Self-love

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Taking care of oneself is not selfish. When flying, the stewardess tells passengers to put on their oxygen masks first in case of emergency. You cannot take care of others without good self-care. You cannot give others what you do not have. A wise counselor once told me, “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.” 

It Is Written

MARK 12:30-31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  “There is no commandment greater than these.”

Unselfish Love

If we do not love and care for ourselves, how can we love others? Unselfish love treats others as well as oneself. Balanced self-care ensures our basic needs are met so we can do the same for others. Just as a stewardess instructs us to put our oxygen mask on first so we can help others. Here is a simple reminder of how to refuel. Keep a list of one-minute, ten-minute, or thirty-minute treats as a reminder to refuel and take care of you.

Prayer

Lord, help me retreat when I have done too much, haven't gotten enough rest, or have overextended myself to the point of resentment. Help me remember that I need to take care of my basic needs so I can take care of others.

Takeaway

Balanced self-love is a good thing.