Opinion: Make yourself a priority this year
- Alyson Bear | February 04, 2018
I have decided 2018 will be about self-care. I no longer drink and do my best to stay away from risky situations that may harm me, but that does not mean I am genuinely taking care of my well-being, physically, emotionally, mentally and most importantly, spiritually. Being a mother of two little ones running around with what feels like being a chicken with my head cut off from one mess to the other, to cooking and cleaning breakfast to dinner and changing diapers, and trying to keep up with being the best the mom I can be.
To being a full-time law student and having what is a nearly impossible and endless reading list for my classes and running from class to class and staying on top of assignments and all the social events that comes with law school. I sometimes find myself cutting myself short on eating healthy or finding the time to eat a healthy meal, or making it to the gym or yoga or finding a way to take care of myself in all areas so I can keep trucking. Also trying to make time for ceremony is very important for the new year, my community, other family and doing my own research on my own time.
I started the new year on a sad note and with the passing of my grandfather and it has been very unfortunate that many of my grandparents have passed away in the past few years. This only proves the fact that we are all getting older and that our elders need us to be there for them as they were always there for us.
It just goes to show many of our language speakers and traditional knowledge keepers are getting old and passing away and it is vital to our people, society and our identity that we do not lose who we are completely. With so many troubling issues still on the rise with overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples incarcerated, MMIWG, the child-welfare system continuing to take more of our children from their homes and families, and poverty and addiction still cycling in our communities, there is still much work to be done this year.
Not all is lost and there are still many people who are taking their place as warriors and caretakers of our Mother Earth. Now is not the time for giving up or looking the other way. Now is the time to stand tall and proud for what you believe in and continue ending stereotypes and taking care of ourselves as we would want for our children so we can begin to help one another, our families and communities.
It is not easy trying to help those who do not want to help themselves but it is essential to do what we can so that we can continue celebrating every year to come with triumphs and taking steps forwards rather than backwards. It is essential for all of our children and those to come.
Do not lose hope. We are still here with our ancestor’s blood running through our veins like the rivers of mother earth, modern day warriors, learning and unlearning our colonized settler-society to find who we are once again and regain our balance. Remember our roots and the deep meaningful insight that comes with it. This year is about self-care because if you do not take care of yourself how can you take care of anyone else or live to your full potential. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year.