It's that time of year again... The leaves have changed and the trees are bare. The temperatures are dropping and you have a need to stay in bed. To cuddle with a big warm fuzzy blanket and sip cocoa while watching your favorite movie (you've already seen 7 times!).
It can also be the most stress filled and depressing time of year. The clouds cover us and the days are short and dark. You feel big pressures at work to do more and work longer hours while the stores bombard you with holiday advertising since early October.
That's why it is essential now more than ever before to take care of yourself. We must nurture our spirits and feed our soul.Daily.
We have to let go of the notion that self-care, or self-love is selfish. It's not. It's more of a necessity. If we don't love ourselves first, we can't love anyone else, truly. All other aspects of our lives are effected when we are run-down or filled with negativity. Our outlook and attitude are vital to our very existence. Think of it that way and you will understand and WANT to take care of yourself.
Ginger Speranza was our lucky #9 and is the winner of the feed your soul necklace! Thank you all for playing and for sharing what feeds your soul! I loved reading all the comments and on my blog too! I will be starting up a year long Feed Your Soul group on FB if you are interested let me know – or keep an eye out here for details! We’ll work together throughout the year sharing how we feed our souls to inspire each other! heart emoticon Peace & Blessings to you all! ~ Cindy
Great ideas, Cindy… thanks! Feed my soul… feed my soul… hmmm…. well on some days, it’s a piece of chocolate :-) and another day it’s finding the light in a person’s eyes, listening to my 10-year-old say “hey, I have a great idea!”, taking a nap with my dogs, really feeling the sun on my skin, singing out loud to the music in a store and not caring if people think I’m crazy, calling my mom, crying, making something beautiful, then giving it away, laughing at myself, being thankful for the journey, wishing I could get some do-overs but knowing it’s OK just as it is, prayer, pizza … the list is endless… and I’m grateful. Gosh, so much food for my soul… no wonder I’m a little overweight! ;-)
My family and friends feed my sole! And walking with my dogs
Planting a tree feeds my soul !
my children feed my soul (and fill my heart) every single day.
~ I am a recently retired elementary school teacher. I have spent my career “feeding the soul” of young children with the love of reading, art, music and nature. Even on the most challenging days as a teacher there were always moments of joy that fed my soul too. I would have to say teaching children in nature would have to be one of my top soul quenchers. The giggles, the laughter, the learning that takes place soothes the soul for sure:) Thank you for your beautiful offer of an amazing “feed your soul” necklace. Blessings~
Smile at a stranger. It maybe the only smile they get that day.
Thanks Cindy for the 24 Way To Feed Your Soul, very inspiring!
I am trying to get hold of my life. I tell myself not to be in a hurry but it hasn’t happened. I have just about given up tvto read and relax while doing something I enjoy.
I help several older people and I am so blessed knowing them
Volunteer at a homeless shelter, at a woman’s shelter, at the local animal shelter . . . Giving back to the community is soooo good for the soul and makes you realize how beautiful people are even in very trying circumstances – and just how good your own life truly is. And enroll in a yoga class (:
try to perform at least one random act of kindness a day. It’s AMAZING how good you feel doing something for someone else, with no expectation of getting something in return. Pay it forward.
Make art with a child…paint, draw, use modeling clay, color a picture, act out a favorite story…children bring an exuberance and joy to the most mundane experiences. My grandchildren live far away and I only see them a few times a year, and these are some of my favorite memories of our visits.
Wonderful list – I totally agree with your premise that self- care is not selfish, but that ol’ song of guilt that plays in your head is very difficult to turn off – I keep working to drown it out with joy for the journey but it’s a work in progress!
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Jeryl S
January 13, 2016
This is the best thing that I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for the reminders!