Recently, as I was having lunch with some friends, one shared an interesting story. I asked if I could tell the world and she said fine...So here goes:
Not long ago a girlfriend of hers boarded a flight...
to somewhere...
for something...
at sometime...
Sorry, not part of the story just goofing off...
'cos I can...
It's my blog...
you're just visiting...
OK, sorry, I'll stop messing around...
Anyway, she boarded a plane and right before take off the stewardess stepped forward to demonstrate the use of the oxygen mask.
She explains that one is to don the oxygen before assisting other family members or passengers with this task...
Common sense...Right??? Are you kidding???
Although this is undoubtedly the right thing to do, what good are you to anyone if you're all passed out...
I can't think of a mother alive that would not rush to care for their loved ones first...
It's what we do...
Investigate the things that go bump in the night...
Fight the proverbial monster under the bed,
Feed and clean grimy little faces and bodies,
Kiss and hug those same little urchins,
Check the homework,
Wash the clothes,
Clean the house,
Work in the yard,
Make appointments,
Chauffeur everyone,
Everywhere,
For all time...
So moms of the world
STOP!!!
Put that oxygen mask on...
Take a great big whiff of fresh air...
Come on now...
It's for your own good...
Someday you'll thank me.
BREATHE...
BREATHE IN...
BREATHE OUT...
LOOK AROUND...
REALLY SEE YOURSELF...
BREATHE IN...
BREATHE OUT...
APPRECIATE YOUR WORLD....
THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU...
BREATHE IN...
YOU HAVE THIS MOMENT...
IT IS YOURS!
BREATHE OUT...
FOR ONCE,
JUST FOR ONCE,
TAKE A MOMENT,
READ A POEM,
(Reach for those reading glasses, girls)
SAY A PRAYER,
(Now I lay me down to sleep, oh, sorry, just in the spirit here...)
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND FEEL THE SUN ON YOUR FACE,
(OK, maybe that wasn't such a good one 'cos it's hot as hades outside and you're libel to get 3rd degree burns...)
MELT INTO A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING...
(Really, these days that shouldn't be that hard...)
TAP YOUR TOES TO A TUNE...
(I know you don't like aerobic exercise but try it...seriously)
ESCAPE...
(I have tried this; it's harder than you think)
JUST BREATHE...
OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD IS DEPENDING ON US!!!
Not long ago a girlfriend of hers boarded a flight...
to somewhere...
for something...
at sometime...
Sorry, not part of the story just goofing off...
'cos I can...
It's my blog...
you're just visiting...
OK, sorry, I'll stop messing around...
Anyway, she boarded a plane and right before take off the stewardess stepped forward to demonstrate the use of the oxygen mask.
She explains that one is to don the oxygen before assisting other family members or passengers with this task...
Common sense...Right??? Are you kidding???
Although this is undoubtedly the right thing to do, what good are you to anyone if you're all passed out...
I can't think of a mother alive that would not rush to care for their loved ones first...
It's what we do...
Investigate the things that go bump in the night...
Fight the proverbial monster under the bed,
Feed and clean grimy little faces and bodies,
Kiss and hug those same little urchins,
Check the homework,
Wash the clothes,
Clean the house,
Work in the yard,
Make appointments,Chauffeur everyone,
Everywhere,
For all time...
So moms of the world
STOP!!!
Put that oxygen mask on...
Take a great big whiff of fresh air...
Come on now...
It's for your own good...
Someday you'll thank me.
BREATHE...
BREATHE IN...
BREATHE OUT...
LOOK AROUND...
REALLY SEE YOURSELF...
BREATHE IN...
BREATHE OUT...
APPRECIATE YOUR WORLD....
THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU...
BREATHE IN...
YOU HAVE THIS MOMENT...
IT IS YOURS!
BREATHE OUT...
FOR ONCE,
JUST FOR ONCE,
TAKE A MOMENT,
READ A POEM,
(Reach for those reading glasses, girls)
SAY A PRAYER,
(Now I lay me down to sleep, oh, sorry, just in the spirit here...)
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND FEEL THE SUN ON YOUR FACE,
(OK, maybe that wasn't such a good one 'cos it's hot as hades outside and you're libel to get 3rd degree burns...)
MELT INTO A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING...
(Really, these days that shouldn't be that hard...)
TAP YOUR TOES TO A TUNE...
(I know you don't like aerobic exercise but try it...seriously)
ESCAPE...
(I have tried this; it's harder than you think)
JUST BREATHE...
OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD IS DEPENDING ON US!!!
Deanna, this is the best post you could give to every Mom in the world. I actually use this in a seminar that I teach. No one can fully give to others, by helping without putting the O2 mask on themselves first.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, we have taught or have been taught that taking care of ourselves first is selfish, when indeed it is the only way to do it properly, including the children!
And I like that little witty goofing off you did at the beginning!
Thank you, Sharon, I guess I was feeling my oats today...
ReplyDeleteIsn't it true we've learned to feel selfish when we take time out for ourselves? Great analogy. I just want to breathe in the fresh, sweet air and slowly exhale all worry and care. (oops, that rhymed and I didn't know it... hahaha)
ReplyDeleteGREAT advice! I like your analogy to the oxygen mask...it is very true--we do need to look after ourselves or how can we look after everyone else???
ReplyDeletePowerful stuff, this. True. True. True.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. . . great analogy!! As mom' we seldom remember to take that minute. And as a nurse (as you probably know) we forget about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteCan't tell you how many shifts I have done where at the end of the shift, I realize I haven't even stopped to go to the bathroom in the last 12+ hours.
This is totally work reposting periodically.
I would have done it because I can only think of myself before anyone else.
ReplyDeletethat's totally selfish. and bad.