Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Appreciation
How much are you worth? That depends on the 'currency' we choose to look at. Naturally there is no price to match a life... Life is priceless and it's good to remember as often as possible to appreciate what we've got. Life is miraculous and I'm frequently in awe of our amazing 'being' and aware of my fragile existence here.
But with regards to 'worth', there are various ways of valuing aspects of life. We may say something is not worth the money, maybe it's over priced or possibly its use to you or I is not worth the expense. But when it comes to 'us', ie. you or I, how do you rate your worth? Well without beating about the bush any more and get to the point, I'm referring to how much we are prepared to spend on someone else for a gift, service or favour and how much we would do for ourselves.
We all have different senses of 'worth', financial worth is purely a number but when it comes to giving a service or favour to someone, we may be considered someone who is generous or possibly....mean; that depends on the view point of the individual doing the judging and is purely subjective. I prefer to not judge in any way if I can possibly avoid it. What is, is.
Some of us may not be inclined to do many favours to others and of course that's fine; we may be so absorbed in what we are doing ourselves and have not got much time for others. However my belief is 'What we give out is what we get back', maybe not in the same currency but we may receive back something that is of real value to us, when we need it, and by doing a service to others is part of what makes the world go around. But I don't think it's good to consider any favour or service as being part of a deal; it's good to give for 'giving sake' and to leave it at that.
There are others of us who do a great many services to others, always on the look out for those we know and love, maybe doing charitable service to a great many people who we do not know at all; giving of our time selflessly. And what we give out is probably what we get back, in favour, good turn and love.
What do we give to ourselves? While some of us will treat ourselves regularly with little things, others may not. I have met a great many people who give selflessly of their time to others, buy expensive presents for others, look after the family and do the washing, ironing, shopping and cleaning and cooking and chauffeuring and, and.... possibly only getting a Mother's Day or Father's Day card in return....plus thanks in the form of love. And for some people not even that.
Giving to ourselves can sometimes be the hardest thing in the world. We may be doing favours and buying for others, but the very person who we are closest to, even closer than those people we love-to-bits and ever-so completely, ...is ourselves.
When we have achieved something that we have had ambition towards, successfully reached a landmark, won a deal, been awarded a distinction, done all the household chores, then I think it's very important to recognise that and give ourselves a proverbial 'pat on the back'. It's good to recognise it as the final stage of the project, from conception, planning, then the action through to completion,... then it's time for congratulation! Always dashing from one activity to another without pausing to acknowledge our achievements can create a life of unfulfilment. it's good to stop, smile, pat on the back, give a present and stand up proudly. This is not being egotistical, big headed or pompous; it is simply recognising our achievements. It is to do with self-worth. We may not buy a lavish gift for ourselves, but enjoy some time to ourselves as a treat, have a day in a spa or simply a lovely quiet walk in a park.
It is also good to appreciate what we have got, to stop, think and acknowledge our existence, our comforts and all that we have. We do not need more. I like to stop and think how lucky I am in small and big ways. Appreciation of what we have brings contentment and happiness. Spending money does not bring lasting happiness; the love we give and receive from others is far greater, and so is our health. I say 'thank you' for my health very regularly.
But there are times when it's good to go out and buy ourselves something special. Maybe that can be something that we do not even need, but a lavish indulgence that is unnecessary other than the purpose of 'treating ourselves'. I would go further and say that we should go out and get something we do not need and is a complete and beatiful treat! It need not be expensive but a modestly priced indulgence. Thank you, ME! And this is not time to feel guilty but smile with pride at the little thing...or big thing that we have treated ourselves to.
My Dad taught me something when I was a lad that I have never forgotten. Not everyone may agree with this, but I have followed his advice on dozens of occasions through my life and never regretted it yet. He said if I am going to buy something for myself, I should buy the product that is the next higher in value above what I was intending, as long as I can afford it. This meant that I never bought the cheapest item for the sake of it, unless on occasions that was the most sensible thing and a greater expense was a waste. NO. If I was going to buy something, maybe even a kettle, or a shirt, radio or anything really, I would buy the one that's a notch more expensive, lavish, spoiling and giving to myself than the one I had initially intended. If it was mechanical it would be less likely to break down, if it was aesthetic and stylish I would appreciate it with pride....and feel good about myself. The key though is not to over-stretch and buy something I cannot afford; then I end up in debt. Debt causes worry, fear and drains our energy unless it's well planned and the repayments are within our control.
If I ever 'treat' myself to something as I have done this afternoon by going to the post office and getting side-tracked on my return to my practice and significantly lighter in the wallet, I choose something that really makes me feel good....as long as I can afford it. And why do I do that? Because I am worth it! And you are worth it too!
We can give of ourselves to others so much; financially, emotionally and by being of service it is very easy to forget ourselves. And when we feel good, recognised for our efforts (to ourselves or others) then we are motivated to do even more (for ourselves or others!). That's what makes the world go around. :-)
So you're probably wondering what I bought for myself. Well that is a secret and I'm not going to tell you that it was a beautiful pair of cuff links. No I'm not! :-)
