I must confess that changing over to a monthly newsletter was motivated by 2 very different reasons.
First and foremost I felt that lengthening the time between newsletters would allow me to pull together better quality material in a very concise format that would also serve to lighten your inbox load.
My second motivation has to do with steps that I am taking towards establishing a much-needed cultivation of self-care of myself.
I have taken on new ventures over the past couple of years and although I love and have loved each of them, the time commitment and mental preparation to ensure that each project is completed to my standards has been in the forefront and taking proper care of myself has been way down on my priority list. And that mode of conduct has come right around to bite me on the butt. Over the past few months I have had 2 rounds of a cold and many sleepless nights but perhaps the biggest issue has been a flare up of my lymphedema. This particular little nuisance has cost me dollars, a boatload of time and the grand inconvenience of having to have my arm taped from hand to shoulder to bring down the swelling. It has interfered with my workouts, washing dishes and wearing short sleeves. And if I had of done what I knew very well I should have been doing all along to take care of myself, I could have avoided this entirely.
At this point I could easily turn this blog in to a lesson on lymphedema care. But I will save that for another time. You see I am really good about doling out information on health and self-care but over the past few months I have realized that I need to become a student of my own teachings. And I venture to guess that many of you are in the same boat, taking care of others and things and commitments and neglecting your own needs. Self-care isn’t self-indulgence or self-ishness. It is an act of kindness to both yourself and those who depend on you. Think of it this way. If you go down, how many are you taking with you?!!
You must take time to take care of yourself now before you are forced to make time later.