Your Needs First

     You could feel protective of others today, which could be the result of additional responsibilities you have. These responsibilities may be as a parent, caretaker, or confident of someone close to you. You might notice that this devotion to others makes you feel more mature and responsible. While it is important to accept your obligations, today you may want to make an effort to take some time out for yourself as well. Try to take on only those responsibilities that are your own and not someone else’s. You can remind yourself that you cannot help someone unless you take care of yourself first. As you go about your day you may also want to remember to do your tasks for the joy they bring and not because they make you feel needed.  
 
     Taking care of our own needs first allows us to more fully address the concerns of others. It can be so easy to suppress our needs for what we think is the good of another. This need to be needed can make us feel that since we are responsible for someone else our help is indispensable. What can happen as a result is that we put another person’s welfare above our own. No matter how many duties we may have it is important to realize that we are only truly helpful when we have taken care of ourselves first. By caring for yourself first you will find that it is easier to support others with a spirit of true generosity today.