Who Breathes First?

Have you ever been on a plane? Do you remember as you taxi down the runway the flight attendant's safety explanation? They let you know where the emergency exits are, inform you that your seats can be used as a floatation device, discuss the seat belts, and tell you that should the cabin loss pressure an oxygen mask will fall and instruct you on how to put it on. Now I want you to envision that you are sitting in the middle between two of the most important people in your life, who, for whatever reason are unable to use their hands...say they both have two broken hands. As you are flying to your destination, the plane hits turbulence, the cabin loses pressure and the oxygen masks fall. Who do you place the oxygen mask on first? Tough question? The answer is yourself. If you are unable to breathe, you will be unable to assist the people sitting on either side of you.

I have retold this scenario today, as I have been reminded about the importance of personal self-care in our daily lives. On occasion, I know that I, personally, have gotten so involved in something or so wrapped up trying to get things done, that I have been lax in my own personal self care. This scenario reminds us of how important taking care of yourself is. In the story, if you are so worried about the people sitting next to you that you attempt to place the oxygen mask on them first, then you might pass out due to lack of oxygen, and then who will assist them? This is true in our daily lives, when we get so wrapped up in everything outside of ourselves and we don't take the time out to care for ourselves, we can begin to feel frustrated, run down, depressed, possibly irritable or moody. This is not to say don't do things for other people, it is simply to remind us to make sure we take care of our needs so that we are able to be there for others.

There are a number of things you can engage in, in order to take care of yourself. Engage in a hobby, take a bubble bath, exercise, whatever it is, make sure it is something that you enjoy that is not stress producing. Remember if you are running on empty it won't be long before you will run out of gas, let alone be unable to help those around you. A little bit of "you time" daily or weekly will go a long way in filling up your tank (soul).