Very often people consider any word starting with “self-” as describing a selfish behavior and therefore automatically negative.

The problem is that looking after yourself, requires that you focus on YOU, on what is right for you, on what you need. And no one else can know what that is – only yourself.

Is identifying your needs and making sure that you look after them selfish?

Is taking time to take care of your body selfish?

Is looking for ways to expand your mind selfish?

Is taking time to nurture your soul with what makes it sing selfish?

Maybe.

But where does what we share with others come from? Where does your drive, focus, inspiration, persistence and creativity come from? What can you give to others if you are empty? What can you pass on if your body is exhausted, your mind cluttered and fogged up, your soul drifting with the changing winds?

Whether your life’s mission is to raise compassionate children, create a new economy, cure autism,  bring together art and science or, all of it – can you do it while denying your own needs?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines selfish as: “concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.”

Now the question is who gets to decide what is “excessive” when it comes to YOUR self-care? Is it your partner, your boss, your children, your education or is it your TRUE needs?

I’d love to hear about your experience. You can get into the conversation by leaving a comment below.

June 2013 Issue