Dear Serial Dieter,
Oh! I was just listening to the radio on my way to the store and it reminded me of you!
The female DJ was describing how she had been under the weather with the flu for the past week. Apologizing for her bizzare attitude, she explained how glad she was to be sick last week because it gave her a chance to rest without guilt. She professed how a normal day has her relentlessly running to get her things done with no time for rest. Resting and caring for herself was a perk of being sick.
You know what’s funny? Her rationale didn’t sound bizarre or erratic to me and quite likely, my Serial Dieter friend, it didn’t sound very outlandish to you either.
Even stranger…..when my radio friend shared how her daily/weekly responsibilities didn’t allow her to rest – I felt sorry for her; her life sounded, well, depressing. I wondered why she wouldn’t practice a little kindness to herself as she worked through her normal routine. Why didn’t she honor herself enough to ease up?
Oh yes, I see the extreme hypocrisy….because if I’m honest, I’m the same. Are you?
Have you thought about how kind or unkind you are to yourself? Do you run yourself ragged or do you take the time to take in the beauty of the moments around you?
As serial dieters, there’s a sense that we can never do enough, never accomplish enough, never really measure up. Which is why we’re always trying to improve ourselves. That’s a rigid, stern and severe way to treat ourselves.
It’s the chattering in our brains that has us running to and fro trying to reach a goal we can never attain. Even if we never achieve that number on the scale or perfectly a organized house… at least we try!!!!
Imagine instead if you unshackle your mind and enjoy the beauty of the birds singing first thing in the morning, enjoy the humm of the washing machine as it so graciously washes your clothes. Feel the warm water as you shower, relish in the vast selection of soaps you can chose to get the job done; lean over and pet your pooch’s sweet face and take in the devotion that he has for you!
It’s OK to treat yourself with kindness. After all God commands us to love others as we love ourselves. And love is an action moreso than a feeling.
What does kindness look like?
There’s no question that you know how to be kind to others, but what does it mean to be kind to yourself?
Here are 3 simple ideas that will greatly enrich your life and help you form a habit of being kind to yourself:
- Slow down and enjoy each moment
- Seek God for guidance on your priority for today when you scroll through your “To-Do’s”
- Listen. (You might be surprised)
Take a step back and get a bird’s eye view… Look at how you started your day. Be sure to use curiosity – not judgement.
Did you get out of bed, stretch your arms to the sky and express deep appreciation for another day and the fact that your body can move? Did you look at the hope and possibilities that this day can hold as you anticipate your day? Did you sit down and enjoy your coffee and breakfast – tasting every bite? Or did you think of the long list of to do’s and should’s, and shouldn’t do’s?
Taking time out before you start your day can help you shift your focus from “needing to measure up” by starting the day off running to “enjoying the joy of each moment.” Each moment holds wonder and when we live in the future with our “To-Do’s” and “Shoulds,” we lose the beauty of the abundant life we’ve been given.
Don’t let the chatterbox in your brain manipulate you into treating yourself more like slave that has to perform to earn your place, not a blessed child of God.
I challenge you to slow down and soak in the quiet of the carline as you pick up your little ones from school. Relish the time at the red light as you travel to your next errand or event. God is trying to bless you with precious moments as you go about your day. Not allowing yourself to enjoy them is unkind.
The truth is: God says you are enough, you do measure up, and you are fully accepted in His eyes.
Meditating on that is a beautiful way to start your day!
Monica says
Wow! Yes to all of the above. This is an exceptional article of yours that touches the core of everything I think, say and do to myself. I’m printing this to read it frequently as it appears to be a blueprint of where I steer off course each day and in my life. Thank you for this. Please keep writing. We need your god given wisdom! .
Char says
You’re so sweet Monica. It’s a journey – thankfully!!!!!
Michele Morin says
This post hits close to home. I’m a do-er, and work very hard not to make doing my religion!
Blessings to you as you share these weekly posts with so much heart.
Char says
Thanks Michele! I Try to balance my to-do’s with enjoying the moments of the tasks. I tend to be very task oriented…
Cheryl says
This is so beautiful and essential for all women to realize that they are enough in God’s eyes.
Char says
It’s sometimes hard to get that through our chattering thoughts that challenge our value. Thanks for reading Cheryl!
Danell says
Hey- I added to the link-up and tried to grab the button to link back from your side bar, but for some reason my site is saying the file type is not allowed. Any ideas? I’m a newbie, so this could def be my fault.
Laurie says
This story sounds like my life when I was teaching. Being sick was almost a relief, I was so busy! Glad I now have time to stop and smell the roses. Retirement gives me more time to meditate/contemplate/pray, all of which I need!
Char says
I sounds like you have a great mindset Laurie!
Lauren Sparks says
That slowing down is so hard, so counter-culture. Good message. laurensparks.net
Char says
I have to really listen to the chatter so that I allow myself to slow down. Thanks for stopping by Lauren!
Rebecca Hastings says
This is 100% true. Always. Even when I forget it’s true. (and I do that a lot).
I realized (aka God showed me) a little while back that the only handcuffs I’m wearing are the ones I put there. And they’ve been unlocked the whole time. I walk around sporting them as bracelets, wondering why I’m always so tired.
He has already brought the freedom we’re looking for!
Char says
Yay Rebecca!!! I appreciate your sharing- you’re so right!
Debra Jean says
So true! It takes an intentional effort sometimes to “stop and smell the roses” Great reminder, to enjoy each moment. Many Thanks 8)
Char says
It’s a beautiful day when we soak in the beauty!
Jerralea says
Wow, this really spoke to me, especially this part, “Don’t let the chatterbox in your brain manipulate you into treating yourself more like slave that has to perform to earn your place, not a blessed child of God.”
I’m always wanting to earn a place I already have!
I also love your title, Practice Kindness .. To Yourself, because it is definitely taking practice. It doesn’t come naturally!
Char says
It doesn’t come naturally for so many of us! I love what you said about earning a place you already have Jerralea 🙂
Donna Reidland says
I’m sure most of us can relate to this. I find it very hard to give myself permission to rest. It always feels like “doing nothing.” I sometimes have to discipline myself to STOP. For us “do-ers” and “pleasers,” it can be a discipline.