Today I choose rest.

The leaves are falling, our grass is brown, the spiders are spinning their webs and night seems to come quickly. I love Fall and I’m ready for cozy sweaters, hot drinks, and cooler weather. How about you?  

The other day Mike and Evelyn went fishing, so I had some rare but much appreciated me time. I was ready to run errands and do, do, do, but I felt tired. I layed down in my bed and decided that if I didn’t fall asleep, I would get up and run my errands. I woke up a half hour later feeling rested and optimistic. The remainder of my day was great. I was patient with Evelyn and had energy to be extra playful.  

I started thinking about my own self-care and how I could improve. In Susan Stiffelman’s book “Parenting with Presence” she writes about clients not meeting their own most basic needs, she says: “I have been known to send this type of client away after a few minutes in my office, asking her to follow some instructions for at least one week, after which she is free to come back for a session. I would like you to drink water the minute you notice you feel thirsty, eat something nutritious within a few minutes of realizing you are hungry (while sitting down), pee as soon as you feel the urge (many have gotten used to holding it until it’s unbearable), and rest with your feet up and your eyes closed-even for three minutes-when you feel tired.” She goes on to say, “Until you begin taking care of yourself, whatever work we do together with regard to your children or family is irrelevant.”  

Whether you have kids or not, our lives are jam packed with to-do’s. Can you remember the last time you chose rest over doing or chose to put your needs first? Maybe today would be a good day to start, even if just for 3 minutes.