When flight attendants narrate the safety procedures before a take-off, no matter how many times I’ve heard it, I always make a point of listening to the part about putting on your oxygen mask before helping someone else with theirs.
Hearing this for the first time in your life, the idea of placing your own needs before those of others–especially a child or a loved one–goes against all that we’ve been taught about aiding others. Of course, the point is that if YOU can breathe, only then are you able to help someone else with his or her mask.
That directive is bigger than just in-flight safety. Personally, I signify it my clarion call to be vigilant about looking after the most important person in my life: me.
You’ve got to look out for number one.
In an age of Facebook, selfies, Tweets, Instagram and other components that exemplify society’s burdening penchant for self-involvement, the “…number one” decree sounds rather typical. Selfish, even.
However, drop the “ish” off “selfish” and what you’re left with is self. Truth is, if you don’t look out for number one, you can’t help numbers two and three. In that regard, looking out for number one is the act of selflessness.
How many times have you wished you could influence someone or a situation in a positive way, but were unable to because of the state of your own affairs?
The need isn’t always financial. The S.O.S. is often of an emotional nature–a yearn for an insightful word of encouragement; the wish for an ear willing to listen. But because you yourself are in such a mess, you can’t contribute in a meaningful way. In order to be of service to others, what is wholly required is first taking care of self.
However, if you’re not taking time out to feed yourself or to rest; if you’re putting your own needs on the back burner, you’re diminishing yourself in ways beyond advancement on the gig: you’re sending a signal to your psyche that work is more important than you.
Say you’re great at giving prudent life advice. Cool, but if the one listening hardest isn’t you, that’s not good.
Looking out for number one is not about personal greed. It’s simply about you first looking after yourself. Emotionally, it’s about being honest about what you see in the proverbial mirror. By refusing to face certain details of your life, you disable your ability to change for the better.
If you’re not following your doctor’s orders, you’re not looking out for number one. If you’re not exercising, you’re not helping you.
However, when the first person to whom you give is yourself–and you share that love with others, then what began as looking out for number one, manifests itself in more ways than you can measure.
Who said one is a lonely number?
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