Balancing Mind & Body
Selfishness
The word “selfish” is often used as a derogatory term based on the notion that it’s wrong to put ourselves before others. To be well balanced, we believe it’s important to make ourselves a top priority. If we constantly put ourselves last, it can wear on the body and soul, causing excessive stress. These things can end our time sooner rather than later. Being selfish doesn’t mean we neglect people or responsibilities—it means that if we take care of ourselves first, we’re not burning ourselves out or running on fumes.
Being active in any capacity should be a selfish priority to any adult that doesn’t want to end up on medication for preventative health issues. There are so many ways to stay or get active but there are even more excuses NOT to be active. However, whether it’s children, relationships, work, a lack of discipline, or anything else, it’s not worth the consequences. We make excuses because we loathe exercising! We will try any activity to avoid going to the gym. Examples include skating, walking, biking, hula hooping, tennis, basketball, yoga, dancing, and taking the stairs. We selfishly exercise so we can keep up with the kiddos and have confidence when we get dressed. We can then focus on how the fabrics and colors make us feel instead of how our body looks.
In addition being active, we must selfishly nurture our bodies. We live in an age of fast food, and that convenience is slowly killing us. We must go against social norms and put down the fried meals, excessive meats, and functioning alcoholic behavior. Most of all, we need to cut out the sweets, or face death by sugar. We have to train our bodies to crave healthier foods by feeding our bodies fresh, colorful foods.
Self-care can include selfish indulgence but doesn’t require a trip to the spa or shopping spree for stuff we don’t need. It can be as simple as taking a bath uninterrupted. It can include reading a book or sitting still in candle lit room with fresh flowers. Yoga, meditation, prayer, or listening to your favorite music are also ways to relax. Going for a run or walk to clear your head are great options too. Trying a new tea or coffee can be very satisfying. Whatever calms you can be selfishly added to your weekly obligations so you won’t burn out.
All of these things won’t matter, though, if we don’t protect our mental clarity. We can’t take on everyone’s problems as our own. We should offer support and do whatever we can without draining ourselves mentally, physically, or financially. We have to selfishly know what we can handle and what we can’t. You are encouraged to be selfish so that when you close your eyes after your long journey of life, you can look back and see how you made time to enjoy the simplicity of happiness.