A pair of acrobats were preparing for an act that consisted
of the senior man balancing a tall bamboo pole on his head while the little
girl climbed slowly to the top. Once on the top, she would remain there while
the man walked along the ground. Both performers had to maintain complete focus
and balance in order to prevent injury.
The senior told the junior: 'Let’s watch each other, so
that we can help each other maintain focus and balance and prevent accident.' But
the little girl disagreed, 'Sir, I think it would be better for each of us to
watch ourselves. By doing so, we can ensure that one does not fumble and
compromise on the other’s safety.'
Taking care of yourself is the
most important thing you can do to take care of others. So often, so many of us
focus on helping the other and ignore our self and crucial needs. While our
intention may be good, when we lose sight of self, we lose control. When we
lose control, we endanger the other.
When you fly on an airplane, the flight attendant instructs you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. If you run out of oxygen, you can't help anyone else with their oxygen mask. You must watch yourself before
you watch others. Indeed it is about being mindful.
When you nourish your mind and
body, you are in a better position to treat others with more compassion and
create a positive impact on the world around you. There is no division in taking
care of yourself (in a spiritual sense, not in a material context) and taking
care of others. You must watch yourself first to fulfil the onus of the other.
Watch yourself first to truly focus
That’s the way to balance the onus!
~ Pravin K Sabnis
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