There’s a fine line between accommodating another’s schedule and keeping sanity in my own. I had my day planned: meeting Joe for lunch followed by walking to a local golf tournament. THEN my hair stylist called asking me if she could move my 3:00 appointment up to 1:00 because her earlier appointment had cancelled. Without blinking an eye, I mentally rearranged my schedule in my head: I’d grab some lunch on my own and meet her at 1:00. When I announced my change of plans Joe asked, “what about OUR plans?” So quickly I discarded “My” and “Our” plans to meet the needs of another. I would have felt the pangs of guilt had I not rearranged my day to help her out. Watching out for myself first would have seemed selfish. Being a “brother guilt sponge” himself, Joe understood my dilemma. I read something the other day that shed some light on taking care of yourself first. Recalling the flight attendant’s admonition on takeoff, “In case of emergency, first put your own oxygen mask on, and then take care of your children.” You can’t help others unless you take care yourself first. Many “guilt sponges” like myself resist the idea to put themselves first. We were taught to put others’ needs above our own. Once again, the decision is not “right” or “wrong” it’s a choice we make along our way shaping our journey.
