Skating Uphill - February 2020
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“February is the month of love, so how about we give some love to ourselves?”
– The Uphill Skater –
Yes, ladies, I am putting self-love out there for your consideration. We are so conditioned as women to love and serve others, that we frequently forget ourselves. In fact, I was sharing a Bible story with my Sunday school class last week, and we were talking about the miracle when Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter. After she was healed, the Bible said, she got up and began to serve them. What is that? She gets up from a sick bed and starts to serve the people just sitting around? Okay, you might think this not a good example and maybe from another time, both of which are correct, but have you ever known anyone who did not feel well, or was really sick and made dinner before collapsing into bed, or limped around getting the house clean before finally lying down to rest? I know I have not only heard of it, but I have been that person! Haven’t you?
Self-care is not as simple as getting a massage, or a facial, or taking a
week-end retreat. That can be part of it, of course, but there is more involved. In my opinion, caring for one’s physical self is a huge part of self-esteem. This may sound a bit shallow, but back in the day when people said it didn’t matter how you looked, that wasn’t exactly true.
How you look really does matter because it makes you feel better about yourself. So, it is vital, to look your best. However, looking your best does not have to mean expensive clothing or styled hair, heel height, or even weight. It means the very best you. It means clean, fitted, outwardly glowing, and yes, happy. Being happy gives you a glow all of its own, and it is very personal.
Some people cannot look happy unless they are dressed up, styled, and made up, and that is all right. For others the happy look comes in comfortable shoes or jeans and a sweat shirt. I have a friend who wears a variety of different yoga outfits and she literally shines. She thinks she looks great and let me tell you, she actually does.
My dog sitter is a casual girl to the finest degree. She is in jeans, a tucked in cowboy shirt and boots. She wants to be a farmer, and in fact, her truck license plate reads FARMGRL. She is beautiful. She is confident and she is out there. She works on a farm and is saving to buy land of her own. Mind you, this is a high school girl. Her pride in her accomplishments radiates.
Do you know people like this? People who inspire you with their goals and confidence? I can name many, and what they all have in common is they think they are on the right track. Women who have that unique gift of self-awareness seldom are pushy or preachy. If a woman truly knows herself and lives in alignment with her own truths, she will help others when asked. However, she will not try to make you someone you’re not. People who really “get it” want to help you be you, not anyone else.
Tip: Should you decide to seek help for personal growth, such as hiring a life coach, personal trainer, therapist, be sure their guidance/plan is tailored to YOU and not to some generic client. Never go against your intuition to try to live out some one else’s message. Know what’s important to you, and you will thrive.
It is hard to love someone you don’t know. Self-love requires connecting with yourself and knowing what makes your heart sing. When you’re ready to grow, self-knowledge is the place to start. You will discover things you like and don’t like about yourself. By accepting the things you cannot change and changing some things you feel are important, you automatically fall for yourself and radiate confidence and happiness. This is true self-love, and guess what. It’s beautiful! Love, Judith
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Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.