How do you balance give and take in your life?
I have been doing a lot of meditation on self-love lately and realizing that some of that talk is very one sided. It asks you to give to yourself and not so much to others. But it doesn’t focus on allowing yourself to take from others so much.
I was reading on The Wellness Inventory today in the self-love study center and came across the Statement Commentary called It is OK for me to be out-of-balance, vulnerable, or in need.
I have used this one in the past to write this post: Wellness Wednesday #2 – I Am A Glorious Series of Contradictions
I Am A Glorious Series of Contradictions
For me, Self Love and Responsibility have been about knowing that it’s okay to be out of balance from time to time; to share that experience with others being vulnerable and in need. It’s been about increasing that interdependence and asking for help from time to time. It’s about accepting life without expectation of outcome and accepting the outcome of my decisions when they reveal themselves. It’s about learning that giving only to others doesn’t fulfill all that I need, but it does complete me.
I am making more time for self-care as I and my children get older. I do it through physical activity, meditation, getting more sleep, journaling, making time to read more, and trying to make sure the world I surround myself with fits my model of self love. I am trying to learn more about how to be accountable and accepting of my choices as well as how to learn from the ones that didn’t serve me. I am growing more assertive and responsible for my ultimate outcome in life. And I’m trying to be more kind to myself by letting go of some outcomes.
Today I also saw this quote on a blog that I follow:
Perfectionism is not the same thing as strivingto be your best. Perfectionism is the beliefthat if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect,we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame,judgement, and shame. It’s a shield.~Brené Brown

Can you ask for love when you need it?