The Oxygen Mask Theorem
The airlines have it figured out. If people put their own oxygen mask on first, they are then able to support others who haven’t. I think this theorem has applicability across the board.
When I overextend myself, it’s only a matter of time before I resent “taking care of everybody else.” Once my needs are met, supporting others is a grateful outflow – a real “for-ness” – neither obligation nor any strings attached.
The most successful corporate teams I’ve worked with embraced their diversity and focused on their specific goals and attitudes. (emphasizing Attitude!) It wasn’t against other departments; it was for the good of the Company.
Isn’t that the same for countries? We all have GNP, finances, employment, etc. to handle. Each has a unique culture, attitude, goals and challenges. What if we all focused on our own goals and attitudes first, so that we re-present the best within us, then extend that out to others and our country – out of gratitude and partnership? Thriving countries support other countries.
Let’s have some breathing room. This huge rush to judgment that seems to have exploded, not just here in the US, isn’t bringing creativity. It’s like a planetary war has broken out. For now it’s only words. Words precede action. Torching cars, breaking windows. Seriously? What’s next? Let’s get hold of ourselves, get some breath of life and move on. What’s really important to your quality of life right now (and in the future)?
Ann, I appreciate your courage in making this post.
I’ve used the oxygen mask directions many times to reassure myself that it’s not just allowed but imperative that I attend to my own needs if I want to be able to assist anyone else for any length of time. I’m thinking now I might have been a lot more effective if I’d remembered that more often.
Breathing. Working within, then with those of like purpose. Acknowledging our fears and breathing through them, rather than taking on a cloak of anger and judgment in a misguided attempt to protect ourselves and what we hold dear, generating more of what we fear in the process.
“What’s really important to your quality of life right now (and in the future)?” Important question. Getting in touch with that can give us a place to stand, the space to be the calm center in the storm. I believe we all need that now.
It seems to be easier to look down my nose at someone else than to take responsibility for the quality of my own life. At least in the short term – that doesn’t require any real proactivity on my part. Focusing on MY life assumes an accountability that doesn’t'[t seem to have immediate results – more of a long term thing, with no guarantees. When I focus on how “wrong” they are – short term high – AND I don’t have to do ANYthing regarding MY life.
I keep reminding myself again and again and the Lifeshocks keep coming over and over and I keep breathing and breathing again and again!
WOW, what’s next? Another Lifeshock! Thank you, Ann (one more time) Love, Hawk
the lifeshocks never stop … it’s a continual affront to my ego that I don’t get to choose the lifeshocks … I only get to choose to “get it” the way it is and choose my way forward … or throw some kind of tantrum because Life isn’t organizing itself around the way I think it Should Be. I take Mother Theresa’s point of view – she refused to march in an anti-war march, saying that she Would march in a pro-peace march. One is a statement, the other is somewhere along the continuum of a hissy fit to an act of terrorism.