Are We Not Supermen
Looking for special things inside
Listening to Superman by Five For Fighting this morning. The line 'I'm just a man in a silly red sheet' is really striking a chord.
We all have a lot on our shoulders. Sometimes, it's just our own baggage. The detritus of life and being an adult. Sometimes... it's more. That weight can also be a lot of other people's decisions and problems. Their responsibility becomes yours in the form of their well-being as counselor, teacher or caretaker.
Personally, I suck at it. And maybe you do too.
Did you grow up desiring to care for the emotional and spiritual well-being of others? With the exception of longing to be a parent, I’m guessing the answer is no. Wouldn’t you much rather just be a writer or an artist, dancer, or musician? Using those energies to exorcise your demons instead of caging them.
At heart, I’m guessing you are a ditch-digger. A button-pusher. A door-opener. Not the guy who tells others to lay down on the couch, but the guy who delivers the couch. Up 8 flights of tight, twisting stairs if needed. Like you though, in a moment of need, i can arise to any occasion.
The problem: people perceive that as ability.
And so the loads keep coming and the couch stays full and the needs never stop. Then one day, you're wearing the red cape and have the letter on your chest and you realize you're nothing but a damned imposter and you just can't do it anymore. You've given and given and given and given and given.
You are all given out.
More than an a bird and a plane. No longer able to symbolize the hero they all need. You can't carry them.., or really even ambulate, much less fly.
This is what burnout looks like.
If you drive a car long enough without maintaining it, you will find its components will progressively fail until the vehicle either no longer functions or it becomes a catastrophic liability. Think brake failure.
Burnout is like that.
A cursory examination says everything is fine. A catastrophic experience is only one intersection away.
You reach a point where you understand your function, but you just cannot do the thing you should be doing. You press yourself and where every other time you delivered, now you are just empty.
Take care of yourself. Listen to the warning signs. You aren't any good to anyone (especially yourself) if you let it go too far. And too far is where the walls exist. Very, very solid walls.
Though, it might be pretty good for the art.
A friend's words echo in my mind... 'schedule regular breaks and opportunities for refreshment or your body (and mind) will force it.’
Discuss...
