Caring for You

In life, we need to learn to slow down and do what is important. The important things will be different for each of us, and yet we will know and understand them. If we don’t take time to realize and separate the important from the urgent or the mundane, we may be overrun and miss the essential things altogether.

To be ready to tackle the critical actions within our life, we need to work from the inside out to be prepared, available and understanding of each situation. It starts with taking care of ourselves. Many people do for everyone else and feel that it is selfish to make time for themselves. The truth is you have to take care of yourself so that you are ready and available when the essential things of life show up. Because you never know when and where the crucial needs are going to be required, you need care for yourself as you care for others, both physically and mentally so that you are ready and prepared.

Next, you need to take care of those things and people who are most important to you. Taking care of the people and the things that are closest to you and most vital to your happiness requires handling the small stuff. Taking care of small concerns, in the beginning, keeps them from becoming major problems later. This helps you find peace of mind, and the ability to look forward without being bogged down in the minutia.

Having yourself centered and aligned, and the people around you well allows you freedom. You can plan a future that will enable you and those around you to do the things each dreams of doing. You can explore, research, and find your way to where you want to be. To put this in another context, you have satisfied the basic needs of the Maslow pyramid and are moving towards self-actualization.

For many, who grew up watching John Wayne movies and ideas such as take care of the others first, this idea may sound a little strange and selfish. I do assure you though, this is the way to move forward with the people, items and ideas that are most important to you. It always, as with any journey you will take, starts with one person. You.

Please don’t take my word for this. As with anything worth doing, test it out. Start out small. If it works, try a little more. If it does not work, evaluate what you’re doing and determine if it is right for you or not. Remember, not everything works for everyone. This idea as with many good things comes with some trial and error.

Thank you for being with me today. I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. View all posts by Mike Balof