We put fuel in our vehicles. We do regular maintenance, including oil
changes, tire rotations, and tune ups.
We keep them clean and work hard to keep them in good running order. And when they have problems, we fix them. We take care of our inanimate objects, in
large part because they do something for us and we don’t want the expense of
replacing them.
We work multiple jobs, say yes to every request,
clean the house, chauffer the kids, cook the food, volunteer for anything, tend
to our spouses…then we break. We become
frazzled and frustrated. We burn out and
shut down or become angry.
Why do we take better care of THINGS than of this
irreplaceable body God has given us? I
am going to give you something most people need but will never give
themselves. I give you PERMISSION.
I give you permission to say no. I give you permission to have a date
night. I give you permission to need
help and not be superman or superwoman.
I give you permission to take a nap.
I give you permission to go to bed before midnight. I give you permission to exercise. I give you permission to sit down with a good
book for a few minutes, even if other things “need” to be done.
Most people have flown. On every flight, there are preliminary
instructions given. One of them is “If
you are traveling with a small child or someone needing assistance, put on your
own oxygen mask first, then help them.” Every. Single. Flight. And yet, we do
not take care of our mental and physical needs on a day to day basis. I’m not saying neglect or shirk your
responsibilities.
But what I am saying is this…figure out what matters
and why. Does your job matter because
you couldn’t otherwise eat? Fine. Do it
well. Does your job matter because you
find personal fulfillment? Fine, commit wholly to it. Does your job matter because someone told you
it should but you hate it and the income doesn’t actually justify the strain it
puts on you and your family? Walk away from it. Instead of saying yes to every PTA committee
and opportunity, say yes to the one that means something to you, that you feel
you have something really great to offer.
Kid driving you crazy? Okay, you
can’t necessarily walk away from that.
But you can take a short break.
Find a drop-in daycare, friend, family member, spouse to give you an
hour or three of a break. Forget why you
married your spouse? Don’t walk away…Remember.
Rekindle. Kids sleep at some
point. Even if you’re broke…you can curl
up for a couple of hours and listen to the radio or tell each other your
favorite childhood movie. Reconnect.
Prioritize.
And know that it is okay to take care of yourself. Not only is it okay, it’s a Federal Regulation
(when you’re flying, at least…) So take
a deep breath, remember that no one is an island, no one is invincible, and no
one can be all things to all people. Nor
should they be. Hey, even Superman had
needs and struggles and weaknesses. So fall
on grace, even from yourself. And
remember – you are worth more than your car so take better care of yourself
than your vehicle.
