To fix a broken system, elements of that system must be repaired or replaced in order to operate satisfactorily. Like a broken jar shattered on the floor, do you ever feel like you are broken to pieces you don’t recognize? Heck, who hasn’t? Whether we are cognizant of it or not, we need fixing and constant tweaking for the restoration of our mind, body, and spirit. Yet how do we conduct these repairs before we set sail for the day?
There are simple and doable tools we can use before we begin sinking faster than the Titanic. These tools include exercise, good nutrition, relaxation, social connectedness, and sleep. When we are deprived of these elements, our system will flash a warning of impending danger that will indicate when something isn’t operating right, is terribly wrong, and needs to be fixed.

The hurriedness, the busyness, the stress widening the gap of absence, estrangement, and loneliness are fixable elements, as substantial as they sound. Just like checklists aid in preventing accidents on ships from unwanted incidents, we can benefit from a frequent self-checkup…a reconditioning…a refurbishing. Can we revive our sense of renewal, get supercharged, and get on the anointed path of where we should be headed? Yet, we must recognize we can hold on to things we don’t want to correct because it’s too comfortable to walk away from, and so we choose to remain where we are. Those things can drown us.

Pull out your toolkit, and every now and then, utilize your gadgets (Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Social, Spiritual, Environmental, and Occupational devices) to repair and strengthen those areas that feel like they are falling apart or disintegrating. These tools act as your lifejacket…your lifeline to survival. What would you store in your self-care toolkit? Is there a tool you feel you need to pull out today to fix a few issues?