Skip to content

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE

13/03/2017
tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“If you nurture your mind, body, and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more.” Brian Koslow

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE - We all need it

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE – We all need it

My hope is that we continue to nurture the places that we love, but that we also look outside our immediate worlds. Annie Leibovitz
My husband and I believe that if you treat a child well and nurture his talent and physical ability, in a healthy environment, the child will succeed no matter what. Dominique Moceanu
I believe there is a spirit within us, which we nurture based upon our efforts and what we bring to the world. But it doesn’t come from the outside; it comes from the inside. Michael Douglas

Did you know that in March we celebrate Women’s History Month? We also celebrate National Nutrition Month, World Wildlife and Water Day, a Day of Happiness, Holi, and so much more. With all the events and special commemorations going on this month, we can’t help but stop to think about nurturing;  be it self nurture, nurturing of others, or observing the many ways care, encouragement, and nurturing occur in nature and in all the lifeforms around us.  As we hit the first quarter of 2017, it’s time to ask ourselves some tough questions. Where are we in terms of  the goals we set for the year? How are we feeling about our lives overall? Even if we choose to not set aside the debate on nature vs nurture and what we are instinctively inclined to do as humans, what stands out is that we all need some nurturing to refuel our minds and bodies. The best part of this conversation is that it is never too late to start a wellness/self-care strategy for ourselves.

Part of building a meaningful, successful life includes creating a healthy balance between our needs and the needs of others. Each of us needs time for reflection and rest. When we drive ourselves nonstop, running helter-skelter, chasing one dream after another, sooner or later, we will reach the precipice of our existence and fall right over the edge. Nurturing our lives and choosing healthy options allows us to make better choices and give more quality time to others. Some people view self-care as self indulgent and even selfish but that attitude is dangerous. If we don’t give ourselves space and time to replenish and refuel our bodies, mind, and spirit, we set ourselves up for feelings of resentment and burnout. Don’t wait for others to give you permission to care for yourself. Seize it with both hands and trust that the good you do for yourself will benefit others you meet along the way.

A Story: Clear the Mist In Your Mind & Heart
One day, a man beheld through the opening of a cloud, the calm face of the mountain. He stopped every passer-by, that would stay to give an answer, and inquired of the way that would lead him beyond the mists. Some said take this path, and others said take that path. After many days of confusion and toil, he
arrived among the hills.
A man, full in years, wise in the ways of the hills, said, “I know the way. You cannot reach the mountain, O friend, unless you are strengthened by the power that comes from the adoration of the image in yonder shrine.”
Many days passed in peaceful worship. Tired of worship, he asked of men that seemed great with understanding. “Yea,” said one, “I know the way. But if you would gain the fulfillment of your desire, carry this on you. It will uphold you in your weariness.” He gave him the symbol of his struggle.
Another cried, “Yea, I know the way. But many days of contemplation must be passed in the seclusion of a sanctuary, with my picture of eternity.”
“I know the way,” said another, “But you must perform these rites, understand these hidden laws, you must enter the association of the elect and hold fast to the knowledge that we shall give you.”
“Be loud in the song of praise of the reflection that you seek,” said another.
“Come, follow me, obeying all things I say. I know the way,” cried another.
Eventually, the calm face of the mountain was utterly forgotten. Now he wanders from hill to hill, crying aloud, “Yes, I know the way, but…”
There is a mountain, far beyond the plains and hills, whose great summit overlooks the dark valley and the open seas. Neither cloud nor deep mists ever hide its calm face. It is above the shadows of day and night. From the vast plain, no man can behold it. Some have seen it but there be few that have reached its feet.
One in many thousand years gathers his strength and gains that abode of eternity.
I speak of that mountain top, serene, infinite, beyond thought.
I shout for joy! By J. Krishnamurti via Zenstories

 

“I think as a woman it’s in our nature to nurture someone else. Sometimes at the expense of ourselves.” Emilia Clarke

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE - We all need it

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE – We all need it

I believe you have to nurture your conscience. Loretta Young
I don’t pretend there aren’t biological differences, but I don’t believe the desire for leadership is hardwired biology, not the desire to win or excel. I believe that it’s socialization, that we’re socializing our daughters to nurture and our boys to lead. Sheryl Sandberg
My purpose is to teach and demonstrate what is possible. To demonstrate love of Creation and good. Remember what my role is as a woman: to be… good. My role as a mother: to teach, support and nurture my offspring. My role as a grandmother: to remind everybody – right where you are, Creator is. Iyanla Vanzant

