What does the term self-care mean to you?
While it is true, we are wise to take care of ourselves, it doesn’t necessarily mean having a spa day. Taking care of ourselves involves our physical health, mental/emotional health, and our social/relationship health as well as spiritual. There is a little book I got somewhere in my life titled I DARE YOU, written by William H. Danforth, Founder and Former Chairman of the Board, Ralston Purina Company, Checkerboard Square, St. Louis, Missouri and published in 1958 by the Danforth Foundation. It has been in my personal library for decades and is a book that haunts me now and again. It is a reminder to look at the balance of my life.
Am I lacking in one area while spending too much time in another?
Danforth explains people are four sided beings. Let’s take a look at what they are and how we can take care of each of them.
PHYSICAL SELF: by eating right, getting fresh air, and exercising our muscles and joints to keep them strong. Getting enough rest, sleep and tending to our hygiene.
MENTAL HEALTH: by reading, learning, figuring math, science, and playing mentally challenging games. In other words, feed and work your brain as you would your physical body.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SELF: by spending time with others, the old saying No man is an island, is absolutely true. We are social beings. Giving and receiving support and feedback is important to our social health. Our relationships encourage and uplift us. And there is no relationship as uplifting as one with the Holy Spirit.
SPIRITUAL SELF: by connecting with GOD; praying, worshiping, serving others; practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness, and Self-control. And by maturing in knowledge and applying our understanding of Scriptures.
Of course, God wants to be the priority in your life, but He also wants to be a part of who you are—each side of you, not just your Spiritual side.
God created you to be four sided. And each side has purpose.
Think of your life as being a four-sided square. Draw a square. Make it, say, two inches on each side. In the center put your name. On one side of the square, write Physical, on another write Social, and on another, Mental, and last but definitely not least, write Spiritual.
A balanced life should look like an equally four-sided square.
Our Spiritual, Social, Mental and Physical sides connect to one another.
Sometimes I spend too much time sitting, thinking, reading, playing games, or studying things, and neglect to add movement to nourish my old joints and strengthen my bones. So, my mental side is no longer equal to the other sides. It is longer and, because I sat around all day, my physical side is shorter.
But if I am working with someone else to strategize a game, my Social side is fed. Or, if I am reading or studying Scripture, I am feeding my Spiritual side along with my Mental side. So, now that changes the balance yet again. Could be listening to Christian music while jogging. The premise of this exercise is to dare yourself to be the best you can be in each area of your life. To be well rounded.
What does your square look like? Is it lopsided, a rectangle? Or an equal sided and balanced square?
Remember, wherever you are, you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.