Don't Stop Sewing, Don't Stop Living

I had an odd conversation today about (of all things) thimbles in the comments section of a YouTube video. The person I was speaking with mentioned they use some rather unconventional sewing methods and I just had to chuckle. I too have used those same unconventional methods in the past.

However, as time goes on, I find myself using thimbles more often as a small form of self-care, helping to spare my fingers and hands so I can continue doing something I love. My partner in this conversation found it admirable that I hadn't stopped sewing despite my struggles. However, the thought of giving that up just because it's difficult had never crossed my mind before as an option. My response is what prompted this post:

Thank you. I don't get to do it as often as I would like to, but I'm not one to let adversity force me to give up something I love. I'm sure, even when I'm old and gray, I'll still find a way to do things I enjoy. If things make us happy and cause no harm to others, then we should keep doing so. Enjoying life, doing what we love and taking care of ourselves by doing so helps bring joy into a world that sometimes has precious little of it.

The conversation wrapped up soon afterwards, but one of the last things he mentioned stuck with me. He told me that my words had brought joy into his world and it just struck me. Sometimes, the smallest things we do make a bigger difference than anyone can foresee. We live in a chaotic, fast-paced, ever-changing world that not only encourages people to burn the candle at both ends, but praises them for doing so. This same society then wonders why that person has nothing left to give. The world needs more joy, love and self-peace, but it's often a bleak world. Those struggling the most to see the light at the end of the darkness are too often lost because the support just isn't there to the extent that it needs to be.

For many, they try to bring joy to the world by caring for their family, building their business, forming relationships, and nourishing the life they've built for themselves. However, those same people who give everything of themselves to build a life for others, are also the ones who are overwhelmed, over-scheduled, and having difficulty prioritizing what matters most to them. What they first cared so much about frequently comes to consume their life. Over time, more and more of the happiness they built fades away as they lose sight of what is important in their life. Too commonly there is little work put into their personal relationships and even less, if any, self-care and self-love.

"You cannot pour from an empty cup." Which bears repeating again, and again, and again. Say it with me this time: You cannot pour from an empty cup. Beyond what you are doing for others, what are you doing to bring joy into your own life? It's near impossible to share that joy and inner light with others if you have lost it in yourself. What are you doing to care for yourself?

Today, this moment even, please find one thing you can do that makes you joyful, that brings happiness and peace into your life. It could be as simple as using a thimble to spare your fingers and hands when sewing. No matter how small that one thing is, caring for yourself first is the most important thing you could ever do.