My Oxygen Mask First

Cooperation, working together. That is a little song they sing on Sesame Street. It is an important lesson we begin learning when we are young and should continue working on well into old age. People who help other people and who work at being positive instead of negative are much happier than those who turn away and grumble about life.

Today, at school we had an amazing speaker, Nate Ecklund, who reminded us of how important cooperating and encouraging each other is for the adults as well as the children in a school or any workplace really.

The 1 thing he said that really sticks with me is that we need to take care of ourselves first in order to fully be available to others. He reminded us that when in an airplane we learn to place the oxygen mask over our own face in a crisis before assisting a child. In a real emergency or rough time we tend to tend to others and forget that taking care of ourself lesson. We need the oxygen to fully assist others, likewise, we need to be honest with ourselves about our needs before we can take care of others needs.

This has been an important lesson for me. I tend to turn outward to avoid dealing with my own pains. It is a coping mechanism that eventually catches up with me when I completely deplete my emotional reserves.

Today was extremely hard for me. But I put on my oxygen mask and let those who love me take care of me. I set the stage to be able to handle a difficult day in a way that allowed me to make it through. Many tears later, I can honestly say that I am glad I didn't bail on the Meet and Greets of this new school year. So now, though I am emotionally exhausted, I know I took a next step in my grieving process.

In Him,
Joyful
8-12-2010