“Self-care is never a selfish act; it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.” – Parker Palmer

As she walked out the door, my friend Gloria said, “What would we do without our friends?” Three of us enjoyed a great lunch together and precious time to catch up. All three of us were going through a similar challenges and were surprised to learn that the others were experiencing the same.

There is a tendency to keep things to ourselves. We can minimize what we are experiencing and don’t want to bother anyone with our problems. Sometimes there are feelings of shame or guilt and it feels too vulnerable to share them out loud. The fear of rejection alone can keep us from connecting with others.

No doubt about it, reaching out takes courage. But the benefits far outweigh the fear. Friends can offer words of comfort, can listen without judgement and be physically present when we are going through something tough. Friends can help us build confidence when we are doubting ourselves. Friends help us be our best selves.

Reaching out to others is self-care. You are worth the time and energy. You are loved and appreciated more than you know. Summon your faith and courage and connect with a friend this week. Send a text and say hi. Or arrange for coffee time or a lunch. Be willing to receive. You will be so glad you did.