Self-Care and Serving OthersAfter interviewing over 50 inspiring people, two of the main themes identified for creating a breakthrough in life experience were self-care and helping others.
People have often thanked me for · serving the military, · advising various non-profit boards, · teaching social-emotional skills to children, · helping indigenous African companies grow their success, etc. Each time my response has been something to the effect of, “Thank you. I’m doing it for me. It serves me, helps me grow, and I feel happy and fulfilled.” Sometimes that drew odd looks. As a society we are often led to believe that serving others is to be placed above serving self, and that self-sacrifice is a measure of true service. This type of service promotes martyrdom, separation, arrogance, and sympathetic pity. It is draining for us and disempowering for people we think we are helping. If we are not giving to others in a way that fulfills ourselves and recognizes the power of the human spirit in ourselves and others, then we are not serving anyone. To truly and freely give to another requires us to see and honor them as equals, as powerful expressions of life like ourselves. It requires us to take care of ourselves first, and to give from an awareness and feeling of abundance and joy.
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