Taking care of oneself is a full-time job. It could be argued that it’s the most important job of our lives. When I’m fully engaged in personal growth, setting goals for my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health lifts my entire spirit. My attitude improves, my self-esteem rises, my confidence grows, my mental thoughts seem more positive. In general, I feel better about me. 

That, in some unspoken way, adds additional discipline to the focus I need to pay attention to my life. When I am totally engaged in actions to improve, I simply feel good. When involved in nurturing me, small miracles happen. I become more open to new possibilities that allow me to fear less, expand my risk horizons, and just plain trust. If only it was as easy as just breathing, but as we all know, it is not. 

The distractions of life, work, commitments, time stealers, chores and tasks, and the everyday job of living must be addressed. The car breaks down, we overcommit our time to a friend, a disagreement occurs. Stuff, as they say, happens. We fall off the rail, we lose our balance. It happens! Getting back on course is what really matters. I think we all know that. The way I look at protecting my mental condition in some small way is never forgetting I am worth it. What is more important than investing in me? A better me is a better dad, a better husband, a better friend. 

When I’m focused on a better me, I understand what really needs to be improved in the world is me. I am so much more aware of my blaming, my actions, the words I use, my tone. Nurturing oneself is like caring for one’s soul. 

So, let’s all get out there—go for the walk, join the gym, mend a relationship, reach out to an old friend, read that book, take the course, volunteer, perform that act of kindness just because you can. Help someone struggling, be present and feel the joy of just plain trying to improve. While you’re at it, don’t forget the time to meditate, stay in silence, lower the noise, act as if harmony, inner peace, and happy have already happened. 

In peace, love and laughter,

Joe and Asta Dunne, Publishers