By Cheri Kimbel

There is a reason that when an airplane is about to take off, the flight attendant instructs you, in the event of lowered cabin pressure, that you should put your own mask on before helping others.  I mean, this says it all….if you can’t breathe, how can you assist those around you, the ones that need you the most?   

Caring for others can only be done well if you place a priority on your own self care.  Imagine a pitcher full of water….once it is gone, it is gone.  There’s nothing left to give.  Just as the last few drops are emptied out, your energy, patience and self-control can also become depleted if you don’t allow yourself to re-fuel.  When you think of it like this, is should be easy to place an emphasis on taking care of yourself first.  So why is it so hard?

You may think there’s not enough time in your day, so you have to give yourself permission to take an hour to work out.

You may think there’s never any extra, so you have to give yourself permission to  go ahead and spend a little money on yourself-a much needed treat can refresh you more than you know-you deserve it!

You may feel like you don’t have enough energy, so give yourself permission to tell your kids you need a 15 min break.  

You may not feel like you have enough support, so schedule lunch with a friend or give yourself (and your partner) permission to set up a non-negotiable night out to reconnect and re-open communication that has gone stale.

If a pot of water Is boiling, and the pressure is not lessened, or the heat turned down, it will escape over the top.  When you are at your boiling point, you have permission to give yourself the space you need to lessen the pressure.  Otherwise you’ll have a big mess to clean up.  Show yourself some LOVE.  Your loved ones will be better off for it.

Take a deep breath and think about what makes you smile…what makes you feel refreshed and then GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION-have lunch with friends, read that book or watch that movie…..giving yourself that much needed re-set might just change your whole day and your whole perspective.  

 Care for yourself so your best care for those you love.

It’s that simple.
It’s that important. 

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION.