Most of the time our days are non stop. We take care of family, pets, work, friendships and just about anything else that comes our way. It’s part of who we are and what we do. We often spend so much time making sure that everyone else is taken care of that we often forget the most important person of all, ourselves.

Taking care of everyone else to the point where we neglect ourselves is not only detrimental to our psyche it can also be detrimental to our health. We certainly do what we have to do to make sure that things get done and tasks are accomplished. However, somewhere in that schedule it is incredibly important to ensure that we are taking time out for ourselves. Time to rejuvenate, relax and recharge. Now that may sound selfish to some, but in reality it is healthy and necessary for our spiritual and physical well being.

The other night I was watching television and felt the need for a little alone time. I have a pool right outside my living room door that doesn’t get used as much as it should. I turned on some instrumental music, lit the tiki torches around the pool, jumped in and just became one with myself. As I floated on the water I could feel the stresses of the day, all the tasks that I still had to accomplish and the desire to be doing something else float away. That half hour belonged to no one else but me and I felt wonderful.

Those are the kind of moments that we need to steal for ourselves. It can also be a hobby, a craft, shopping or something else that you really enjoy. Just you and the moment where you have the opportunity to build that inner strength and be reminded that you have the ability to take care of yourself in a world where you take care of so many others. Sometimes just carving out a few minutes or a half hour for you is just the ticket.

This may sound easy, but I know as much as anyone that it is hard to do. During that me time many things start calling to you and it is important to block them out and stay focused in the moment. No one can force us to take care of ourselves. Only we can ensure that we are taking steps to be emotionally and physically healthy. If you live by a calendar, block out time on your calendar and call it “me time”. When you wake up in the morning consider your day and decide where you can squeeze a couple minutes in the day just for you. No one deserves it more than you.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron