Last night, my husband, Kirk, surprised the girls and I by taking us out to dinner. It's been months since the four of us have gone to a restaurant together and I was basking in the warmth of being with my three favorite people. We were all in happy, light moods and the conversation flowed easily.
Our waitress was lovely and attentive and after our food came, she came to our table and warmly asked, "How is everything? Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
I was in my bliss and turned to Anika & Sophia and said excitedly, "Wow! This is the fabulous thing about restaurants, girls! They want you to have a wonderful time and they actually stop over to see how you're doing and whether you need anything! How many times does that ever happen?".
The girls looked confused and Anika spoke, "Actually, Mommy you talk to us that way all the time."
I paused, "I do?".
Sophia chimed in, "Well not every single second of the day, but a lot of the time you do." I looked at Kirk who nodded in agreement.
The whole thing got me thinking. Yes, the evening was lovely but the way I was just soaking everything up was a clue to me that something more was going on. I realized I have been desiring TLC and pampering for awhile, offering it freely to others, and yet have not been allowing myself to receive it in the ways I crave.
So many of us get so caught up in taking care of everyone else's needs that we forget to invest the same time in checking in with ourselves and making sure we have everything we need. I have come a long way over the years, but like everything else, I am learning this act of loving myself well is a life-long process.
Try to take some quiet time this week to check in with yourself and ask yourself what you desire. The answers that come to you may surprise you. Hear your answers with compassion and love for yourself. Notice any feelings of unworthiness, or self-judgement that may come up. Release any negative messages and take action on whatever your heart desires.
Positive Message for the Week:
I love myself well, and take time to honor my heart's desire. I nurture myself daily.
Our waitress was lovely and attentive and after our food came, she came to our table and warmly asked, "How is everything? Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
I was in my bliss and turned to Anika & Sophia and said excitedly, "Wow! This is the fabulous thing about restaurants, girls! They want you to have a wonderful time and they actually stop over to see how you're doing and whether you need anything! How many times does that ever happen?".
The girls looked confused and Anika spoke, "Actually, Mommy you talk to us that way all the time."
I paused, "I do?".
Sophia chimed in, "Well not every single second of the day, but a lot of the time you do." I looked at Kirk who nodded in agreement.
The whole thing got me thinking. Yes, the evening was lovely but the way I was just soaking everything up was a clue to me that something more was going on. I realized I have been desiring TLC and pampering for awhile, offering it freely to others, and yet have not been allowing myself to receive it in the ways I crave.
So many of us get so caught up in taking care of everyone else's needs that we forget to invest the same time in checking in with ourselves and making sure we have everything we need. I have come a long way over the years, but like everything else, I am learning this act of loving myself well is a life-long process.
Try to take some quiet time this week to check in with yourself and ask yourself what you desire. The answers that come to you may surprise you. Hear your answers with compassion and love for yourself. Notice any feelings of unworthiness, or self-judgement that may come up. Release any negative messages and take action on whatever your heart desires.
Positive Message for the Week:
I love myself well, and take time to honor my heart's desire. I nurture myself daily.
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