Rescuing happens when recognizing the value of that which is in danger outweighs being a bystander. I think of the First Responders such as law enforcement, firefighters, our men and women in uniform and many others that stand in the front lines to help. Thank you for First Responders!
Who rescues those who quietly are in danger, in danger of losing themselves to drugs, alcohol, suicide, to an unhealthy relationship, to not being able to say no, to loneliness, to food, to hopelessness? You name the addiction and or the affliction? I wonder what do you see when you look in the mirror or are you like an acquaintance I knew who had not mirrors in their home because they couldn’t stand to look at themselves. I wonder who will rescue us if we don’t start the process of rescuing ourselves.
Far too often the courage to rescue ourselves doesn’t come until we hit the proverbial rock bottom. What keeps us living in this silent danger? Fear? Shame? Guilt? Repeated disappointment? Pride? I have heard people say, “Well the Bible says God helps those who help themselves.” As a Biblical Study major the Bible does not say that-just to set that record straight. However a point can be made that until “those” recognize they are in danger they cannot find the resources to help them out of the danger.
Rescuing Self
It takes courage to be a First Responder. It takes courage in being a First Responder for Yourself. I want to tell you that YOU HAVE VALUE AND THAT YOU MATTER. No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress has been you are still way ahead of those who have stopped trying or those who have never tried.
Rescuing yourself first starts by finding that mirror and looking courageously into the mirror and asking yourself: What do I see? When you get the answer no matter the answer offer yourself compassion. You have been resilient regardless of life’s curve balls (Baseball season just started). Don’t give up on yourself. Remember when you…….and if you haven’t….. remember what you dreamed of doing. Rescuing starts when you recognize value in the object that is in danger.
A nine year old client shared with me how they thought going to therapy was for crazy people. “I’m not crazy. I heard some adults say that. I am not crazy. I needed help with the sadness inside of me because my dad died.” That nine year has started rescue process. You can too….
Carpe Diem,
Gloria