It’s Me or You!

“If needed due to loss of cabin pressure, four oxygen masks will drop from the compartment overhead. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. Although the bag does not inflate, oxygen is flowing to the mask. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it.”

When you think about life from this prospective, it makes perfect sense.
What good am I to you if I am no good at all. How can I effectively help you if I am dying inside?

Some of us struggle to self-preserve because it is our nature to constantly give of ourselves to our friends and families. We give of our money, resources and TIME. And, yes! I capitalized TIME, because too often we do not know the value of it.

They say time is money but it’s a little more than just material things. Time is also energy. Have you ever noticed how drained you feel after certain conversations? Have you ever observed how your mood got worst, you’re more frustrated, you are now “depressed” sometimes you have no idea why… and we find ourselves repeating… Why do I feel like this? Well my selfless friend… you may have deposited some time you weren’t mentally prepared to deal with. You spent time and energy you didn’t have to spare in the first place, because you already had too much on your plate.

Your cabin pressure dropped but you are too busy to notice, you are too busy trying to be “captain save-them-all”; your oxygen mask is dangling before you, all the signs are hinting you to put your mask on, but you refuse to pause for a minute. Your mama needs you, your dying uncle needs you, your cousin who is beyond stressed out with the four children needs you, your significant other needs you, your children needs you, the committee needs you and the list could go on forever… We get it… The world needs you!

But what about you? Do you need you? If the answer is yes, then it is ok to stop for a moment, put your oxygen mask on, extend the plastic tube and allow oxygen to flow in… once you have gained control over your breathing, your emotions, your mind, then you can proceed to being there for others. If you are broken, then you serve yourself nor the people who are depending on you any good.

Take time out to breathe today, go for a long walk, treat yourself to some much-needed alone time to relax and just be one with you.