Self-Care is Kindness to Ourselves
Self-Care asks us to give the same kindness to ourselves that we give to others.
When you have negative or critical thoughts about yourself, stop for a moment and ask yourself this: “Would I say these things about a good friend?”
The chances are that you would not. You would not be unkind to someone else.
Now, try being as kind to yourself as you would to a loved one.
The next time things go wrong, accept the event for what it is. Then, apologize for what happened if that’s appropriate. Then, forgive yourself.
Learning from mistakes and moving on is a positive way to get through life.
Forgiving yourself is what allows you to get through life. When you forgive yourself, you are being nice to yourself. It’s easier to be happy that way.
When you forgive yourself, you are offering self-care. This sends nourishing messages to the brain about your self-worth.
Try, every day, to care for yourself in every way possible.
When stress accumulates, this facial massage meditation will relieve muscles and leave you feeling better.
Facial Massage Meditation
For many of us, the day’s stress accumulates in the muscles of the head, face, and jaw. Massaging your face and head can smooth the tiny muscles and nerve endings. Stress and fatigue will have a chance to disappear.
Begin this meditation by finding a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a few minutes.
Lie flat on a chair, bed, or floor, with your face up. If that is not comfortable, find a comfortable chair or recliner to sit comfortably.
Cover your body with a light blanket or sheet so you won’t get cold as your body relaxes and cools.
Take several deep breaths. Begin these breaths in your abdominal area. Breathe in deeply and hold the breath to the count of three: 1 – 2 – 3.
Now slowly release the breath. When you exhale, you release toxins and stress.
Repeat these inhalations and exhalations 1-2 minutes. As you inhale, you l breathe in healthy air. With each exhalation, you release toxins and stress.
Become aware of your forehead. Mentally relax your forehead to erase wrinkles of expression…the space between your eyebrows becomes bigger. Your eyelids are heavy.
Move your fingers to your forehead and slowly massage it in small circles.
When you feel that your forehead is becoming relaxed, move your fingers to your temples and gently move them in clockwise and counterclockwise motions. Feel this area relaxing.
Notice the tension behind your eyes, and around your eyes and release it.
Now, place your fingers on your temples and move your fingers in small, gentle dime-size circles for a few minutes.
Move your fingers down to your chin and gently, gently pinch your chin and along your jawline to your ears.
Now, move your hands to your cheeks. Massage your soft cheek tissue in a circular motion.
Now, move your hands to your ears. Gently massage along the edges of your ears for a couple of moments. Now, give your ears some long, luscious pulls.
You are finishing your facial massage now. Notice any thoughts, feelings, or sensations you experience now.
Stay quiet for 1-2 minutes while you enjoy and refresh from this experience.
It is time now to return to the present time.
It is okay to return to this place of calm whenever you need.
The goal of this meditation is to experience calm and relaxation using self-touch.
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Thank you for reading this article. I sincerely hope it helps you feel better about yourself and those around you.
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This book is now available as an ebook and should be available as paperbook before December 15th. Order it on thurmangreco.com.
I host “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”, a program aired weekly on Woodstock’s own educational TV channel 23. This show is an informative, upbeat hour with no rehearsals.
My guests are various people whose lives have brought them to Woodstock for a day, a week, an hour, a decade, or more. Let’s Live has been running for over 15 years with an occasional intermission, now and then. You can find some reruns on YouTube “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”.
Renee, our channel wizard adds new programs weekly, usually on Tuesdays..
The Friday evening show airs in Woodstock at 7:00 in the studio located in the Woodstock Community Center on Rock City Road for an hour.
Renee and I both look forward to new subscribers.
Leaving Baggage Behind – No Regrets
Have you ever thought about spiritually cleaning out your closet? cleaning your house?
I got up early this morning because I wanted a few minutes to clean out a closet. Yesterday I promised a friend that I would share some gently used items for her fund raiser.
When I make a promise like that, it’s best that I set a few minutes aside and then work like crazy to get rid of things as quickly as possible.
Working in a fury, I stuffed items in a bag so quickly that I couldn’t overthink the situation. I also knew that I didn’t have time to put things back.
I just grabbed: a white blouse I hadn’t worn in years, a pair of slacks that were never comfortable, 3 T-shirts I was never going to wear again. A new winter coat.
On and on it went. I didn’t give myself time to think I just might, in a pinch, wear one of these items again. I even threw in a pot plant that was still pretty but quickly growing beyond my skill level.
As I stuffed these things in the car, with the plant perched on top of the clothes, I thought about maybe I should have done something like this with some of my other spiritual baggage.
Specifically, I thought of off those regrets I’ve been reliving lately.
We all carry it. Baggage.
Sometimes I feel like I would like to just leave it all behind me as I go through life: Grudges, resentments, painful memories, regrets.
I’ve been carrying all this baggage around with me for decades and decades. Then, a young woman reminded me that we all have baggage.
Sometimes, I just want to leave it all behind.
Other times, getting to a place where I can let go is difficult.
One thing she taught me: forgiveness is a large part of the journey. Leaving all these parcels and bags and boxes of regret is hard.
But, so was gathering all the experiences that became painful memories.
I’m hanging onto all this negativity. It’s making extra weight which I carry around all day, every day, I tried to think of what might be a good way to do this so I went to my roots.
What is going to work?
Eureka! Forgiveness will be important here.
I went to my roots for success! I got out my asphidity bag!
When I’m working on healing an issue, I write a description on a small paper and put it in my asphidity bag. I wear it around my neck to remind me that I’m healing.
Freedom is a goal!
When I have my healing goals in my asphidity bag, I know it’s time to schedule extra weekly Reiki therapy
and Reflexology sessions.
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For more information, check out my books at thurmangreco.com.
Most of my books are available in ebook form as well as paperbook. “But for Gabriel” should be available in December.
Renee posts new segments to “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” on Tuesdays. are posted. Let me know how you like them!
Thanks again!
Thurman Greco
