Start Putting Yourself First

 

Hey! I know it has been a while since you last heard from me. Time got a little tough searching for my next opportunity. But I finally landed, and things are looking up now.

I wanted to touch on a subject today that has been heavy on my mind this week. I came across a photo that said, "Putting yourself first doesn't mean you don't care about others. It means you're smart enough to know you can't help others if you don't help yourself first."

This is a lesson that was very difficult for me to learn. Every now and then I may still struggle with it, but I have learned to be more mindful of this and practice it often. 

I used to focus on others all the time and would neglect myself. I've sacrificed holidays so others could spend that day with their loved ones, I've driven miles to help someone when I didn't have the money for gas, potentially leaving myself stranded, hell, I've even taken the heat for someone at work so they would not have a negative mark on their employee record. It's like the stories you hear about the shoemaker that has the worst shoes on his own feet, or the chef that eats beans and rice while she cooks a 5-course meal for others. When we are selfless and put others first, while it may feel good, over time we are doing ourselves a disservice. When we do this, eventually we will not be able to help others. Then what? 

Some may see this as selfish or narrow minded. Others, already living by this way of life. To each their own. But I ask you, evaluate your own situation. Are you focused on others more than yourself? If you are, how long will it be before you're the one in need of help, and will you be able to find it in time?