Brother's Keeper - Jet Lag -

I recently read:

We are –            

each of us is –
our brother’s and sister’s keeper.

The goal is
to reflect on all this –            
to carry out all this –
with            
tolerance and            
encouragement. 

Helen Dunbar Flanders

I've had chronic jet lag since coming home from England, and - I'm leaving again on May 7 for 10 days. I've been worried, not necessarily having jet lag when I get to Holland, but it's the return that gives me cause to mourn. 

I knew this past week was going to be tough - jumping right off the plane and into 40 hours of hospital work and 10 hours of last week of class was on the docket for me, and I figured I'd push through. 

And I did, and I'm healthy, and yet the past couple of days have worn me down, and I slept 9 1/2 hours last night. And boy, what a difference some deep sleep makes. 
Because of my jet lag, I pushed through the week, but I don't think I was able to live through the week. I was mostly available, and that meant to those who really needed me, not those who wanted me. In fact, they've had to push through the week with me!

I've helped others, automatically, but I have not been the best brother's keeper, because my self-care has been limited. I really don't like existing - pushing through the day to day without a single moment to pause. I NEED to pause; I need rest, a moment of peace, time for contemplation. I want to be present, not semi-asleep! 

We are each a helper and a helpee. And in caring for ourselves we are then capable of caring for the other - with tolerance and encouragement.