Your Best Investment = YOU

We are always hearing the words, ‘think of others first.’ It becomes ingrained that in order to be good, put others before ourselves; having a life of service.

Even a scripture in the Bible I would adopt to as a general rule, Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves,” (AMP, Bible).

UGH! Big failure to me. I was striving and serving to be this perfect person that was at the bottom of the list to care for, some days I didn’t even make the list.

This is not a bad scripture but for an unhealthy mindset, it would become what turned me into a DOORMAT for others. In essence the scripture means to be humble, not out just for yourself; and not a know-it-all snob! Ohhhhhhhh, I can do that all while keeping my dignity.

So, after taking care of my children, family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, strangers and the list goes on; I had no time left for me and I was exhausted. Not only exhausted but being treated poorly if I missed being present for any of them. I was teaching others that they were first in my life, they grew into expectation of me sacrificing even myself for them. What a good friend I am? Right? Well…

I was spent and feeling empty at the end of the day, even lonely.

I attended a training class my business partner, Dan, (before we were partners) was teaching on YOU FIRST. Stunned. That goes against the signs at the local gym in town, “Put others before yourself.” He opened my eyes to revelation of my striving and serving putting my own self-worth at risk the way I was going. My revelation dropped into my spirit that day was:

I was created to love others, but I was not made to be a doormat. We teach others how to treat us. Even the simplest self-sacrificing behavior without balance and understanding can become self-destructive to our hearts. We can lose our own self-worth and even become co-dependent on others for our value.

I had to realize that I was worth being taken care of first. I needed to be healthy to be able to care for others the best way I can.

Now I can go into the grocery, stare at the flowers, and buy them for myself, I am worth it.

You have PERMISSION to put yourself first and have ME time without guilt.

• take a class
• pick some flowers
• buy yourself chocolate (I did and it was the good kind, Godiva)
• do nothing and relax on the couch, in a lawn chair
• shut the door to the office for an hour
• read a book
• put on headphones and close your eyes

Give yourself these moments, so you can free yourself from striving, surviving, pushing through the day, tired, weary, and just in lack.

I challenge you to REMEMBER that determination for that thing that was inside of you, REIGNITE that spark that set you ablaze, dig deep and sit awhile, rest until you can SEE the vision you once had. It needs you as much as you need it.

The most valuable thing you have is time, spend it wisely and invest in yourself; it will be the BEST investment of your life. I can say this for myself, I am a better mother, friend, coworker, and leader; and I have the freedom to live out every moment of my life with everlasting real joy in my soul, I love spending time with Me.