Fill Your Cup
As a parent, spouse, co-worker, committee member, neighbor, and friend, we are whole heartedly committed to helping others. We unselfishly give countless hours to volunteering, consistently put in overtime at work, drop everything to be there to help others who are struggling, and spend many sleepless nights taking care of little ones, or aging parents. But what about you? Do you dedicate even 15 minutes to taking care of you? I’m not saying that any of your efforts for others aren’t needed or appreciated, believe me they are, but for you to give it 100% you also need time to “fill your cup.”
Take that 15 minute stroll on the country road, read that book, call a friend, lift weights to hard rock music, laugh at a funny TikTok video, shoot some hoops, get up early to watch the sunrise, take time to do what makes you happy. When you are recharged, you are more likely to have a positive perspective and will be more effective in your efforts to help others.
Within the last few weeks I have attended two funerals, and while visiting with the family and friends about what they have been up to, the consistently weary answer was work, work, work. Obviously they were somber because they lost a loved one, but they were also drained because of their busy schedule. The schedule they continue to power through every day until it turns into months where they haven’t taken time to enjoy life. After imparting my best advise about taking time to “fill their cup,” it started to resonate with me. What would my answer be if someone asked what I had been up to? Funerals have a way of putting things into perspective and reminding you about living life to the fullest.
Take time for you, take time to enjoy the special moments with others, and keep filling your cup so that you can be 100% and give wholeheartedly. And in case no one has told you today, YOU ARE APPRECIATED! ~ Debbie Hawkinson, Executive Director, McPherson Chamber of Commerce