Take care of yourself first to give your best self to others.
In reflecting about my day today, tomorrow I will do it differently when I receive an unwarranted reaction. Looking back at that moment now, I am realizing that it was just that, an unwarranted and unequipped reaction. Not a mindful response.
Regardless of this person’s reaction or why it occurred in the first place, I will do it differently by not letting it affect my output or internal dialogue.
What’s it like to reveal so much about yourself? Don’t you feel exposed? Why share your story?
These are questions, or at least statements in disguise of such questions, that I receive from time to time. The UYC project is about learning how to be your best self through taking care of yourself first.
Through leading a life of intentional self growth I share my journey in how I am striving to achieve some component of being a better version of myself each and every day. It requires honesty, transparency, authenticity and vulnerability.
So, what’s it like?
Have you ever driven, either a short distance or a long distance, and arrived at your destination safely but not remembering any of it?
This is an all too common theme, driving in particular, where a monotonous routine takes us below the conscious level. The only time you can recall the drive in detail is if something out of the ordinary happens.
The reality of this is, we aren’t paying attention to the things we’ve done a thousand times over. They’ve become so ingrained in us we don’t even need to think when doing them.
That begs the question, what impression are you making?
Life is busy. We’re running from one place to the other. We pride ourselves for being able to keep up as if busyness is a badge of honor. Or at least we present it that way.
We give ourselves to the work that we find ourselves doing but don’t necessarily want to be doing. We abide by the things that call for our attention. We rarely say no for the sake of hurting someone’s feelings.