Do you remember that story in the Bible? The one that spoke about the man who was travelling and was attacked by armed robbers. His own people saw him and passed him by, but a total stranger helped him by sending him to an inn to be catered for. If you do know the story of the good Samaritan, which I learned at Sunday school in my early years, you would probably know the moral lessons that came with it. What about you? Can you be a good Samaritan too? Not a good Samaritan to anyone but a good Samaritan yourself. I make it a responsibility to take this time out to explain to you how you can be a good Samaritan to yourself. So the question how can you be good to yourself? How can you also help yourself?
What Does It Really Mean to Be Your Own Good Samaritan?
When people hear "Good Samaritan," they usually think about helping others. That is good, and there is nothing wrong with it. But then, have you ever thought of it the other way round, being your own Good Samaritan? How do you understand it? Here is what I think: Being your own Good Samaritan means acknowledging when you are wounded, when you are tired and overwhelmed, or stuck, but choosing not to pass by your own pain.
In real life, what many of us do is exactly what the priest and the Levite did in the story. We see how we're struggling on our own, and instead of finding the means to solve them, we walk right past them. We ignore our burnouts, we postpone the rest we want to have, we just keep telling ourselves, "I'll deal with this later. And when the time comes for us to even deal with it, what do we do? We forget.
So, in case you do not know how to be your own Good Samaritan,
Here is how
- It is when you show yourself some compassion instead of criticizing yourself.
- It is when you take responsibility to heal yourself and cherish your well-being like a treasure.
- It is when you make the right choices that protect you both mentally, emotionally, and physically.
- It is when you put that Indian hemp and cigarette away, when you know very well it is affecting your health.
- It is when you stop intoxicating yourself, when you know very well it is destroying a part of you.
That is what being a Good Samaritan to oneself is: it is when you stop putting yourself first before your pleasure and desires.
The question now is
Why Do Most People Struggle to Be Kind to Themselves
From both personal and observed experiences, a lot of people find it very easy to help others rather than to help themselves. It is an experience we all may have encountered, because I have been there too. What do we tend to do? We show up for everyone else, but when it is time to rest or set some boundaries for ourselves, that is when guilt shows up instead.
- Sometimes, I understand that it is due to the goals and dreams we have.
- I also understand that it is because you have a lot on your plate
- And I understand very well that it could also be as a result of not wanting to appear lazy in the views of others.
But it doesn't mean you are lazy or self my dear, it honestly means you love yourself, and you also want the best for yourself.
Practical Ways to Be a Good Samaritan to Yourself
1. Learn to stop and have a good look at the condition you are in.
I have had quite a number of friends who complained bitterly over the phone. Why are you not checking up on me? You don't call me; I am the one who always has to call. Is that supposed to be a concern? Have you finished checking in on yourself? Hello, just like the Samaritan stopped to look at the injured man, you must stop and check in with yourself.
You must regularly ask yourself.
- How am I really feeling today?
- Am I exhausted (tired), am I anxious, or am I overwhelmed?
- What do I need right now? Do I need rest, or do I need support, or do I need to understand something?
2. Your mental health should be one you treat as a priority
Being your own Good Samaritan can also mean taking your own mental health seriously all the time, and not only when things get bad.
- Visit a doctor when you are not in your right mind or thoughts
- Talk to a person whom you trust
- Ask for professional help when you need it.
3. Forgive yourself when you know you are wrong
One of the hardest but also the most powerful acts of self-love is when you forgive yourself for the mistakes. We all make mistakes, and it is not in the right sense to always keep ourselves sad because of it.
What you must do is
- Let go of your past guilt
- Keep learning instead of punishing yourself and crying over spilled milk
- Understand that your growing up is a process.
What it looks like when you are not being a Good Samaritan to yourself
When you are not being a good Samaritan to yourself, it means that
- You have been ignoring your own responsibilities
- You have been excusing behaviours harmful to you
- You live your life without being accountable for it.
Conclusion: Start Where You Are
Start where you are today and be a Good Samaritan to yourself.
- Be cautious of yourself and be careful in your dealings.
- Do not take your personal well-being for granted.
Find more on our blog by reading the following
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