Happy Easter! A fun family day! I know, you got everyone’s Easter basket ready, made plans for your religious observance, planned brunch, got all the food for Easter dinner, colored eggs, did all the holiday preparations….
But what did you do for YOU? What is going to happen today that is for you?
I know you are rolling your eyes, it is a family holiday, it isn’t about you. But the thing is, it’s never about you…. and it’s never about me, a realization that often hits me hard. In the course of a day what have you done for you?
Today, it’s hard to do that. For me, too. My sister is away visiting her son and his wife, we usually do holidays together. So I am cooking dinner for Russ, Sara, Joey and myself. And it’s funny how holiday meals have the same prep as they do if you had twenty people showing up. Granted it’s more low key but I still am making all the things they love.
Today isn’t about me, it’s about our family.
But tomorrow? I need to do some things for me. Need to feed my soul a bit. I know I need to. Sometimes, I get so into doing things for other people, that I totally forget about myself. I get lost in projects and “have to’s“ for other people. So much so that at the end of the day? I don’t think I did a single thing for myself.
Awhile ago, I had a great conversation with Dr. Jack. He told me that as he hears about my days, he often thinks that I do so much for other people and yet next to nothing for myself. And I realized he is totally right! What do I do for me??
For me, it is awful! I admit that. His words hit me one day, when I looked down at my dry hands. And I thought, that I would look for some lotion in my bag later. And suddenly his words hit me….. wow! I won’t even take one minute to take care of myself?? Seriously? I am awful at this.. I realized that it goes on all day…. like I didn’t finish my lunch, no big deal…. I would like to make myself something nice for dinner, nah…. I have some leftover chicken, that’s good enough. Wow….. how did I get like that?
I am not alone…….What do you do for you? How often do you push yourself on this side? “I don’t need anything, I am fine.” Yeah.. obviously we aren’t or you would,have stopped reading.
Maybe today is a great day to think about that. I know my week off from school already has far too much jammed in. Saturday is Sara’s baby shower! JOY! But lots to do to get ready…. and I have some tutoring students needing help, but I absolutely need to squeeze in some ME time. And so do you!
So while you are making the great day for the kids, stuffing Easter baskets, ironing everyone’s new clothes, making your signature dish that is labor intensive but all enjoy…remember, that we all do it, push ourselves aside, but spend a minute thinking about tomorrow….. and what can you do for yourself? Do something nice! You deserve it!
Hugs!
Happy Easter!
Chris