Guilt Free Tip #10- What kind of friend are you?
When someone asks us to describe what a good friend is, we may hear words and phrases like:
loyal, caring, fun, sincere, good listener, makes you feel important, makes time for you, there for you through thick and thin, believes in you, supports you, challenges you when you need it…
So let me ask you….are you a good friend to yourself?
So often we think, automatically, about what we can do (or should do) for others that we tend to put ourselves last. And at times it goes so far that we start to think we are being selfish if we actually bump up our needs to a top spot on our to do list. Where did we get this idea? Just like we want to be a good friend to those close to us, we must also determine how good of a friend we are to ourselves!
Of course my first priority as a Mom is to fulfill my children’s needs. There are times, however, when my children’s DESIRES do not have to come before my need to be a good friend to myself. Pulling out a new game can wait a few minutes so I can finish writing in my journal. Refilling a juice cup can hold off a few moments until I finish my conversation with a dear friend. To be able to finish my meal while sitting down before I read one more book, is not only something that teaches us that we are important and our needs ARE (and SHOULD BE) a priority, but it also teaches our children that we are not only a good friend to those around us, but we are the best kind of friend to ourselves!