This is the season of giving, and I swung into full giving mode a while back.

I usually enjoy giving to others.

But today I woke up cranky and irritable.  I’ve been giving so much that I feel drained and worn out.

At times like this, one of my good friends reminds me that Self-Care Is Not Selfish.

Caring for myself is a necessity, like providing gasoline for my car.  I would never try to drive anywhere on an empty tank of gas. What makes me think I can give and give and give to others without resting and replenishing myself with good things?

More importantly, if I don’t love and respect and care for myself, how can I love and respect and care for others?

So, I’m putting the brakes on giving, for a couple of days.  I’m doing things for me, things I’ve been putting off. I called the piano tuner to come and tune my piano so I can enjoy playing Christmas carols again.  I made an appointment to have my hearing aids checked before we go South.  (Really, what’s more important than my being able to hear?)

And, because writing restores me, I’m making sure to take extra time to write, today.

There’s an old song by Stephen Stills called “Love the One You’re With”.

That song is running through my head today.

I spend more time with myself than with any other person on Earth.  Today I’m going to ‘love the one I’m with’:  Me.