| Over the years, I have heard many people say, “I would die for my family.” |
| It is a statement usually spoken with sincerity and love. It reflects a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for those who matter most. Yet lately, I have found myself wondering whether there is a more important question we should ask. |
| Would we live for our family? |
| Would we exercise for our family? |
| Would we eat healthy food for our family? |
| Would we get enough sleep for our family? |
| Would we care for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for our family? |
| Many of us are willing to imagine a dramatic act of sacrifice. Yet we struggle with the simple daily disciplines that allow us to remain healthy, present, and available to those we love. |
| The truth is that we were created to live, not to die. |
| Dying will eventually happen to all of us. We do not need to rush towards it by neglecting ourselves. Nor do we need to become martyrs for our families, especially when our sacrifices often go unnoticed or unappreciated. What our loved ones need most is not a hero who slowly burns themselves out. They need a healthy, balanced, and present human being who can walk alongside them through life. |
| I understand this lesson because I had to learn it the hard way. |
| For many years, I worked too hard and carried too much responsibility. I spent a great deal of my life trying to save people who depended on me. While my intentions were sincere, I often failed to care for myself in the process. The cost was significant. My physical health suffered. My emotional health suffered. And perhaps most importantly, I gradually lost touch with my own needs and well-being. |
| Eventually, I realised that helping others should not require abandoning ourselves. |
| When I began taking better care of my own health, creating healthier boundaries, and making space for rest and renewal, something surprising happened. Life became better not only for me, but also for the people around me. I had more energy, more patience, more clarity, and more genuine love to offer. |
| This new moon, I invite you to reflect on a simple question: |
| What would it look like if you chose to live for the people you love rather than slowly die for them? |
| Perhaps the greatest gift we can offer our families is not our sacrifice, but our vitality. |
| Namaste! |
| Dr Kausthub Desikachar, PhD The Viniyoga Tradition |
| New Moon - 15 June 2026 |