What’s the ultimate value of self care? It’s tied up in several aspects of our lives. I must not ignore any of them.
It’s important, I believe, to care for yourself.
To not do so leaves us empty. There’s no overflow coming out of us from which to give out to others. Actually, investing in self-care should apply to all of us, not just recent retirees like me!
Critical aspects of self-care include our emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
Emotional self-care
First, emotional self-care encompasses things like self-awareness, self-worth, asking for assistance, and being assertive.
It focuses on knowing WHO I am and deeply valuing that person.
Also, it means that in a healthy relationship I can remain my best self without fear of being absorbed or consumed by that relationship.
Physical self-care
Second, physical self-care involves attention to exercise, eating habits, proper sleep, and avoidance of destructive practices such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.
I get it that being retired makes physical self-care more attainable. However, constant stress and carelessness about taking care of yourself reduce our ability to function, at any age.
See Proverbs 23.29-35 for a description of some repetitive and destructive lifestyle habits of the foolish. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Spiritual self-care
Third, spiritual wellbeing is about a personal relationship.
It’s not about being religious, or going to church, or how much you give (or don’t give).
Instead, I’m spiritually well off because I choose to nurture my relationship with God through things like prayer and Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
Most practically, I entered that relationship years ago by a deliberate choice. By confession and choosing obedience.
In Ecclesiastes 7.25 Solomon tells us that his priority in regard to character development was to know wisdom. To understand reason. That is, to grasp the fundamental precepts. He contrasts wisdom with destructive actions that are foolish. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
In short, take care of yourself by making these common practices a life priority. To do so, you will need to say NO to other things that offer less value to your life. Recognize the value of self care.
Can I live a purposeful, engaged life without a spiritual center? Certainly you can. In fact, the precepts in Proverbs are universal; they’re not unique to scripture. What is unique in Proverbs is the combining of spiritual insight and reverence with those universal precepts.
Remember, I’m not talking about going through the motions of being religious. Instead, I’m talking about the depth of your personal relationship with the Almighty God.