It's all about lines. The Romans said 'nothing to excess', right? I'm inclined to agree with them. A certain amount of self-denial while helping others in need is reasonable and honorable; but if you don't look after yourself, you're not going to be able to continue helping anyone. And sometimes that means stepping back, saying no, and being selfish a little bit.
And the Egyptians felt that health required balancing the needs of the self, the community, and the cosmos; if any were to be neglected, the entire thing would go rotten and cease to function.
I've used the oxygen mask metaphor for a long time. On airplanes, safety instructions say to adjust one's own mask before helping children or other people. If I don't adjust my own mask, I pass out, and I can't help anyone else. If I take care of my own needs first, I'm much better able to help others.
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jay
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Date: 2004-04-16 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-16 08:15 pm (UTC)And the Egyptians felt that health required balancing the needs of the self, the community, and the cosmos; if any were to be neglected, the entire thing would go rotten and cease to function.
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Date: 2004-04-16 08:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-16 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-19 03:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-21 08:34 am (UTC)