The Breath Between
The Breath Between: Restoring Ourselves to Serve — A Journey of Self-Care and Renewal
This service invites us to explore the vital yet often overlooked practice of self-care, focusing on how it serves not only our own well-being but also enhances our capacity to care for others. Through a narrative of indulgence followed by guilt, we reflect on the common human experience of sacrificing our own needs in the name of responsibility. We’ll consider how self-care is not a luxury or indulgence, but a necessary part of our collective responsibility to ourselves and to those we serve.
By embracing rest and renewal, we gain the strength and clarity to live with intention and balance, recognizing that we are worthy of care and compassion—both from ourselves and others. This service reminds us that in order to fulfill our responsibilities, we must first care for the vessel that carries us through life.
Themes and UU Principles Addressed:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person – We are worthy of care, rest, and self-compassion, and these practices are essential for our health and well-being.
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations – True compassion begins with self-compassion, and we cannot fully extend care to others without first caring for ourselves.
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence – Our own well-being contributes to the well-being of the whole, reminding us that caring for ourselves strengthens our ability to engage with the world.
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process – Choosing to prioritize self-care is a conscious and empowering decision, one that affirms our ability to shape our lives and make choices for our health.
Through self-care and renewal, we honor our own inherent worth and fortify ourselves to serve others and live our most intentional lives.