How Do YOU Nurture Yourself? It’s not uncommon to read about Moms and caregivers who. like martyrs, give up any semblance of self care because they give their all to their families. Is it healthy? Is it wise? No, it is not. Love your family. Care for them but, also take care of yourself. Being a martyr means you are leaving nothing in your tank for your own care and an early demise might be your reward.  I am often reminded of what happens when the gas masks drop down on a plane. The advice to parents on board is to put them on first and then help their children with theirs. It is not a callous act because what good are we to our loved ones if we are spent and have no oxygen left in our tanks? We give our best help to loved ones and others when we are well rested and nurtured. If we invest some of our time in self-care activities, exercise, good nutrition, healthy habits, and meaningful friendships, we will bring a full tank to every interaction we have with our friends and family.

For me, self-care begins with nutrition, exercise, and spending quality time with people who lift me up. My spiritual life is equally important because it nurtures my spirit and my creative endeavors. Exploring new ways to grow and learn is a great way to keep us balanced.  If we make a commitment to try something new and healthy each month, we’d be pleased when, months later, we find out that we have grown in so many new and dynamic ways. Another great way to nurture self is by using a spa day to help us rejuvenate our bodies in a soothing, beneficial way. Do these cost a ton of money? They don’t have to at all. We can comparison shop for some activities and  can always DIY at home.  I find that even a trip to the movies, getting a Mani-pedi or taking a hike in a nearby nature walk can help us shift some of the daily signs of stress we experience.  How does self-care begin for you? Carpe diem!

 

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for January and February 2017 are:
FEBRUARY

02/6 –    Black History Month, 6, Lame Duck Day, 12, Lincoln’s Birthday
02/13 – 14, Valentine’s Day, 15, Constitution Day,
02/20 – 20, Presidents’ Day, Washington’s Birthday, 24, Carnival/Flag Day, 26, New Moon
02/27 – 27, Clean Monday, 28, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday,

MARCH

03/ – March is Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, American Red Cross Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, 03/01 – Ash Wednesday and Zero Discrimination Day, 03/03, World Wildlife Day
03/06 – 08, International Women’s Day 09, World Kidney Day
03/13 –  12, Purim starts and Daylight Savings Day, 13, Holi, 14, Pi Day, 17, Saint Patrick’s Day
03/20 – 20, International Day of Happiness, 21, World Poetry Day, 22, World Water Day 23 Puppy Day, 24, TB Day
03/27 – 27, Doctors Day

 

Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2017?

post-a-week-2017-md
– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.

BHWritingLab_052016_post_PROMPT1A

— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab

 

 

More Below!
“Nurture your minds with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes.” Benjamin Disraeli

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE - We all need it

Motivation Mondays: NURTURE – We all need it

The more that I looked at DNA, the more I realized it was nature and nurture. It’s how genes and your environment work together to produce the person you are. Sam Kean
You’re not a product of your nature. That is your genetic makeup or your nurture, the things that have happened to you. Of course those things affect you powerfully, but they do not determine you. Stephen Covey
I think if something’s good and you believe in it, and you care about it, and you give it love and nurture it, it’s going to happen. Jerry Weintraub

What other ways can we find to nurture the good in our lives? For starters, we need time to sort out our thoughts and goals, and our motivation will come from our environment and our support system.  If that is the case, then it is imperative that we protect who/what we allow into our sacred space = our environment. To achieve that end goal, we must surround ourselves with people who care about our well-being, who show through their actions that they care,  and who consistently nurture our efforts with positive feedback and honest compassionate assessments. Once we decide to incorporate self-care and nurturing into our daily routine, the first and most important step we must take is to break bad habits that pull us down. We must make a concerted effort to change directions and break old routines, as we focus on the positive and aim for pathways that will help us grow. Today is Holi, a festival of love and colors, use this time to celebrate all the things you cherish about your life. Come back for a few stories and more!

A Story: Focus On Youself & Care
During the Kamakura period, Shinkan studied Tendai six years and then studied Zen seven years; then he went to China and contemplated Zen for thirteen years more. When he returned to Japan many desired to interview him and asked obscure questions. But when Shinkan received visitors, which was infrequently, he seldom answered their questions.
One day a fifty-year-old student of enlightenment said to Shinkan: “I have studied the Tendai school of thought since I was a little boy, but one thing in it I cannot understand. Tendai claims that even the grass and trees will become enlightened. To me this seems very strange.”
“Of what use is it to discuss how grass and trees become enlightened?” asked Shinkan. “The question is how you yourself can become so. Did you even consider that?”
“I never thought of it that way,” marveled the old man.
“Then go home and think it over,” finished Shinkan.

