What Do You Want?
I think it's important to know what we want in order to have a fulfilling life. Many of us have been told as kids that it is selfish to want. And, because of women's unique psychology, it feels particularly selfish for many women to focus on self-needs and self-wants. We get satisfaction from helping other people live better lives. But, when we place the needs and wants of others before we take care of ourselves, we are putting our life on hold. The result is depletion, dis-ease, resentment, depression and many other unhealthy responses. We have to know what we want and allow ourselves to go after our wants in order to be truly and healthily helpful to others. So how do we begin living more fully into and with ourselves?
Here are some beginning steps.
Here are some beginning steps.
- Set a daily intention, such as; "Today my intention is to focus on what I want".
- Let yourself know that this practice will feel selfish for awhile, but that the feeling will ease over time.
- Buy a small notebook that can travel easily with you. Write down at least three small daily wants for the day and make them happen. Examples: Today I want to figure out what my wants are. Today I want to exercise for 20 minutes. Today I want to spend time with my son. Today I want to write for 15 minutes.
Use your daily WANT journal regularly and you will feel more connected to yourself. This is a great platform from which you can be there for others.
