(BlackDocotor.org) -- You have the best intentions to take care of yourself, right? But invariably something gets in the way--the demands on a sistah never cease!

Now more than ever, you must learn to set yourself as a priority. To pace yourself--to avoid being overloaded, overwhelmed, overtired, and overlooked. Preserving your most precious resource--your health--is a responsibility that only you can do for yourself. And without good health, everything else falters. How do you do this? Decide!

Decide that this will be the last time you say "Yes" when you really want to say "No!" Decide that you'll step away from the drama, rather than letting it engulf you. Decide that you'll explore a new direction rather than settling for the same old path. Decide you'll embrace your own thoughts, instead of worrying about the opinions of others. Decide that you'll put yourself first, recognizing that if yours isn't tight, nothing else will be right.

This year, as you sit down at the Thanksgiving table, give prayers of appreciation not only for what you have, but who you are--a beautiful expression of the Divine. Living from that internal well-spring of wisdom is the source of the greatest power you can experience. Decide that you will believe in the unbounded power of you. Decide to honor this resource in yourself. The joy you'll feel inside as a result will nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Ashe!

By Jacci Thompson-Dodd, MA, MSSS, BDO Contributing Writer

Contact Information:

Jacci Thompson-Dodd, MA, MSSS
(Master of Arts in African American Studies and Master of
Science in Social Service)

P.O. Box 95276
Seattle, WA  98145-2276

(206) 290-5624

jacci@wespeakloudly.com, business e-mail
jaccitd@yahoo.com, personal e-mail
Website: www.wespeakloudly.com
Blog: www.wespeakloudly.wordpress.com

“WHOLE: 12 Principles for Rebuilding Life after Breast Cancer”: http://www.wespeakloudly.com/products.html

Jacci Thompson-Dodd, MA, MSSS is a health educator, author, healthcare consultant, and founder of WeSpeakLoudly, a leading provider of women’s health and wellness tools created especially for African American women and girls. To learn more, visit www.wespeakloudly.com.