What fills your bucket? What brings you joy? What enlivens and nourishes your spirit?
CFS has a nasty habit of draining our bucket, our spirit, our joie de vivre.
But we can fight back.
We can seek and identify the things in life that fill our bucket, and in doing so we can maintain and enhance the energy to fight another day and enjoy the current one.
Many things fill my bucket.
Recently I was on holiday at the beach.
So many things in that environment fill my bucket – the fresh sea air, the sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean, the sand under my feet, the relaxation I get from being away from home.
But I don’t need to be on holiday to fill my bucket (although I do recommend it if possible!).
Home-Based Bucket Fillers
At home I have many bucket-filling techniques.
Music is a major one.
Listening to my favourite radio program is another (Richard Stubbs, 774 ABC Melbourne if you’re interested).
Then there’s my favourite comedy shows on TV (currently Modern Family, but I have many).
Of course, as mentioned previously, my enriching relationships with family and friends are another major bucket filler for me, as is being in nature (the lake in my town is a favourite) and exercising (gentle walks, yoga, gentle gym weights sessions).
I somewhat guiltily admit certain foods and drink are bucket fillers too, though not always the healthiest of choices.
But sometimes my sugary Chai tea at the end of the day is my little gift to myself that gives me a cheerful boost.
A massage is always a great boost to my mind, body and spirit, and, of course, my hot baths are my other big bucket filler.
So, tell me, what are yours?
Or if you don’t want to tell ME, tell yourself.
Take some time to do a little bucket-filler inventory.
We can sometimes be led to believe such things are luxuries or treats to feel guilty about (see Chai tea reference above!) but we all need things that boost us and make life worth living.
Everything in moderation is my motto.
And if you’re dealing with daily illness and pain, you need even more nurturing spiritual, mental and quasi-physical “hugs”.
If we only ever take from our bucket, eventually it will be totally empty.
So fill your bucket a little every day – and while you’re at it, help to fill someone else’s too.
Smiles are free, but can be the best bucket fillers ever – for the giver and the receiver!
Tell me what you think below in the comments section! 🙂
Keep Smiling 🙂
Louise
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