Permission

Work when there is work to do.

Rest when you are tired.

One thing done in peace

will most likely be better

than ten things done in panic ...

I am not a hero if I deny rest;

I am only tired.

Susan McHenry

Self-care is like preventive medicine and yet we sometimes feel as though nurturing our self  is being selfish.  Our culture suggests utilizing every minute to be profitable while all else is wasteful, lazy or a poor investment.  Parents, mentors and student guidance counselors frequently encourage students to stay away from pursuing a music or writing career or indulging in the arts as it would never support  a person financially.  An although there is truth to the struggles of the artistic world, what of the struggles of the creative spirit stifled behind a computer all day?  What of the dreams, self-respect, and honoring of personal gifts and talents?  

Ingrained into our thinking is the concept  to remain profitably busy.  We feel somewhat selfish if we are not productive.  If we cannot be held accountable for a productive day we may feel anxious or guilty.  Lives become focused on "doing" rather than "being" and our identity becomes linked to what is outside of our selves  rather than who we truly are on the inside.

When we are 'comfortable in our own skin,' we bring our true nature into whatever it is we choose to do.   Then whatever it is we do, reflects who we are on the inside.  We will have the sense of being integrated or whole, perfectly capable of granting our selves rest.