It can feel selfish to focus on yourself. As if the world is all about you. With so much pain and strife in the world, how can it be right to spend our time and effort on ourselves? I appreciate the way Maya Angelou put this…”be on my own side.” That’s the first step. How can we speak up for others and help them if we are unable to do that for ourselves? Eventually our words and actions become hollow and reek of do what I say not what I do. And who wants to listen or support that?
Once we exhibit the courage and freedom to be our own best champion, THAT is when we have won the right to do the same for others. Maya gives us the second step…“be an advocate for myself and others like me.” There is great wisdom in following someone who leads by example. Not that they are perfect all the time, yet somehow they have figured out how to do it for themselves. Once they can do that, it gives them credibility in doing the same for others. We strengthen our own resolve and beliefs when we have won a few battles, then can apply that strategy to supporting the bigger picture.
None of us are in this thing alone. We are at our best when we live and serve others. To do that with all we have within us, we first have to know, understand AND accept our own abilities and limitations. We have to work on ourselves – knowing, loving, accepting, speaking up for who we are and what we want. When we are able to do that, we can then apply those same skills and abilities to helping others.
So be selfish, go first. Do your best work in your own life then branch out into helping others. Be the person you want to be and help others do the same. Thank you Maya – once again great advice for us all!
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