Operation Oxygen Mask (OOM) Week 14: Making it Through Tough Times

I hope you all enjoyed the meditation we did in the staff meeting this morning. If you weren’t there, we meditated on the idea of “equanimity”, our ability to maintain calmness even in difficult times. In order to do this, I like to ground myself in a seated position, focus on the strength of my spine, and try to recognize that emotions come and go but they do not define who I am. Some people like to repeat the phrase, “strong back, soft front”. Give it a try!

For this week’s Operation Oxygen Mask, I have a list of tips on how to get through difficult times (adapted from somewhere on the internet) from Beth Holland in the Behavioral Health department.

Tips for making it through:

· Observe your self-talk. Start noticing how you talk to yourself. The problem with being negative is that it feeds on itself. Don’t give gloom a chance to grow larger. Start saying, ‘Stop!,” literally, to those negative thoughts, and redirect your self-talk to what’s right in your life, even if the only thing you can think of today is the beautiful evening sunset.

· Serve others. Become a bigger person than you ever thought possible. If you bake, bake for others. If you chop wood, chop wood for others. It will make you feel good in the process, and forge connections with your friends, family, and community.

· Keep the faith. Whatever your spiritual beliefs, whether a traditional religion or a strong connection with nature (or both!), don’t forget that they need tending to. You have to stoke the fire to keep it glowing.

· Be curious. Lifelong learning is the best tonic for staying young at heart. Exchange books with friends and family. Go outside. Explore your environment. Find something you care about, even a little bit, and pursue it.

· Have patience. As the experts keep telling us: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Even marathoners stop at the water stations. Treat yourself kindly with self-care: homemade bread, chocolate chip cookies, a walk in the mountains, whatever makes you feel cared for.

· Get a new mask! After some 7 months of wearing masks, isn’t it time to freshen up your “facial wardrobe” with some new fabric? If you’re handy, you could make one yourself. If not, you could trade with a friend who sews. After all, the best way to make a friend is to ask for a favor, and then return the favor.