Balancing Serving Others and Self

The family, the company, the community certainly can take precedence in our lives. Others need our time, our energy, our money and/or our resources and we can gladly give to them. And, how can we serve others and ourselves at the same time to ensure the best personal and professional health is quite often a balancing act.

One of the best times to help me to serve others and still serve me is when I traveling by air. Yes, any type of travel is often a challenge and especially when traveling by air. Unless we are the pilot when we are flying someone else has the opportunity to serve us. My favorite way to start each flight is to look and listen when the flight attendant gives the safety instructions. I have discovered this is the time to connect with opportunities to really enjoy the flight.

My favorite way to start each flight is the safety instruction time. Did you ever notice how many people suddenly become interested with their newspapers, books or any other distraction, just so they don't have to look at the flight attendant and listen to the instructions? The attendant, on the other hand, is trying to get our attention. They have been assigned the extremely important job of providing us with instructions to ensure our safety. Our responsibility is to give our attention with a nod, a smile and a glance at the safety instructions and good old fashion respect. Now rapport is built and a relationship established. Even the toughest flight attendant eventually tells me at least their name and always gives me a smile. It's a wonderful experience.

The second opportunity at this time, is the reminder regarding how to use the Oxygen (O2) mask. The instruction is to apply the O2 mask to yourself first and then help the person or child next to you. All too often we give to others first our time, money, energy. Then, disaster strikes and we both are destroyed. The other person because their resources are gone - we are tapped out. And we have not taken care of ourselves first and so there is nothing in left in reserve. This simple instruction has become a wonderful reminder to me. Always put the O2 mask on yourself first.

Treating the other person in any situation with respect and interest, gives them what they need. Putting the oxygen mask on ourselves first gives us the respect and interest that we need. When we serve others and ourselves it is a wonderful balancing act.