WHAT IS SELF-CARING?

It is easy to confuse selfish behavior and self-centeredness with self-caring. Self-centered people are hollow. They constantly manipulate others in an attempt to fulfill their needs for love, care or attention.

Those who are self-caring have concern for others, but it not at the expense of themselves. They respect other adults enough to allow them to look after themselves. They nurture themselves, seeing that their own physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs are met. They get enough sleep, good food, and exercise so they have strong, healthy bodies. They find mental stimulation to keep their minds alert. They do what is necessary to remain spiritually healthy.

Self-caring people are emotionally intimate with real friends who understand them and like them, and learn to deal with unruly emotions and life situations. And they only spend time with people who like and respect them for who they are so that they can remain emotionally stable. They also do not expect anyone, or any group of people to meet all their needs.

Instead of being self-centered, these self-caring people are able to be "other-centered." They are able to care for others because they recognize and find the love and attention they, themselves need. They do things for others because they want to, not to get something in return. They act without fear of what others will think, for their satisfaction lies in the action itself and not in the reaction of other people. They share their love with others and are able to accept love in return.

Self-caring people have found serenity. They know they are neither marvelous nor insignificant. The world does not rest on their shoulders; they have accepted themselves and others as they really are--with all their strengths and faults. They are able to wear the world as a loose garment.

A person who is learning

about Self-caring

October 16, 1986