{"id":1736,"date":"2022-04-26T15:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T20:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/?p=1736"},"modified":"2022-04-18T10:01:22","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18T15:01:22","slug":"putting-on-our-own-oxygen-masks-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/2022\/04\/26\/putting-on-our-own-oxygen-masks-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting on Our Own Oxygen Masks First"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strengthening the Foundations of Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical Health<\/strong><\/p>\n

Written by Greg Schmill<\/em><\/p>\n

The Plane
\n<\/strong>I imagine most of us have been there. We are sitting on a plane waiting for take-off and half-listening to the flight attendant\u2019s speech. Then we hear the familiar statement, \u201cIn case of an emergency, put on your own oxygen mask first<\/strong> before you try to help others.\u201d<\/p>\n

We understand that makes sense. It will be impossible to help others if we have blacked out due to oxygen starvation. But we\u2019ve heard that speech before and it barely registers, and who knows how we would respond in a true emergency. In the midst of the turbulence, would we remember to put on our masks first, despite the clear reminder?<\/p>\n

The Encouragement
\n<\/strong>Today, I would like you to allow me to play the role of that flight attendant and remind you to put on your spiritual, emotional, and physical masks<\/strong> first<\/strong>. In reality, all of us in education are flying through life surrounded by people about whom we care deeply\u2014our students, our coworkers, our family, and our friends. And we are definitely experiencing turbulence. How are we doing? Are we breathing deeply from the spiritual oxygen of God\u2019s Word? Are we taking time to be refreshed emotionally? Are we able to serve others with great energy that comes from good physical health and wellness?<\/p>\n

Or are we trying to help and serve others while gasping for breath? Are we constantly stressed out, burned out, sleep-deprived, and even angry, all the while wondering why teaching and leadership are so tough?<\/p>\n

As we leave one area of turbulence and move forward into the next one, it is a good time for all of us as educators and leaders to do all we can to strengthen our spiritual, emotional, and physical health and resiliency<\/strong> by practicing some basics of self-care. But how can we do that when life is so full of turbulence, and duties, and complexities, and so much more?<\/p>\n

The START
\n<\/strong>The answer would be to S.T.A.R.T<\/strong>., as in . . .<\/p>\n

S<\/u><\/strong>chedule
\nT<\/u><\/strong>he
\nA<\/u><\/strong>ction
\nR<\/u><\/strong>equired
\nT<\/u><\/strong>oday.<\/p>\n

Make the \u201coxygen-mask\u201d commitment now, and then S.T.A.R.T.<\/strong><\/p>\n