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Daily Question, April 19

How can I show care for myself and others right now?

  • Nicki

    By showing up.

  • Cathie

    I care for myself when I participate in morning prayer, , meditate and practice yoga! Then I am ready and have filled my “tank” so to better care for my mom and those around me!

    • Malag

      Yes I like the “filling the tank” metaphor. I’m not effective to me or others when it’s empty.

  • mam_gigi

    I need to offer more patience and grace rather than judgment. Look for and point out the positives instead of seeing only flaws. This is both in myself and others. I can be overly critical, and I can also become resentful of others, sometimes by assuming their negative intent rather than the positives.

  • Ose

    For the moment being, it was listening and sharing with someone who is currently undergoing a lot of outside and inside change and emotional turmoil due to the loss of a close relative, and now I simply will take good care of myself and will go to bed (in a timely manner) 🙂

  • Don Jones

    Being aware:
    Of those things which are within my domain,
    And those that are not.
    For those within my domain,
    Be encouraging and nourishing (like watering the garden).
    But never seek to impose my will or views on others.
    For those things outside of my domain,
    Never play on the highway.

  • Mica

    By reminding myself that, if I get angry about something, I’m hurting myself, and my mind will work worse at dealing with the problem I’m angry about!

  • pkr

    Practicing kindness.

  • Jp

    The most beneficial thing I can do right now is work on filling myself up each and every morning. Filling myself with gratitude, love, peace, stillness, and the courage to have faith. In doing so is the only way I can ensure the spirit I wish to release to the universe is one of pureness and excellence.

  • carol

    by taking steps to improve or expand my capacity for mindfulness, generosity, compassion, and patience.

  • Charlie T

    I care for myself by taking care of myself, and as for others, helping when I can, listening without judgment or projection.
    As for “showing” how I care for myself, I’m trying to keep these things I do, on the down low. I’ve noticed that when talking about this, I can see people think I’m judging them or it makes them feel awkward or maybe they think I’m bragging.
    When the reality is, I’m learning to do what is required for me to be in this world out of necessity.

  • Hot Sauce

    Right now, I am caring for myself by committing to running everyday. I am showing care for others right now by searching for temporary part-time employment so my parents are not burdened by my expenses.

  • Diane
    Such beautiful, thoughtful responses. There are so many practical ways we can care for others and it most assuredly starts with caring for ourselves first. (I'm reminded that when you are on an airplane you are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself first...only then can you help others). I can only add to all that has already been shared, that I am a deep believer in the power of prayer, especially meditative prayer. Years ago, I learned the loving-kindness prayer in the Buddhist trad...

    Such beautiful, thoughtful responses. There are so many practical ways we can care for others and it most assuredly starts with caring for ourselves first. (I’m reminded that when you are on an airplane you are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself first…only then can you help others). I can only add to all that has already been shared, that I am a deep believer in the power of prayer, especially meditative prayer. Years ago, I learned the loving-kindness prayer in the Buddhist tradition and I employ it often. You start by praying for yourself, then loved ones, aquaintances, those who are suffering in this world, and finally in a generous and sacred act of grace, you pray it for those who have wounded you. Sharing it with my gratitude. ♥
    “May I (he/she/they) be filled with loving-kindness.
    May I (he/she/they) be well
    May I (he/she/they) be peaceful and at ease
    May I (he/she/they) be happy and safe. “

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  • Pilgrim

    Kindness all around.

    • Mica

      Thank you, dear Pilgrim – that’s the Dalai Lama’s ‘religion’. Warm wishes to you –

    • Diane

      Good morning Pilgrim: Yes…kindness is quite simply the answer. Have a blessed day friend ♥

      • Pilgrim

        Good morning, Diane. Thank you for the Buddhist prayer of kindness, and always for your wisdom. Blessings to you and your family, my friend!

  • Barb C

    At work, by scheduling vacation for myself that I don’t then undo by deciding meetings are more important than refreshing/recharging, and by encouraging the people on my team to do the same.

    By following through on some things that have dangled undone for far too long, which creates stress for others wondering what’s happening and stress for myself from knowing they’re still dangling. We’ll both get the gift of resolution and relief.

  • alara

    As I sit with the questions of late they seem to reveal layer upon layer that I have not seen. Sometimes it is daunting and overwhelming. (Just like the world that shouldn’t be but is).
    Then, I hear Br. David saying today is a gift; everything is a gift, today. I choose to accept this in my heart right now, and I move into my day..

  • devy

    By being kind, compassionate and loving to myself. By doing so, I can then spread the same to others. Sometimes we act these ways to others yet treat ourselves badly. One has to look after oneself.

  • dragonfly

    By creating a stillness and peacefulness within myself that makes it possible to be attuned to what presents itself at each moment, so that I am able to see, hear and feel what is required of me right there and then and act accordingly with patients, calmness and kindness. This is, as so many other things in my life, a work in progress.

  • sparrow

    I think
    that by genuinely caring for myself,
    I am actually caring for others as well . . .
    what goes around
    comes around.
    It’s easier for me
    to care for others,
    reaching out,
    making connection,
    than it is to take the time to care for myself.
    I feel more genuine
    when I look after my needs,
    so that helps me do the work.

  • Mary Pat

    By taking care of myself. That is not easy for me, but I try every day. Today it would mean doing all of my physical therapy. Walking the dog, because that helps me and the dog. Working-and it is work-on my insomnia. And some meditation to start it all off…

  • Holly in Ohio
    I like this question because it asks how to care for myself AND others. So often it feels like we are in an either/or situation, but perhaps it needn't be so. At the beginning of the year I set an intention to be better at self-care this year, and defined for me what my self-care requires. It includes caring both for my physical health and my mental health, so for instance, for me, it includes eating more vegetables and having some time every day to create. As I have improved on this a l...

    I like this question because it asks how to care for myself AND others. So often it feels like we are in an either/or situation, but perhaps it needn’t be so.

    At the beginning of the year I set an intention to be better at self-care this year, and defined for me what my self-care requires. It includes caring both for my physical health and my mental health, so for instance, for me, it includes eating more vegetables and having some time every day to create.

    As I have improved on this a little bit, I have been rewarded with energy and joy, and this definitely is of benefit to my family. I find I want to do more for them, so the family as a whole has a healthier dynamic. I found also, I can get back to supporting my community in little ways. It is easier to show caring for others, when we feel we have a little caring for ourselves, from our self, and I think that is key. From there, it just seems to flow naturally.

    Read More
    • Diane

      Good morning Holly…so nice to see you in this space. I love your new year’s intention! Blessings ♥.

      • Holly in Ohio

        Thank you, Diane! Your friends in the lounge are making space for you and our other friends to find each other on Prayer Tuesdays. ❤

        Blessings to you, too!

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