Remarkable women require remarkable care and feeding! Every woman should create a series of self care rituals and practices which help her shine the brightest... and she should be proud of the time that it takes.
As women, we are usually dissuaded from being "high maintenance". This concept is associated with being fussy, irritating or demanding. It is also usually associated with superficiality, celebrity lifestyles and overspending. It is generally something that excuses need to be made about. Men tolerate it but only if there is a big "payoff" for them personally, rarely recognizing the inherent value in opulent self care. But what if we, as evolutionary women, reclaim the idea of being, "high maintenance"?
During a recent talk with my dear friend, Anne, she commented in a confident voice, "I'm a high maintenance pony," and then laughed proudly. She went on to describe all the self soothing rituals she has around daily yoga, exercise, prayer, saunas, spiritual quests, etc. Throughout her description, there was a sense of pride and accomplishment in her voice which really got me thinking. Anne is an extraordinary being. And I am realizing that time investment in being extraordinary should be valued as something special and honorable instead of something to be embarassed about.
I am now proud to say, as well, that I am a high maintenance pony! Actually, I have been for years, but I always had a few mixed feelings about it. Sometimes it has meant not eating what everyone else is eating or drinking when I go out. Sometimes it means having to say no to types of media which many enjoy but I know don't benefit me. It has meant prioritizing trips for my own spiritual expansion and growth over some family events. It has also meant saying no to my romantic partner when I need to invest time into resting or yoga instead of going out. Honestly, while I have always been able to say "no" with ease, I have felt a slight tinge of guilt about it. And sometimes being called, "high maintenance" made me feel a bit bad.
Talking to Anne reminded me that I can provide myself with all the validation I need. I can be the source of my own recognition by refocusing on the depth of my own life calling. I require extreme measures of self nurturing and tender loving care and I am proud of it! High maintenance ponies are the stuff of champion ponies. Elite achievers which are in the top five percent of any field need equisite care and feeding~ think of Olympic athletes, the Dali Lama, and competing dancers.
I am realizing more and more that in living as my future self, now, I am being invited to step up the quality of my life and the size of the game I am playing. If I am already my future self~ an inspirational writer, speaker and workshop leader ~ empowering millions to enhance the quality of their lives, of course I would require equisite care and feeding (as I already do!) I would realize that the value of my life work is so great there it is an obvious need to nourish myself in lavish ways to allow my body to vessel and transmit the energies moving through me.
So that's it for today. Consider how much time you take for you and maybe give yourself a bit more. Enjoy self soothing, pampering your senses and doing things which make you feel clear and open. This is the most precious investment of time you can make.
xoxo,
So true! Love it.
Posted by: Ewa | October 19, 2010 at 02:39 PM
This is so right on and inspiring! YAY! I have so much to learn from you and your friends... I love Light Bliss!! Thanks Christabel.
Posted by: Sarah H. | October 20, 2010 at 08:53 AM
A much needed reminder! Thank you. As we continue to rock this world with our gifts and offerings, we need to remember to take care of us. This year I've been working on creating daily rituals of self-care and down time...stepping away from the computer and taking care of me. I resonate with your words, which are so beautiful and articulate. A beautiful writer you are, Christabel! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: LBeckMusicDance | October 20, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Wow! I've never heard it said like that before. That is so true, and such a pardigm shift. Thank you!
Posted by: Victoria | November 03, 2010 at 09:13 PM