Happy Memorial Day. We are proud of all of our Veterans out there as well as all of those other who are called to serve. Today we honor those people who have dedicated their lives to service. One thing I want to remind people especially on this day is the difference between service and sacrifice. Far too often we see these words as the same and that comes at a cost. The cost of your own well-being.

Sacrifice is when you suffer while taking care of others. Service is taking care of yourself while taking care of others.

When we stop caring for ourself— for our own needs. We stop nourishing ourself, other than in the most basic of ways. We become so depleted that we go into survival mode — a mode where fear is in charge. And when fear is in charge, there’s no place for love.

You see, if you want to give yourself — to serve — you must have something to give. What you’re told every time you’re on a plane is true. You have to help yourself — put on your own oxygen mask — before you help others with theirs.

Self-care is the starting place for service, because if you want to give your best, you have to be your best. And being your best means your whole self must be nourished. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

So start putting yourself first today. With that big heart of yours, you’re hot-wired to serve. After all, service is what gives your life meaning.

Today we honor those who have committed their life to service by honoring ourself and making sure we take care of our needs first, because in order to serve others at the highest level we must first take care of ourself!

So make sure while you are remembering those who kept you safe to spend some time this day giving yourself some love and reminding yourself that in order to truly serve you must spend some time taking care of you!

Happy Memorial Day!