I received an unsettling email pertaining to my doggies. It was very hard for me to swallow; many of you know that my dogs are my life.
I’ve always been somewhat of a ‘loner’, drifting from clique to clique during school. I never really fit in and chose not to settle in just one ‘group’. That has left me in my adult years without many female friends. No pity here, just my choice in how I enjoy my life.
I also have a history of not taking care of myself, letting my physical health go and my mental/emotional health suffer. Before I adopted my highly playful pups, I was often sad, bored or lonely. When I got my second dog, I could barely walk the two of them down the street. They were so strong I was pulled down to the side-walk on more than one occasion.
My dogs have been my ‘friends’ in more than one way. I speak to them like they are able to talk back; I hang out with them outdoors; I enjoy the present moment as I watch their extremely curious nature.
Today was a walk, similar yet different than each one we’ve been on before.
We were enjoying ourselves, as we always do but this time I noticed my younger dog looking up to the trees. He was so intent on following the birds with his eyes, ears and nose.
My next thought was an odd, but interesting one.
How far would I go for my doggies? What would I do if they were in trouble? If it was my health, a person I loved or theirs, who would I choose? What extremes would I take to take care of them?
I’m not alone in this more than caregiver mentality. A dog owner in my family loves his dog more than I’ve ever seen before. He helps his dog get up every single time he needs to move, even carrying him in the ‘fire-fighter’ hold I loved as a child. He feeds his dog by hand; wipes his dog’s behind. This is true love. This is total care.
What about you?
Who do you care for in this way? Who do you put before your own self? Is it time for you to re-evaluate just how much you care for you?
Check out this archived episode of my radio show where I interview Nat Couropmitree, Nat shares how he lost 22 lbs in 6 weeks without feeling deprived, offers how you can too and talks about how to use this plan to feel more fulfilled.
I visited Nat’s website recently and saw he has a new logo on the page. I love it: while you’re serving the world, Nat asks, who’s supporting you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts below. Who supports you? How do you allow yourself to be cared for? In what ways are you able to take care of yourself as you love and care for others too?
That’s a good question because like you, I don’t ever think about who’s supporting me? I guess I could say my husband is my biggest advocate along with my life-long bff. My three daughters are there for me but they don’t live as close. They care a lot and I talk to them at least several times/week. They would be here in a hearbeat if I needed them but I don’t like to bother them as they are just starting out in molding their own lives. My husband is the one who looks out for me and let’s me know when I’m too tired, need to eat or slow down. My bff lets me know when it’s time to have some fun, go to lunch, do some shopping and catch up on each other’s lives. Like I’ve said previously, I now take a day every two weeks or so for myself and call it, “MY DAY.” On that day I do as I want and take time to rest or get some much-needed time for me. I have been sticking to that promise I made to myself. Also like you, I love my pet! I am a cat lover and my cat is my buddy. She is the first one there when I come home from work and the last to see me off. She is always happy to see me and never allows me to sleep alone. When I am having a nightmare (when my husband isn’t there), she is there to wake me and stay until I am fully awake. If I’m sick or sad, she is there to lay by my side sensing my pain. All the above people and non-people have one thing in common….unconditional love. They give me unconditional love. As I look over this reply, I realize that I do have many that support and look out for me and are there if and when I need them. I guess I’m a pretty lucky lady! Thanks for letting me figure this out 😀
You are a lucky lady. Glad to help. It sounds like you have some real support, Marti. And that’s something to be grateful for. I love how you’ve come to realize that this is ‘unconditional love’. And now, can you share that same unconditional love with yourself? Can you also support you? :- ) Enjoy your weekend!
I believe I can and do support myself. I made that decision after your last Rejuvenation Collaboration IV. I completely changed my way of thinking when it came to work and what was going on there. I started going into work with ONLY a positive attitude. Guess what? Things weren’t so bad! Turned out things actually were better than I had ever expected. The same for outside of work. I am ok with whatever comes my way and even if I’m not so happy with something, I tell myself that it is what it is. So far, I am so happy with how things are going and nothing is going to deter me and how I think now. Life is what YOU make it!
Awesome shifts, Marti. I appreciate you sharing. Elizabeth
Thank YOU, Liz, for all your help, lessons, “homework,” and hard work to make the various classes and webinars so helpful! I don’t think you know how many people you have touched and helped. Keep it up!
I appreciate the feedback and it’s awesome to hear. Thank you!!