or taking a nap. Whatever it is, treat yourself. You deserve it.”  So very fundamental, yet so very easy to overlook.

We cannot long ignore the fact that we must minister, or serve, others “from the overflow.”  In other words, we must have our cup filled and overflowing in order to be able to give our best to others.  That which we give should be from that overflow rather than from our lack.  It should be obvious that continually giving from your lack will just increase the lack over time until there is just nothing left to give at all–aka burnout.  Then those you are serving are suddenly left with no service at all.  How much better for all if the service provider would remember to provide service to self first.

Ever think about the warning from the flight attendants on every flight you take?  Something like, “In the event of an emergency which causes the cabin to lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling above you.  Those of you traveling with small children should put your mask on first and then help your children with their masks.”  Why is that?  Minister from the overflow.  You’re not going to be much help to those children if you pass out because you can’t breathe. 

Jesus did it.  He withdrew daily to spend time in prayer with His Father.  He was “filling His tank.”  He knew that He could not effectively accomplish His mission if He was drained. 

It’s so vital–no only for happiness, but also for overall well-being and productivity.  Take time each day, and maybe some time many times during the day, to do the little, seemingly non-productive, things that will fill your tank.  It’s so easy to do…but the insidious reality is that it is so easy not to do.  But understand that if you don’t do it, it will catch up with you.  Don’t believe me?  Read the Designer’s manual.

Prayer Power
Lord, forgive us for ignoring our very design and trying to serve others without taking the time to recognize the absolute need to care for ourself first.  We thank You for our bodies and minds that are so “fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Give us the grace and wisdom to get our priorities in alignment with Yours.
 
Link of the Day
Preventing Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Strategies to Avoid It

Blessings on you as you stop to “fill your tank” today…and tomorrow…and the day after.