My life took a profound turn thirty years ago when I encountered a twelve-year-old girl living on the streets of Los Angeles. That moment sparked a lifelong dedication to service, a path that seemed quite noble and selfless. But, beneath the surface, service can carry a hidden cost.
In my quest to uplift others, I sacrificed my own well-being. A few years ago, I reached a breaking point, realizing I had given my fire away, leaving none for myself. I realized that I had come to believe that it was my duty, and the duty of those around me, to save the world.
However, I’ve come to understand that the world doesn’t need saving. What it truly needs is for each of us to cherish and love our own lives first. To love ourselves deeply and become the first responders in our lives, learning to be there for ourselves.
The world wants our awe. It calls for us to appreciate the twists and turns, to feel the pain of loss and the beauty of love – every bit of it. To taste the bitter as much as the sweet. To feel and appreciate all of it.
I may not know God or remember how to pray, but I know how to hope and how to sit under a tree, appreciating the coolness of its shade. I’ve learned much about loving people, especially those different from me. Now, I am learning to truly love myself. To let my flaws bask in the sunlight and see their beauty. To create my own shade when the sun is harsh. To be there for myself and embrace every part of who I am, who I’ve been and who I am becoming.
Wade Trimmer is the President of The Change Reaction and leads a dynamic team that is committed to redistributing wealth to those in need. changereaction.org
For Every Jewel There is a Question:
In what ways are you your own first responder?
