MHD

Consider taking a MHD over the next month or so. Try to spend it in silence as much as possible.

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t said “I just need some time for myself.” Here is an announcement over the PA system within your brain, “Attention, Attention! If you don’t TAKE the time for yourself, you will never get it.” Take it! Create it from your running here and there! Plan it! Love yourself enough to take time for yourself. Benjamin Franklin said, “Time is the stuff of which life is made.”

The gift of “time for self” is paying loving attention to self. Void of the companionship of loved ones, work, or the cellphone, one can pay close attention to that which they love about themselves, the things they dislike, and everything in between. A healthy relationship with self is the best fodder for the expression of what makes one unique and is even better fodder for living well with others. Relationships are only as healthy as the contributing parts.

Establishing a connection with myself, knowing myself intimately increases my capacity to connect with others. Like any good relationship, time is a key component.

This may sound like a lot of gibberish. Allow me to elaborate. Time with myself has helped me to know that I am worthy of the love and affection that I receive from others. It has also helped me to name and claim that I am a procrastinator. My procrastination dresses up under the label of “get to it later” (GTIL). When I am about to undertake a much-needed task in a timely manner, my attention is grabbed by a floor that needs sweeping or flowers that need watering or an article to read. Hello GTIL and the original task is forgotten. Time with myself has shown me this characteristic. The same time has helped me to develop a plan of action, “Stay focused, sister, and move on.” It doesn’t work all the time, but it works enough.

Time is my friend and when we are together time partners with me. Like any good friend, time enlightens and supports my dreams and goals. Time sits with me and allows me to release my anxieties and embrace my renewals.

I challenge you to take a few minutes each day for you and time to be together. I also challenge you to regularly schedule a mental health day (MHD) with one agenda- letting the day and time speak, nurture, and calm your frazzled edges. Others will thank you for taking time for yourself.

Psalm 46:10

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Time with self makes for good times with others.