I have tried a handful of times to teach my students in summer camp about "indoor/outdoor voices". It doesn't work and not just because it doesn't translate well into Hebrew but more importantly it doesn't translate well into the Israeli culture. There is one way to speak in this country and its at the top of your lungs!
Yesterday I experienced a proverbial electrical shortage where my anxiety and ADD ridden brain did not process the Israeli culture I am living in. My brain was also overloaded from a morning full of healthy, boisterous 10 year olds and my own personal stresses. My electrical circuit burst. I behaved and spoke in a way that was for me regrettable in a professional situation. While I am doing much better today, I still haven't fully forgiven myself.
The question arises in me, how do we balance the many facets of our life, mental health and make up, surrounding stresses whether they be personal, cultural, professional...our responsibilities to G-d, our family, our job, our world. And how do we forgive ourselves for being infinitely far away from perfection and getting it right.
I don't have an answer but maybe asking these questions is the first step.
You know how the airlines tell you in their safety instructions to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others? I know when I'm overstressed I don't react the way I would like to. It's really important to make sure your needs are all taken care of so as not to get overdrawn when giving to others. Physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs are all important. I'm not the master of doing this all the time yet, but I'm working on it! Hope this helps!! Feel free to email/message/Skype if you want to talk more! ❤
ReplyDeleteShoshana