There's a nest high up in a tree. It's a pretty comfortable nest with some soft hay/bedding in it for a bird to come and pass by and get some rest. Blue birds and red robins come by to enjoy a rest on their journeys and then they fly out on their way. They are friendly song birds and they sing and are happy. But then after some time, it starts to fall by the wayside and is not taken care of anymore. It starts to get weary and the once soft hay turns stale and hard...soon only black birds and vultures come by...they use the nest but don't take care of it and make it worse and worse so it is no longer a pleasant place to be....no longer a tranquil haven, but a nightmare...Many years pass by and this continues and it seems like there is no hope...then one day, long after the blue birds and red robins sang there long ago....one day...someone arrives to the nest...
They are shocked at the status of things and they stare in disbelief at the state of the nest...overgrown with weeds and rotting carcasses....They get to work- they clean it out and wash it down, they cut the weeds and plant new rich soil around the base of the tree so flowers can grow...They water the soil and lay down soft new hay into the nest and freshen it with the flowers...
Soon enough, the nest looks fresh and new and the song birds begin visiting again...they enjoy the luxurious soft bedding in the nest and it becomes once again a tranquil place of rest...
It is even better than it was before...once the person returned after years of being away...he had gone on a long trip...but now he was back....
You are the caretaker of that nest. The nest is your life. You need to take care of yourself and put the work in, one step at a time, to care for YOU. Because you are worth it. And your life MATTERS. No matter what you believe in this moment. Your life has purpose and meaning and you can contribute to the world in ways no one else can. You need to find your purpose and what makes you happy. But the first step is to take care of YOU. Get your nest in order.