Our kids can be our biggest teachers, and often are. Here’s a funny story for you…..
A very generous friend offered my husband court side seats at the Houston Rockets game. Their seats are directly behind the Rockets bench, so you are literally a foot away from the players for the entire game.
My younger son, Dylan, was lucky enough to accompany my husband to the game, and was absolutely over the moon and extremely grateful. He didn’t respond with just a “thanks, Dad,” it was more of a jumping up and down, fists pumping in the air reaction.
Apparently, during the game he tapped one of the starting players on the shoulder and in his sweet, slightly squeaky voice asked, “Excuse me sir, do you think after the game I could maybe have your jersey, or maybe your shoes?”
My husband was simultaneously dying at the fact that Dylan tapped him on the shoulder during the game, which isn’t encouraged, and so completely impressed with his bravery.
The player responded with, “I’ll see what I can do.” He may have been taken by surprise himself, as most people probably ask for a selfie, or an autograph, not his clothes!
Dylan refused to leave the stadium after the game, even though everyone had cleared out and he and my husband were just about the last people left…and wouldn’t you know it…after about ten minutes someone came out of the locker room to find him with not only one, but two signed shoes.
Dylan was beaming with pride when he got home that night. I told him that type of willingness to go after what you want in life will serve him extremely well, and I was so proud of him for taking a chance.
The next day I was taking a walk, and I began to relate this story to self-care in my mind, because I pretty much relate everything to self-care!
I started to analyze how we can think about doing something all day long, or we can seize the moment. This can go for starting a meditation practice, getting more sleep, eating healthier, exercising, spending more time outside, spending more time with loved ones…and everything in between.
I felt really inspired by my son, so I decided to make a change in my own life. I really wanted to learn more about energy clearing. The subject has interested me for a long time, and I always meant to dig into the stack of books teetering on my nightstand. His example led me to finally take action.
I now schedule in an hour each week to study energy. I treat this time as sacred, and it is all about the joy of learning. The hour I spend by myself each week studying is pure self-care. I crave it!
I encourage you to think about what you want to bring into your life. How do you want to feel? What will get you there? How can you get started?
Nothing in our lives will ever change if we are too scared to go after what we want. It is easy to make excuses, but you deserve more than that. Commit to one small change, and before you know it you will have a new habit, interest, or joy in your life. There is no right or wrong as long as you go for it!
Originally published at medium.com