Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First
As I settle into my seat at the beginning of each commercial airline flight, I hear a short speech about how to buckle and release my seatbelt, how to use the flotation device in the event of a water landing, and (finally) the importance of putting on my own oxygen mask first, before assisting others.
The instruction to take care of myself first seems selfish, flying in the face of my parental instinct to place my children’s needs ahead of my own. After all, if there isn’t enough food for the entire family, don’t we feed our children first?
So why isn’t it selfish to care for ourselves first in an airplane? Because if you need an oxygen mask and don’t put yours on first, you may not be able to help your children later.
Taking this analogy to a deeper level, aren’t there many times when we should take care of ourselves first? How else will we have enough experience, knowledge, and money to help care for others, and still be there to help out with our grandchildren?
Years ago, a friend, her sister, and her teenage daughter, were swimming in the Pacific Ocean at a beach south of Carmel, California. A sudden wave tumbled the daughter into the open sea. Our friend immediately (and understandably) dove in to save her daughter. Unfortunately she was swept out to sea herself, never to be seen again, while a second wave carried her daughter back onto the shore and safety.
For the past six months I have been walking at least 7,000 steps each day. To achieve this, I am sometimes selfish with how I spend my time. I will occasionally, and abruptly, terminate a conversation with a family member.
“I’ve got to get in 2,000 more steps today,” I say as I quickly stride away.
I am certainly taking care of myself, but I’m also taking care of my family because in putting my own needs first, I will be better able to care for them in the future.
I’m an unrepentant pragmatist. I prefer actions that work. If I’m ever on an airplane and the oxygen mask actually deploys in front of me, you can bet that I’ll put on my mask first, because sometimes taking care of ourselves is the most selfless act any of us can do.
Alan