Catching up, Nov/Dec 2016: My personal retreat and time of self-care at Diani Beach

"We are spiritual beings who need a connection to our Creator in order to feel purposeful and alive. Your soul needs to be nurtured through quiet time, prayer, meditation and reflection."
     ~ Sarita Hartz, A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers

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My aim is to be proactive in setting aside time to intentionally rejuvenate myself. One way of doing that is to spend extended time in God's Word, typically accompanied with a cup of chai. I also love marveling at the beauty of nature through flowers, observing the various fascinating creatures God created, plus watching the sun rise or set as I stroll at the water's edge. These photos are from my two days of solitude at Kenya's Diani Beach, on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Five of the quotes are by Sarita Hartz from her newly released e-Book called A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers. I really connect with her writing because she was also a missionary in East Africa. She's 'been there, done that' in the truest sense and is now passing on her wisdom to others.

"One of the most difficult things about being a missionary, global worker, or humanitarian, is we stop taking care of ourselves. When there are so many responsibilities and other people to help, we let our own care fall by the wayside. Some of us hold the erroneous belief that to care for ourselves when other people are suffering would be selfish."
     ~ Sarita Hartz, A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers

"Self-care is purposely and actively taking time for yourself to do what rejuvenates and energizes you. Healing and caring for ourselves allows more resiliency and resources to give out. Self-care is the first step in creating the life you want and preventing burnout."
     ~ Sarita Hartz, A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers

"Self-care is an act of self-compassion that says we are worthy and deserving of love. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourselves.' The idea is that loving ourselves would come first, and out of that flows love for our neighbor. When you feel good, everyone around you benefits."
     ~ Sarita Hartz, A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers

"Self-care is crucial to preventing burnout and maintaining long-term sustainability on the field. It also increases passion and joy in life and work. Resting is an act of faith because it is saying we can't do it, but God can."
     ~ Sarita Hartz, A Self-Care Plan for Global Workers

“Each of us has to carve out our own rituals without turning self-care into another to do list. Making time every day for something that nourishes our body and soul is the equivalent of brushing your teeth every day.”
     ~ Alessandra Pigni, The Idealist's Survival Kit; 75 Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout

“One of the things I found was the importance of rest and play and the willingness to let go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as my measure of self-worth.”
     ~ Brene Brown, an American scholar, author, and research professor

Whether or not you're a global worker or missionary, what are YOU doing to practice self-care?