We’re about to get into that time of the year that is very happy for some and very, very sad for others. The time of the year where many of us will want to help others get through it. That’s a very admirable trait, unless you forget about taking care of yourself too. Too often we keep saying things like “I’ll be fine” or “I’m good” when we know good and well that we’re not. The need to help others is so big in fact, that many times we focus so intently on others even though we know it’s to our own detriment.

So what are supposed to do, we need to help these people, right? Think of it this way…I call it the “Airplane Effect.” On a plane, the flight attendant during the safety speech always says “If you’re traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, place the mask over your nose first.” Why? Because if you don’t take care of yourself first, something bad might happen to both you and them! This makes so much sense to us while we’re on the plane but somehow, as soon as we step off and into our regular routine we focus all of our attention on helping someone else and completely forget about taking care of ourselves. Just answer this…Would you be able to give better advise, to understand more, to see more signals that might be being sent out and/or to facilitate more if you took better care of yourself? Of course you would! More sleep, more prayer or meditation, better nutrition or maybe just eating at all, as opposed to not eating (which is often common) all fall into the “taking better care of yourself” category.

The drive to help others is amazing and commendable. It’s one way we can all make the world a better place. Make sure though, that you’re not causing yourself a problem where down the line, someone just might have to take care of you. “I’m not indestructible” is a mantra we can all benefit from telling ourselves. Give yourself the same advise you’d give to someone someone else.
So…..

Take care of yourself so you can take care of them.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of them.

PEACE

…..Gregg