Rise in Glow

 

by Dr. J. Bliss

I never realized how important I was

until I imagined myself no longer here.

That moment shifted everything.

I could suddenly smell the roses, feel the breeze with a deeper breath, and sense the truth vibrating at its highest frequency —

I am precious, powerful, and priceless.

Because I’m the only version of me this world will ever know.

I fell in love with the author I am, the editor I am, the educator I am.

And I finally understood that my nurturing nature wasn’t something motherhood gave me — it was always mine.

Motherhood enhanced it, but I was born with it.

Softness didn’t come from who I serve… it was gifted for me to experience first.

Recently, I told my students before spring break:

“Give yourself at least one hour. Just one — that belongs to you.”

I reminded them that one day, they’ll have to parent themselves.

And the small ways they care for themselves now?

That’s practice.

That’s training for the future.

Even in the classroom, I advocate for self-care — because no setting makes it less necessary.

Just before my cycle, I went to get a pedicure. My nail tech asked,

“How do you make time for yourself when you have so much to do?”

I smiled.

Because a few weeks ago, someone had tried to challenge me by saying:

“Well, there are only 24 hours in a day.”

As if I needed the reminder.

As if I didn’t know the cost of trying to pour from an empty body.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

I am worthy of those hours.

Everyone has to figure out how to make time for themselves —

that’s a choice.

And my zero tolerance for self-neglect isn’t just a boundary —

it’s survival.

Prioritizing myself isn’t selfish.

It’s essential.

Paying the light bill is essential.

Keeping car insurance is vital.

So is caring for myself.

I no longer debate that truth.

I no longer delay what’s necessary for my peace.

Society told me it was selfish to focus on myself. That I should be selfless and serve my family first.

But what if I’m the first part of that family?

What if I teach my family by showing them that I matter, too?

The only person responsible for how I value me… is me.

Slowing down to take a child to the doctor? That’s expected.

Slowing down to get the car repaired? Somehow, we make time.

So why wouldn’t I slow down to align my energy,

to listen to my breath,

to feel joy rising in my bones?

God created me meticulously and purposely.

How dare I not take the time to enjoy the details?

I grow and glow by nurturing myself.

The moment I stop watering a plant, it withers.

And I’m not interested in dying.

I’m interested in rising.

Rising as I glow.

Glowing as I flow.

With grace. With power. With softness.