Before a commercial airliner
takes off, the flight attendant conducts brief safety training for the
passengers. Invariably, the flight attendant will instruct passengers, in the
event of a loss of cabin pressure and deployment of the oxygen masks, to secure
the passenger’s own mask properly before aiding another passenger, even a small
child. The airlines follow this protocol because without proper self-care, the
passenger may find it impossible to assist anyone else, even a child.
The Golden Rule (love others as
you love yourself) is a common ethical thread in all of the world’s great
religions. Anything more than cursory analysis reveals that a person’s love for
others is no greater than the person’s self-love. Evolutionary biologists
emphasize that genes drive a human, like any other animal, to care for itself.
Religion does not require us to act against our genes; instead, healthy
religion encourages us to love others as we love ourselves. Many scientists
even posit a genetic basis for reciprocal altruism, that is, humans are
hard-wired to love others.
One important implication of
the Golden Rule is that a person must accept help from others. The American
emphasis on individualism and personal responsibility can make this difficult.
Giving assistance is easier than accepting assistance, whether the aid is
financial or a gift of time.
This Lent, you may want to
consider:
·
Do you exercise proper and sufficient self-care?
In what ways might you more fully care for yourself? When should you prioritize
self-care over care for others?
·
Conversely, do you prioritize self over others
in unhealthy, selfish ways?
·
When is it appropriate and healthy to accept
help from others? Do you accept that help? Does your pride diminish your
ability to live a fulfilling, abundant life?
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