Friday, May 1, 2009

Remember to Take Care of You!

One of the easiest things to do, and perhaps one of the biggest mistakes we can make, is to get so pulled into this life of daily autistic challenges, that we absolutely forget the importance of taking care of ourselves, as well as our child(ren). The irony of that situation is that how in the world can we help our kids...if we don't help ourselves, too?!

I guess speaking for myself, which I hope you realize I always do in here, as I would never presume to know your personal difficulties and struggles, but I've learned to take the quiet moments when and where I can get them. A hot bath, a long walk, an hour reading a good book, time in seclusion praying and reading God's Word, they may all seem like such simple things, but it makes a huge difference, especially in the long run.

Take it from me, its amazing what even just a few minutes can do - away from the noise, the clutter, the absolute chaos that becomes our day-to-day life! Honestly, its almost mandatory to allow yourself to step away, back off, back down, and just exhale if and when you can.

When you're going in adrenaline mode hour after hour, you've got to find a way to step back and let it release...or you'll want to explode. And in fact, its not a bad idea for your child(ren) to see and eventually understand that even Mommy/Daddy need to go to a quiet place and regroup, and hopefully one day they'll do the same thing with positive results.

Its been a long winter here. Now spring is here...well, almost, lol. Its nice enough outdoors to be able to go out for some much-needed fresh air, soak up a bit of sunshine, and just thank the good Lord for helping us make it through the cold, hard winter. Listen to the birds sing! Feel the warmth of the sun on your face! Walk barefoot in the grass! Pick a flower or two! Take a moment to notice how blue the sky is! Look around at all the trees coming into bloom! Enjoy the gorgeous colors of spring! The grass is greener, the sky is bluer, the sun is brighter...these are the small things, yet the things that God in all His wisdom knew could make an absolute difference...if we just take the time to notice them. God bless you and yours!


esther

6 comments:

Chun Wong said...

I love this post's photo!

I agree, it's so easy as parents to just spend all our time caring for our kids and forgetting about ourselves but we can't be good parents if we don't have some "me" time.

GranthamLynn said...

Beautiful words from your heart. I agree sometimes we need to take a break and rest. And rest in our Fathers arms. I pray now that you have a restful day and enjoy the begginging spring!
Many Blessings,
Sherry
btw I came over from Fearless Friday.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know I was thinking bout you all and keeping you in prayers

Love ya,
Kat

Michele said...

What a wonderful post,Beautiful, We all need to take a break, and rest in God and injoy the simple things.

Autism Mom Rising said...

Very good reminder to us all.

Shauna said...

Love your site! This is something I have to remind myself daily "take care of myself". Very personal, but I almost lost my life back in June 09, from liver codition, surgery on (nodule hyperplasia) non-cancerous tumor flattened main artery to my heart 1/2 centimeter to operate, they are learning that despite what they were taught in med school these DO grow. Doctor's said now, or liver transplant, heart attack, etc. later... If they would have just monitored, one week that passed could have been too late for them to save me. This tumor, size of a canteloupe is the only on record, due to it's size and location (from pre-diabetic med.for 5 years), also gallbladder removed. Am still in recovery. Pain nausea & very large scar. Liver is the organ that create's nausea, and it also create's nausea as it regenerate's/grows... Double whammy... God's little reminder at 31 that life is short and that we all need to take care of ourselves to some degree first and to de-stress as much as possible. We have to be alive and well to help our children for as lomg as God blesses us with them. God bless you for all that you do.

Sincerely,
Shauna Layton-Founder
Together In Autism
www.togetherinautism.org
togetherinautism@aol.com








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