Self-Charity Is Your Spiritual Responsibility

Charity truly begins at home. To be truly charitable to others, we must first be kind and generous to ourselves.

Whether we view “charity” as giving alms to the poor, showing kindness to strangers, or extending non-judgment in times of questionable behavior, it is imperative that we first take care of our own needs. Why? Because we cannot freely and easily give to others what we have not given to ourselves.

Our true nature as incarnated spirit beings is to be loving, kind, and giving. However, it is our spiritual duty to take care of ourselves first so that we can offer more to others and make a real difference in the world.

Self-charity, or prioritizing our own needs before helping others, involves several key components.

Self-awareness is critical, requiring regular self-reflection and mindfulness to stay in tune with our mental, emotional, and physical states. Prioritizing self-care through activities such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga is essential.

Mindful time management helps balance work, rest, and play, ensuring we don’t overcommit and have enough downtime to recharge.

Emotional management is essential and includes healthy ways to process and express emotions, such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend or therapist, or engaging in creative activities. Setting boundaries, learning to say no, and protecting our time, energy, and resources help us manage our lives effectively. Seeking support when needed, whether from friends, family, or professionals, ensures that we don’t carry burdens alone.

You cannot get poor enough to help poor people thrive or sick enough to help sick people get well. You only ever uplift from your position of strength and clarity and alignment ~ Abraham-Hicks

Engaging in spiritual practices that nourish our soul, such as prayer, meditation, nature walks, or other resonant rituals, nourishes our inner being. Personal growth through continuous learning, setting and working toward personal goals, and surrounding ourselves with supportive, positive people who respect our boundaries and lift our spirits enhances our well-being. Above all, self-compassion, being kind to ourselves, recognizing our efforts, and not being overly critical or harsh, is fundamental.

Self-charity begins with self-compassion. We tend to be our own worst critics, often finding fault with ourselves, especially when we fall short of the high expectations we set for ourselves. This relentless self-criticism can undermine our self-esteem and well-being, making it difficult to genuinely care for others. By practicing self-compassion, we learn to treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding that we extend to our loved ones.

Recognizing our imperfections and mistakes as part of the human experience, and forgiving ourselves rather than dwelling on our shortcomings, allows us to nurture our inner selves, fostering a healthier mindset and a more balanced life. Only by taking care of our own needs and well-being can we truly be present and supportive of others.

Think compassion. Be kind to yourself. There will always be setbacks and failures in everyone’s life journey, not all of which are necessarily of your own making or under your control. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Think flexibility. Give yourself a break. Find alternative schedules or processes instead of beating yourself up. Think tolerance. No matter how hard you try, there will be times when you slip into bad habits. Give yourself another chance to turn things around.

Think of love. Be happy with your lot in life. Strive to improve as you wish, but surround yourself with love and appreciation for all your efforts so far. It is okay to love yourself first. In fact, it is imperative. Only then can you move forward with unlimited love for others.

Go out and lead the world; but never forget to begin by leading yourself first at home. You can’t lead the environment if you can’t lead yourself in it ~ Israelmore Ayivor

When you are satisfied with the strong foundation and sense of balance you have begun to build in your own life, you can expand. Go the extra mile. Give the extra money. Feed the extra mouths. Spend the extra time. You will be bursting with excitement about the positive contributions you can make to others, and you will not feel exhausted when you do it. Visualize the ultimate impact you want to make. Whether you want to focus on a small, specific activity or become a more significant presence in the world, your options are limitless.

Do your research first. Choose your currency well. Will it be time or money, or perhaps a combination of the two? Do not overburden yourself with commitments you cannot keep. As you grow, the little things will add up and become much bigger success stories.

In the meantime, you can start right now by practicing tolerance. Be less judgmental of yourself and others. Be less harsh when it comes to everyday disagreements or criticism. Be more open to seeing both sides of an issue. Understand that perspective changes everything and that everyone has a unique perspective based on past personal experiences in life.

We realize this can be challenging, but often there is no real need to speak up at all. Choose to be more tolerant in your heart and more giving in your mind. Soon you will see small changes in your life and in the lives of others around you. Day by day you will see successes grow and change. Feel the growing warmth and satisfaction of a life well lived in love. Notice also how often it is returned to you in various forms, from family, friends, and strangers alike. Above all, keep dreaming bigger.