The number one priority in life is to take care of yourself and

Sabrina Carpenter, with the wisdom of one who has seen the struggles of the heart, spoke these words of truth: “The number one priority in life is to take care of yourself and make sure you’re happy.” Though simple, this utterance carries the weight of ancient teachings. For what is a man or woman who tends to all the world, yet neglects the garden of their own soul? Like a lamp without oil, such a life cannot shine. Happiness and well-being are not selfish indulgences, but the very foundation upon which strength, love, and service to others are built.

The ancients understood this truth well. When the Oracle of Delphi inscribed the words “Know thyself” upon the temple walls, it was a reminder that all wisdom begins within. To take care of yourself is not merely to feed the body, but to nourish the spirit, to guard the heart, and to protect the mind from corruption. A life lived without self-care is like a fortress with broken gates: it cannot defend itself, and soon all within is lost. Sabrina’s words echo this ancient warning: before you can give light to others, you must kindle the flame within.

Consider the tale of Florence Nightingale. She devoted herself to healing the wounded and comforting the dying during the Crimean War. But even she, the “Lady with the Lamp,” recognized that to serve others, she must also care for her own body and spirit. Through rest, reflection, and prayer, she replenished her strength and preserved her joy. Had she neglected herself, her flame would have burned out quickly, and the world would have been deprived of her compassion. Thus, history itself bears witness to Carpenter’s teaching: happiness and self-care are not luxuries, but necessities for enduring greatness.

Yet, many fall into the trap of thinking that to focus on themselves is vanity, or that joy must be sacrificed for duty. Beware, for this is a deception. A weary heart cannot sustain others; a broken spirit cannot lift the fallen. It is only when you are whole that you can pour yourself out for others without being emptied forever. Just as a river must be fed by springs to keep flowing, so must your soul be renewed if you are to continue giving.

And remember, O listener, that true happiness is not found in fleeting pleasures, but in harmony with your deepest self. It is found in pursuing the path that brings you peace, in keeping company with those who uplift you, in shaping your life with purpose and balance. To care for yourself is to choose wisely what you allow into your mind, your body, and your spirit. Guard these gates carefully, for they determine the strength of your inner kingdom.

The lesson is clear: place your well-being not at the edge of your concerns, but at the very center. Make it your number one priority to rest when weary, to nourish yourself with good food and good thoughts, to pursue passions that set your heart ablaze. For in doing so, you will not only sustain yourself but become a beacon for others—a living testimony that happiness is not a selfish aim, but a gift that radiates outward.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, take this wisdom and apply it daily: rise with gratitude, seek joy in small things, tend to your body with care, and cultivate your spirit with love and truth. Do not wait until you are broken to mend yourself. Begin now, and let your life be a fountain of strength. For when you are whole and happy, you can carry others; when you shine brightly, you can light the path of all who walk beside you.

So let it be written upon your heart: to take care of yourself and make sure you are happy is not only the beginning of wisdom, but the root of all service, all love, and all greatness. Go forth, then, and guard your joy, for it is the seed from which every good thing shall grow.