Why do they do this? They do this because you are better equipped to help others if you have taking care of yourself first. If in the middle of trying to put the mask on your young child you faint from lack of oxygen then you'll be no good to anyone. If you deplete yourself of oxygen then you are not going to be able to be of any service to anyone else.
The same holds true for other things in life. If we deplete ourselves of the energy of love, of care, and we don't make ourselves a priority then we're not going to be able to give to others. We are not going to be able to help others.
Do you take care of yourself first, so that you are better able to take care of others? Do you make self-love, self-compassion, self-care a priority?
I believe that the most important relationship that we'll ever have is with ourself. Next comes our relationships with each other. Maya Angelou said, "I don't trust people who don't love themselves, but say I love you."
I believe that nothing sends a stronger signal to your unconscious self than when you conscious self places priority on doing things that nurture you. We often back-burner our own needs and get caught up in the tasks of life and in the tasks of taking care of others that we don't take care of ourselves deplete ourselves and don't make ourselves a priority. Even to the point of feeling guilty if we do prioritize our own self-care.
Refueling and reenergizing our own spirit, our own mind, and our own body is an important expression of self-love. It will go a long way toward allowing us to be more joyful and more productive in all areas of our lives.
Our treatment of our body is a representation of how much we love ourselves. When you treat it with love, it will love you back. Take a walk or enjoy a hot bath, go to a yoga or exercise class, ride your bike, meditate, nourish your body with good food, get enough rest, read a book, spend time with friends. Take time to nurture yourself...put your mask on first.
The month of February is a time where we celebrate love with Valentine's Day, so this month's posts will all be centered around the theme of LOVE.
Here is a beautiful affirmation by Louise Hay that I want to share with you. Enjoy!
I Love Myself Affirmation
By Louise Hay
Deep at the center of my being, there is an infinite well of love. I now allow this love to flow to the surface. It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied. The more love I use and give, the more I have to give. The supply is endless. The use of love makes me feel good, it is an expression of my inner joy.
I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages, I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy.
I love myself; therefore provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.
I love myself; therefore I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities, working with and for people I love and who love me, and earning a good income.
I love myself; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am.
I love myself; therefore I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences and I am free.
I love myself; therefore I live totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the Universe and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more.
And so it is.