Self Care- What If It's Not About You?

Self Care- What If It's Not About You?

Is self care selfish? Is having fun irresponsible? Or are these ways to make a positive difference in the world? I'm feeling newly inspired by a little book, Your Life is Your Message by Eknath Easwaran. (This title was inspired by the author's hero, Mahatma Ghandi.) He tackles the grand agendas of a harmonious planet, global peace or economics with a simple and profound declaration.

What matters most is how you live your own life.

This is not a brand new thought, but it's really sinking in more deeply. It feels so true.
Easwaran acknowledges many of our challenges such as poverty, drug abuse, tensions among various peoples, wars and increasing threats to our environment. The punch line keeps coming back to individuals' own personal commitment to "quietly change the world by changing themselves."

"The only way to influence people for the better-your family, your friends, your club, your class, your clinic, your society, even your enemies-is through your personal example.

Harmony with the environment- the alleviation of our environmental crisis- and harmony with others- the easing of our social, political and economic difficulties-both begin with a third harmony: harmony with ourselves."

Your Next Step:

What does this perspective stir up in you?

Where does this feel true?

What's challenging or perplexing about this for you?

~ Marian Baker ~