Leaves transform colors in Autumn because of their preparation for winter. This is a natural process to survive in the upcoming cold, less sunlight season. They are maximizing their ability to adapt in the harsh weather. In a way, this is self-care for trees.
Just like the trees in autumn, we need self-care too, sacred self-care to be exact. Let me share with you some pointers from Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes, author of Sacred Self-care. First, sacred self-care is defined as “maximizing our spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, relational, financial, health and well-being.” Self-care practice is integral in our daily lives to maximize our capacity of wellness.
It is like car maintenance where we keep gas in, check oil and fluids and protect it from environmental hazards. Sacred self-care can be categorized as Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Mental and Relational. Which category needs your attention?
Second, Sacred self-care is gratitude. The Psalmist declares gratitude to God, The Divine Creator in Psalms 139:13-14: “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!” Our self is God’s first and best gift to each one of us. How we care for ourselves is our response of gratitude. Each day we wake up, God gives us that gift (our self) anew, and we have every opportunity to show our appreciation for it.
Third, Sacred self-care is an act of faithful stewardship where we gratefully take care of our well-being as precious creation of God. Stewardship is defined by dictionary as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Sacred self-care then is an act of stewarding ourselves: our body, mind, and soul, that is entrusted to us by God.
One way to practice Sacred self-care is an awareness prayer. Start and end our day with a breath prayer. Being aware of our own breath reminds us of the life God had given us. We may include in our breath prayer this line: “I am God’s perfect gift, and I am a good steward of my body, mind and soul.”