Put Your Own Mask On First!

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, over the next few weeks we are going to specifically take the time to Encourage, Honor and Celebrate the women in our lives!!

I have special friends and guests lined up to share wisdom, hope and love. It is all of our desires that The Word, the testimonies and the stories will strengthen your faith, your relationships, your homes and your journeys.

Several years ago at a ladies conference, I had the wonderful privilege to meet and work alongside an amazing speaker and author named Dondi Scumaci. Besides being drawn to her unique name, I was impressed with her captivating confidence and her passion that is full of His power and might!

Dondi Scumaci, is an international speaker, author, and an expert in professional and personal development. She is well known for her high energy on the platform and for the dramatic results that her seminars and ladies events inspire!

Her seminars and events have made a positive and lasting impact on many...including myself!

We are so glad you stopped by today and hope you will encourage your Mother's, Daughter's, Sister's, Girlfriend's and Mentor's to join us over the next several weeks as we Celebrate all of them in our lives!!

Leave us a comment or question and be entered for a chance to win a copy of one of Dondi's books!!

Be Inspired,

Vern

It is with great joy that I introduce to you today my guest & friend ~ Dondi Scumaci!!


Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First!

With Special Blogging Guest:
Dondi Scumaci, Author of Designed for Success and Ready, Set…Grow

Women can be very good at taking care of others. Many of us have a nurturing gene hardwired right into our DNA. And women are strong. When you combine these two elements, the result is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Beautiful because of the difference we can make in the lives of others. Heartbreaking when we forget to take care of ourselves in the process.

But selflessness is a good thing, right? Yes and no. Like anything, if it is overdone or under managed it will begin to undo us. If we do not include ourselves in the list of people we take care of, we will soon be running on empty.

Empty includes energy, clarity, creativity….and what the heck, we might just as well insert all the gifts of the spirit here. Empty. Poured out. Dry. That is heartbreaking. (Trust me, I've been there, and I'm betting you can relate.)

Empty is not attractive (or heroic). It looks tired and worn. Empty sounds impatient and resentful. No, empty is not pretty or dynamic or effective.

To illustrate "empty," I often use the airline safety demonstration. (I travel a great deal and I've memorized that little speech.) The flight attendant goes through a list of do's and don'ts and "in case of emergencies" at the beginning of each flight. Pointing here and there, the exits are highlighted and we learn how to buckle our seat belts. Then she comes to the part about "sudden cabin pressure changes". We try not to imagine what that might be like as she demonstrates "putting your own oxygen mask on first." For the longest time I got stuck right there.

Put my own mask on first? (Sounds pretty selfish to me.)

I'd like think of myself as the person slapping masks on others before taking care of myself. I'm good in a crisis. (I imagined myself running through the cabin securing masks on young and old alike.) It bothered me enough to ask about it, and this is what I learned. If I don't put my own mask on first, I WILL PASS OUT IN 30 SECONDS. If that happens I can't help others and I am now in the way! Then I understood these ground rules:

I cannot give what I do not have and that means I must take time to restore.

I must give my permission to take care of myself and I must not call that selfish.

I must set boundaries and learn how to say, "No" without feeling guilty.

If I fail to set boundaries and others take advantage of me, I am responsible for the damage.

I must be careful about what I "put in" and "take on," because these are things that will shape my life and my ability to serve.

I encourage you to "put on your own mask" today. Give yourself permission to take care of you, so that you can pour yourself into the life of others and never run dry.

You were Designed for Success and Built to Grow!

Dondi


For more information or to check out Dondi's blog visit her website at -
http://www.dondiscumaci.com/

We would also like to invite you to join us at this upcoming event!

MAY 14, 2009
7:00 pm
Cornerstone Church
Dondi will be speaking and signing books in the Church Chapel.