The nourisher must learn to be nourished.
-- Bishop T. D. Jakes

A friend asked if I were to receive a gift card, where would I want it to be from. Of course the first thing that came from my survivalist brain and mouth was, “Kroger, or the Super-Walmart so I can multitask.” She then reminded me that my baby and my home were not what she asked me about, that both of them already had more stuff than anybody could ever imagine. “You,” she insisted. “I'm asking about you.”

Now, I could have argued with her, as I’m prone to do, that my kid, my home, and my dog are extensions of me and whatever made them happy and comfortable certainly made me so. I could have told her that when they’re alright, I’m alright. But that would have been cheating (and a lie). That line of thinking qualifies as allowing other stuff to define you, speak for you, and be you. To fill your voids and cover up your sense of lack and longing. To shape your day so it won’t seem pointless, satisfy your need to be busy so you won’t go crazy, and confirm that you are alive, although only to meet the desires of everybody else.

So, while I paused and thought, and wavered and thought, and then thought some more, she challenged me to use the next seven months to figure out what I liked. Okay, I’ll take the challenge and the clock is ticking.

I’m convinced that the task of focusing on your Self, your needs, likes, and dislikes is not always an easy one. The world makes it very difficult for you to give that kind of serious thought/energy to your Self. The demands of the day require that you be, know, have, and do, and to proceed otherwise is treason. The way of the world is to supply its demands and make your Self available just because it calls.

But that’s only if you buy-in and concede to what the world is serving. What would the world look like - what would we look like - if we actually took that time to intentionally and carefully think about our Selves? If we were to sift to the core of our Selves and pay attention to our inner ambiance, might we become self-centered and narcissistic, seeking only that which brings pleasure and satisfaction to our Selves? Or, would it be possible that as we begin to purposefully consider (and embrace) our Selves, we also begin to love others fully and freely, without requirement, reserve, or exception? Would we take the low road or the high road?

Although being self-absorbed may sometimes feel emancipating and the order of the hour, Brother Jesus commanded that we take the path far above the ground and love others as we love ourselves. And, if you accept that the real purpose for your life is to serve God, then at the outset, you’ve got to love (consider, reflect on, respect, care about) yourself. Essentially this means you’ve got to spend some time with you, getting to know you, feeding good stuff to yourself, so you can get all your love on.

Simple. Right?

So, what do you like? What do you need? Who are you? How do you care for your Self? When was the last time you did something just for you? If someone were to buy you a gift card, where would it be from? The clock is ticking…………

Sadiqqa © 2007