I recently saw an interview with inspirational speaker, life coach, tv personality, and lawyer Iyanla Vanzant in which she said “My cup runneth over; what’s in the cup is mine and what overflows is yours.”

She was talking on the importance of taking care of yourself, creating healthy boundaries, and making self care a top priority. You see, you cannot give to others if your own cup is empty.

So many times in our lives we identify ourselves as caretakers. Whether we are caring for our children, our spouses, or others in and through our work, we can expend a lot of energy, care, and emotion on other people. While this is a noble venture, if we don’t take the time to fill our own cup first, what ends up happening is we become burnt out, resentful, and even sick.

“It is not a ‘selfish’ act” as Iyanla says, to make caring for yourself a priority, but a “self-full act”.

How much better can we care for the ones we love if we can care for them from a well rested, and healthy place? How much better can we serve others when we first take the time to care and serve ourselves, ensuring a sense of peace, sanity, and well being in our own bodies and minds?

What could you do to implement some more self care into your week?

Maybe it’s eating healthier and moving more. Maybe you could sleep longer and put away your electronic devices at bed time. Maybe you could meditate and practice yoga or take a brisk morning walk. I suggest this week seeking out ways you can fill your cup; so much so, that it overflows and you can easily and gratefully say “My cup runneth over; what’s in the cup is mine and what overflows is yours.”