Kelly It’s only been a little while that I’ve understood the word “no” actually is a complete sentence.
Prior to this point in my life, I felt the need to give supporting reasons or excuses to justify my reason for saying no. “Oh I’m sorry we can’t because we have another event”. This weekend I was supposed to go away and meet up with some dear friends. Earlier this week I bowed out. A simple text. I’d love to say I didn’t make an excuse, but I did. I said I’m not feeling great, had a big weekend up here. I’m not going to make it next weekend. Sorry to cancel. I just couldn’t find the energy to make the five hour drive twice in three days time. So I said no. But I gave an excuse, or rather told them more about what I was doing that made me unable to make our planned weekend. But in my saying no, I also said yes to myself. I eliminated future excuses that would have come on Monday, man I’m so tired I just can’t cook dinner, or that deep sigh when I see the laundry piled up again. In our society we’re so hard pressed to make everyone happy we make excuses when we choose ourselves, but choosing ourselves and time to invest in our self care shouldn’t have to come with an excuse. So excuse me for not making an excuse for choosing time with myself.
If you’re not familiar with Five Minute Friday, they send out one word writing prompts on Thursdays. Writers are encourage to free write for 5 minutes. You’re not supposed to edit and rewrite just throw some thoughts and words on a page. As you read the above and edit with the writers eye, your grace is appreciated.
Self-care is important. If you’re not healthy, you really can’t serve others well either.
Love this.
Thanks for sharing.
Such a sense of obligation
holds us in a constant thrall,
and we feel that our life-station
is to be pleasing to them all,
the folk who ask us for our aid,
and imply we owe them time,
but this is not why we were made,
and, my friend, it is no crime
to give our life the love and care
that it surely does deserve,
and to let others be aware
that it’s not they whom we serve,
but the God to whom we’re son and daughter,
not to be careless-spread as water.
I’m your neighbour at FMF this week.