Affirmation: “I am a friend to myself.”
Journal Prompt:
How can I care for myself more?
Self-Care Ritual:
I’m sure some of you have seen this writing before, and I hope it impacted your life as it has done for me. I share it here, so others will know it’s power.
REASON, SEASON, LIFETIME
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When someone is in your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people involved; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships, and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life.
~ Brian A. (Drew) Chalker
I’ve always been able to make friends, no matter where I was. My mom used to say I could make friends with a fence post. And to this day, I still don’t know a stranger. I am always willing to start a conversation, or lend a hand to someone in need.
But as I read the affirmation, and opened my journal to write from the prompt, I began to ponder whether I’ve always been a good friend to myself. I began to wonder if I’ve managed to rise up for myself in the reasons, seasons, and in this lifetime I live.
And the answer, sadly, is no.
No, I’ve not always been a friend to myself.
I’ve lied to myself.
I’ve cheated myself out of time, talent, and treasure.
I’ve neglected my hygiene, my health, and my heart.
I’ve denied myself attention I desired, so as not to impose on others.
But that all stops now, right here, today.
There is nothing wrong with needing attention…
It doesn’t make me selfish!
It doesn’t make me desperate, or a burden, or weak!
It makes me human!
We ALL need to be seen, heard, and valued!
And we ALL deserve to have those needs met!
And YOU ARE NOT EXCEPTION!!!
You deserve to be acknowledged, and loved, and cared for!
You deserve to shine!
Don’t let anyone else, including yourself, convince you otherwise!
And the most important lifetime relationship you’ll ever have…
The ONLY TRULY lifetime relationship you’ll ever have…
Is with yourself!
YOU ARE YOUR OWN BFF… Best Friend FOREVER!!!
This is YOUR life!
YOU own it!
YOU MATTER!
It’s time to protect, nurture, and care for yourself!
Today’s self-care ritual, is for you to take all those things you wrote about in your journaling, and treat your BFF to a special date!
You have this one life.
How do you want to spend it?