What do you do to take care of you?
Really!
Please make space for a couple of deep breaths while you claim an answer… or six!
One of my answers is learning new things.
Nope. Not algebra formulas or batting averages. Not the names of top runway models. Not even the hottest shoes of the moment.
It’s not that I’m opposed to any of those things. It’s just that they’re not my things.
Painting is another of my answers. Not just the finished product, but the journey! And the sharing.
Bone broth is another, for me. Tending it in the enormous pot locally known as the cauldron. Breathing it in. Filling my belly and my soul with the magic of abundance out of almost nothing. Sharing it.
Being INTENTIONAL is a really, really big thing for me.
Intentional about how much news to let in, and when to say enough.
Intentional about spiritual practices… chosen ones, from different times and places.
Even intentional about signs in our garden and tank tops in my closet and buttons on my magic vest.
And intentional about holding on and letting go.
Actually, that last one is pretty big.
Holding on and letting go.
Fears. Old stories. Precious memories. Dreams. Learned limitations.
Which, when you get right down to it, is a whole lot like being …able to choose!
That’s a notion which has been important to me for quite a while, now. And – as you’ve probably guessed – it feels more urgent in this moment than before.
What feels that way for you? Important? Urgent? (Or, at least, time sensitive?)
I’m hoping that speaking out is on your list. And, yes, it can be scary. But, so is not speaking out!
Words are an obvious way of speaking out.
Images are another. A way I’m owning more and more!
And time!
I’ve made a new deal with my calendar.
Way more time for my list. What I love & feel called to do.
Considerably less time for the list. What I should do.
Oh, I still brush my teeth and stop for people in crosswalks. You know…
And I’ve moved some things from one list to the other.
Voting is an example of moving things.
I used to do it because, well, we should.
After my girls came along, it moved to the list of things I feel called to do.
(Along with emailing politicians and en-couraging others to vote!)
You see, a huge part of Grammy-ing, in my heart, is showing the less&less-Littles that they make a difference.
And showing them what that might look like!
Now, your list is probably different – at least in some ways – because it’s yours.
Here’s what I do know…
If you don’t take care of you – if you don’t honor your journey and your dreams – it’s going to be really hard for you to feel like you’re mattering.
And, if this world is going to work better, we all need to feel like we’re mattering… hopefully, for Love!
ps… if figuring out how to matter YOUR way seems way too big to do alone, START HERE! It will help! And give us some things to talk about, should you be curious about more help along the way.
pps… and, because images DO help, it’s Christmas in July at FierceArtWithHeart! Inspiration – all of it – for 20% off! Quantities, however, are limited so shop early and the elves will do the math automatically. (And, if you know somebody searching for inspiration, please share this invitation!)