"It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so 'don't fuss, dear; get on with it.'" -Audrey Hepburn
I came upon this quote by chance the other day, and, feeling inspired, I decided to post it as a status on Facebook. I got several different comments as a result. Some agreeing, some not. I must say, I agree with both.
How, you ask?
Well, if you are curious, I was also raised in such a way. We were taught that any job worth doing was worth doing well. There are times when you do need to suck it up and continue on, to make the best of every situation and to work and do my part.
But I was also taught to take care of myself. It was a lesson that continued on into adulthood and into my own years of motherhood. As I stressed and fussed over feeding and taking care of a baby. My own mother pointed out that as I was the baby's only source of nourishment, if I had nothing to give, then the baby would go without. And then again when I felt stressed to my last nerve over an incessantly crying baby, my mother's wonderful words of wisdom, "You are no good to that baby if you are exhausted and strung out." She then encouraged me to put him down and take a walk. I took that advice, and upon returning from my walk I was able to calmly assess and comfort my child in a way I couldn't have before.
You see, a lot of this life IS about helping others. I defy most people who would disagree with me. Most occupations involve interactions with other people, whether you are a mother, teacher, repairman, telemarketer, businessman/woman etc., you find yourself in contact with others. Why not look to make their days better? To speak a little kinder on the phone or smile a little wider upon meeting?
And on top of that, when we see our fellows struggling, what is so wrong about offering that helping hand to ease someone else's burdens? The world would be quite a different place if we all had that in our minds.
And then there is that fine line between helping others and hindering yourself. Where is it? When does offering a helping hand take too much away from you? From your family? How can you continue to offer of yourself when the storehouse has been depleted to almost nothing?
There is a wise scripture, in essence saying to give of yourself, but not to "run faster than you have strength." The same idea was given on Facebook of "putting the oxygen mask on yourself," before helping others with theirs. Both are valid points.
So what is my conclusion? DO think of others before yourself, but recognize when it is time to step back and replenish.
