Focus on the start.

When working to retrain your brain and being aware of the spaces you are placing your mind in, you begin to analyze the actions you are taking throughout your day.

I was thinking about what I chose to do this morning that had made me a bit anxious.

What I did this morning when I woke up:

• Rolled over and picked up my cell phone.
• Checked my email to see what I needed to attend to at work.
• Checked to see who had replied to my texts and interacted with what I sent them on social media.
• Hopped up and took care of my dog.

This seems to be a fairly common routine for me lately: Make sure I attend to what others need.

It is not out of choosing to ignore my needs, but putting others’ needs before my own as soon as I wake up.

That is a start that can lead to a draining day.

And, many days lately have been as such.

I recognize that I am doing these things because I want to make sure others are cared for, respected, and loved.

I just need to remember I need that too.

I have needs that are the responsibility of myself and only myself to take care of.

It’s no one else’s job – I am my own.

So, this is where I will start – at the start.

The start of my days has been filled with immediately attending to what others might need.

I still want to make sure I attend to those in a timely manner. However, I want to make sure I am okay.

I want to make sure I am ready, strong enough to attend to what others need.

You can’t give others love if you don’t love yourself.

It is one of the many things that I know is true; I just have to feel it and do it.

It’s about filling your own tank so that you can help fill another’s.

I am thankful that I have many people in my life to love, to care for, and to show respect towards.

I should be on that list.

I think I always have been, but not very high up.

Everyone is important to me – there is no ranking. We are all deserving of love, care, and respect.

I just need to remember to start with myself, too.

And once we get off to a good start, the odds are much higher of a good finish.

NS

“I believe a few words can change your day and your life.”