Take Care of You

"I will take care of me for you, if you will take care of you for me."

This quote by Jim Rohn, a respected speaker and author in personal development, has become one of my favorites. It flips the traditional idea of mutual care on its head, not in a selfish way, but in a profoundly responsible and empowering way.

Rohn used to say, "If you take care of me, I'll take care of you." That sounds nice on the surface, but it sets us up for dependence and, often, disappointment. What if the other person can't or won't take care of us? Are we then left untended, depleted, or resentful?

Instead, Rohn evolved his thinking and wisely reframed the idea: "I will take care of me for you, if you will take care of you for me." This philosophy emphasizes that the greatest gift we can give one another is our own personal development. When I care for my emotional health, body, mindset, and needs, I show up stronger, clearer, and more present for the people I love.

A couple I once worked with were stuck in a frustrating loop. He felt overwhelmed trying to meet all her emotional needs, and she felt abandoned when he pulled away. In our work together, they began to see how they were expecting the other to "fix" what only they could tend to themselves. She started journaling, meditating, and identifying her own inner stories. He committed to therapy and regular exercise to manage his stress and reactivity.

As each began taking better care of themselves, the dynamic shifted. Arguments lessened. Connection deepened. They began showing up not as needy versions of themselves but as whole people, able to give, receive, and grow together.

This week, consider what it means to take care of yourself, not just for yourself but as a gift to those you care about. It's not selfish. It's wise. It's love in one of its most mature forms.

Watch for the blind spots.

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