An Empty Cup

As I was proofreading this blog post, I had to admit to myself that it's a bit preachy, and I set out to change the tone of it. I failed, and I’m quite okay with that. I think it’s important and needs to be spoken.

Nearly every day, I post an inspiring (I hope) message on my socials. Some of them I think of far in advance, some of them come to the morning of, but ALL of them come from a thought that has popped into my head or an experience that I had- a personal daily life-lesson, if you will.

Today’s social media post was no different.

This morning’s social media post is this:

Being of service to others doesn’t mean neglecting yourself.

It’s another way of saying that you can’t pour from an empty cup, which we’ve all heard, but I want to get into that a little bit more here, if you’ll allow me.  

The Empty Cup

I’ve been feeling burnt out lately. VERY burnt out. Over the last year, I’ve been prioritizing rest, and I still feel burnt out. I’ve been working six days a week, sometimes seven, and when I get home I just want to crash. Granted, they’re not full days, but even being at work for a few hours on what is supposed to be your day off can feel like you live there.  

To be fair, I still have to run a household alone, so my fatigue can’t just be attributed to my job, but it doesn’t lighten the load, either. It's too much "busy".

I don’t equate being busy with being productive. I don’t think physically running from one appointment to the other is healthy. I don’t think that “the hustle” is a badge of honor.

One piece at a time

God didn’t put us here to give ourselves away one piece at a time without being replenished. Make no mistake, God will replenish you, He will provide. But we were put here with other humans for a reason. We were given families for a reason. We were given friends for a reason. We were given strangers for a reason. I believe that human connection is one of His ways of providing that replenishment.

However, there is a limit to how much your letting others use your connection to recharge their own energy and leaving nothing for you. Set boundaries and learn to say no without guilt or the fear of repercussion. This practice will free up your time for the activities that fulfill you and bring you joy. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary.

Do not put yourself on a cross, that’s not your destiny. That destiny was for one soul only, and that destiny has already been fulfilled. Your destiny doesn’t include being so generous with your resources (your physical being is a resource), that you give and give and give until there’s nothing left. Nothing in nature thrives that way.

In other words, slow the hell down and take time to actually smell the roses.

Sending you all my sincere love.

Namaste