Primum, cura te ipsum

This past week, I’ve heard the following from colleagues and friends:

“I’m not accomplishing anything. What is the point of it all?”

“I’m supposed to have the day off today, but I’m attending this one important meeting. Is it okay if take the rest of the day after that?”

“I’d planned to be off last week but ended up working a few days. I can’t seem to catch up and I felt so guilty taking vacation when I’m behind on so many things.”
 
There were others, too, but these were the ones I remember most clearly, the most troubling to me. As I spoke with each person, and emphatically assured them of their own value and encouraged them to take some time for themselves, I was saddened again and again at the near despair of my colleagues. I also saw a bit of myself in each of them: these people who are a source of strength for others reaching the end of their own strength and needing a break.
 
At the same time as this was happening, I found a new-to-me blog site and blogger, with some great guidance on these topics. Here are the posts that helped me help them, and also helped myself in no small measure.

---

Read More