Despite hearing advice on taking time for ourselves, putting ourselves first and the like,
how many of us actually do it? Do it without any guilt? The truth is that if our own
personal well is dry we literally have nothing to give to anyone else.

We all remember reading The Giving Tree as kids. Parents & grandparents spent countless bedtimes reading over and over again the wonderful story of the gracious and giving tree that gave all it ever had to those in need. But by the end, the once mighty and bountiful tree was reduced to a mere stump having shed all its offerings.
 
There is a wise lesson here for parents in general, but especially for us parents raising children with bipolar disorder.  Don't become a stump.
 
Despite hearing advice on taking time for ourselves, putting ourselves first and the like, how many of us actually do it?  Do it without any guilt?  The truth is that if our own personal well is dry we literally have nothing to give to anyone else.
 
Corporate leadership experts have found that the successful and effective leaders, or resonant leaders, have one thing in common: They all take time to recharge, no matter how full their plate. The best CEOs understand that if they continue to burn the candle at both ends for too long, they will no longer be any good for the employees, shareholders or customers.
 
Why don't we take time to fill our well back up? No time? More important things crop up? Perhaps. But remember that if you are running on empty you will less able to meet the needs of your children, family or work place. While you think you are managing to do it all on no sleep, living on Red Bull, juggling seven different outside commitments and cutting health corners will catch up with you. It always does. The human body is just not cut out for 24/7/365 use without downtime and maintenence. If we can get our cars to Jiffy Lube every three months, we certainly can get ourselves a massage or an afternoon away from the daily chaos in our lives.
 
So, find even four minutes every day (yes, I said every) to remember who you were before the madness hit your life, before kids, marriage, work. Think about what brings you joy and re-connect to that. Call that friend you've been meaning to. Treat yourself to a pedicure. Take a nap. Finish that book you started last winter.  Linger over a second cup of coffee. Whatever it is, DO IT. It's as important to your health as drinking water. And as with any brief vacation, you actually look forward to coming home.