 

Have a Happy, Healthy 2017!

Any Zen Antics stories via Goodweb.cn

Share

Positive Motivation Tip:  Nurture your body, mind, and spirit, and your steadiness will flow into your relationships with loved ones and others…

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Related Posts

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos –   via Wikipedia, and/or  Nurture  Care, Encourage, Family, via Pixabay

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

from → Global Events, Love Life, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2017
35 Comments leave one →
  1. Befitting Style permalink
    17/04/2017 12:27 am

    I love Women’s History Month! I used to do things to commemorate it every year. Gotta get back to it!

    Reply
  2. leuchocojummy permalink
    17/04/2017 4:02 am

    I feel mums deserve nurturing too because they are like the main wheel of the home that works nonstop.

    Reply
  3. natalielovesbeauty permalink
    29/01/2022 9:09 am

    I really enjoyed reading your take on nurturing oneself and others. I nurture myself by taking care of my mind, body and soul.

    Reply
  4. lbosworth permalink
    29/01/2022 1:54 pm

    Self care for me means eating according to my body’s needs, getting enough sleep, doing only things that feel right for me and saying ‘no’ to people or things that aren’t right for me.

    Reply
  5. SiennyLovesDrawing permalink
    29/01/2022 3:26 pm

    Totally agreeing with you on this nurture sharing, since I have my little niece joined my small family, I have enjoying my proud aunt journey to exploring anything for her growing up 😀 nurturing start just when the born of the little one 😀

    Reply
  6. Fransic verso permalink
    29/01/2022 3:42 pm

    We need to balance between with what we need and others need. And the story is interesting about “Yourself and focus” Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  7. aisasami permalink
    30/01/2022 12:51 am

    Nurturing is super important our lives. Taking the time to find self care and thinking about what where we want to go is so important.

    Reply
  8. Lyosha Varezhkina (@lyoshathegirl) permalink
    30/01/2022 10:40 pm

    I really loved the story, never heard anything like that before. the mountain top is so poetic and I love how it teaches me nurturing myself, being calmer and more collected

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Motivation Mondays: Reflections On Easter & Passover | Mirth and Motivation
  2. Motivation Mondays: Earth Day for Environmental & Climate Literacy | Mirth and Motivation
  3. Motivation Mondays: EXPECTATIONS | Mirth and Motivation
  4. Motivation Mondays: BREATHE | Mirth and Motivation
  5. Motivation Mondays: Honoring Memorial Day | Mirth and Motivation
  6. Motivation Mondays: MODERATION | Mirth and Motivation
  7. Motivation Mondays: Father’s Day Matters | Mirth and Motivation
  8. Motivation Mondays: Relief or Relieved? | Mirth and Motivation
  9. Motivation Mondays: PERSEVERANCE | Mirth and Motivation
  10. Motivation Mondays: Dream BIGGER – Independence Day | Mirth and Motivation
  11. Motivation Mondays: MINDSET – #WorldPopulationDay | Mirth and Motivation
  12. Motivation Mondays: ANGER | Mirth and Motivation
  13. Motivation Mondays: PARENTING | Mirth and Motivation
  14. Motivation Mondays: Revisiting Friendship | Mirth and Motivation
  15. Motivation Mondays: Life Is a GIFT | Mirth and Motivation
  16. Motivation Mondays: ASK | Mirth and Motivation
  17. Motivation Mondays: ECLIPSE | Mirth and Motivation
  18. Motivation Mondays: STRUGGLE | Mirth and Motivation
  19. Motivation Mondays: LABOR of LOVE | Mirth and Motivation
  20. Motivation Mondays: Patriot Day – Remembering 9/11 | Mirth and Motivation
  21. Motivation Mondays: STAY STEADFAST | Mirth and Motivation
  22. Motivation Mondays: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | Mirth and Motivation
  23. Motivation Mondays: SAILING | Mirth and Motivation
  24. Motivation Mondays: Overcoming Adversity | Mirth and Motivation
  25. Motivation Mondays: Stumbling Blocks | Mirth and Motivation
  26. Motivation Mondays: Heart Of Transitions | Mirth and Motivation
  27. Motivation Mondays: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | Mirth and Motivation

Your Comment is Appreciated!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Mirth and Motivation

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading