If there’s one thing I learned while working over a decade in health insurance, it’s that you can never use enough random acronyms. So H.E.L.P. today is not a cry for assistance, but rather a declaration about Honoring Every Little Piece of one’s self.

When’s the last time you took the time to slow down and look at the person staring back at you in the mirror?

As a mom, I am constantly second guessing everything I do…every…single…second.

Did I wake up early enough to help my kids get ready or did I fall into the pattern of yelling at them to hurry up? Did I kiss my husband goodbye or choose to rattle off a laundry list of activities we need to get done instead? Did I put my best foot forward at work and feel like I contributed to the company’s goals or did I mentally wander off and struggle to remain focused? Did I call my parents to remind them how much I love them? Did I tell my friends how much they mean to me? Did I forget to schedule doctor appointments AGAIN?

I am willing to bet that everyone who reads this post can relate to the feeling of being pulled in many directions.

I can also guarantee I’m not the only one who feels a sense of guilt anytime I slow down and concentrate on only myself.

Yet this time of self-absorbency is so needed.

When you fail to recognize and cherish what you individually bring to the world, it is easy to be soaked up by the needs of others. It is not a purely selfish motive to concentrate on yourself; it is an essential practice to be the best you can be for those whom rely on you.

This idea to Honor Every Little Piece of yourself and recognize what it is that makes you YOU is not new, nor is it easy.

I made my list yesterday. I challenge you to start yours today. It may take minutes. It may take days. Trust me…you’ll be happy you did it.

My H.E.L.P. List (who I am)…

believer  animal lover  fitness enthusiast  caregiver  my dog’s best friend  leader  follower  role model  emotional  life of the party  someone who rarely parties  unbiased  loud  sleep lover  imperfect  yearning to learn  second-guesser  afraid  fearless  writer  challenge seeker easily annoyed  faithful  reliable  random  beautiful  plain  determined  hopeful  struggling goal setter  grateful  confident  strong  weak  predictable  devoted  fueled by others  dreamer

Created by Heidi Woodard