How often do you find yourself saying, "I can't believe s/he is taking it so hard." We, as human beings, often judge the pain or trauma of others based on our own experiences, tolerances and expectations.
I read this article, from the New York Times, this week and it opened several conversations in our home on judgment, depression, ethics and compassion. I will warn you the article has some graphic descriptions and content of a crime scene. It is not meant for younger readers, in my opinion, or those who might otherwise be sensitive to such material.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/nyregion/25chimp.html?emc=eta1
The next time you find yourself judging another's pain or trauma, I encourage you to step back and reexamine your own reaction. Then, try to remind yourself that each of us react differently to different stimuli. We have unique experiences, skill sets, feelings and vulnerabilities. If you care for the person, you should try hard to NOT judge their pain or reaction, but work hard to support them in ways you may know how or ways you learn to. Also, encourage anyone who is having a particularly hard time coping with any situation to contact their EAP (employee assistance programs), a crisis center, or therapist for a consultation.
Showing posts with label crisis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crisis. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, June 26, 2009
An Icon Dead at 50? Lessons Learned the Hard Way
What can we learn from Michael Jackson's death?
Well, after grieving the loss of a pop start that defined most of my youth (and likely yours); I encourage you to look at your own life for threats of crisis.
I was in shock when my husband delivered the news to me. (I frequently review the New York Times (online version) each day and listen to NPR, mostly in the car. But, on this sad day I was listening to an audio book in my kitchen preparing dinner.) Within minutes I said to him, “A heart attack at 50! He seemed to be in good shape! I want you and I to take better care of ourselves. I couldn’t imagine losing you at 50.”
The very real possibility of a youthful death entered my mind. I thought about his kids. I thought about what if I would have children and then die young or have my husband do the same. It was eerie.
The autopsy hasn’t been released yet. We don’t know what caused his cardiac arrest. However, we do know what causes them to happen to anyone….. heart disease, stress, using certain drugs, cigarette smoking and exposure to extreme cold. (See linked site above as a reference.)
Are you at risk? If so, do something about it today. You owe it to yourself and your family.
No one should have to lose a loved one at the age of 50. It’s hard enough at 85. But, 50 simply feels like a terrible injustice, particularly to a man billions of people had once loved.
Well, after grieving the loss of a pop start that defined most of my youth (and likely yours); I encourage you to look at your own life for threats of crisis.
I was in shock when my husband delivered the news to me. (I frequently review the New York Times (online version) each day and listen to NPR, mostly in the car. But, on this sad day I was listening to an audio book in my kitchen preparing dinner.) Within minutes I said to him, “A heart attack at 50! He seemed to be in good shape! I want you and I to take better care of ourselves. I couldn’t imagine losing you at 50.”
The very real possibility of a youthful death entered my mind. I thought about his kids. I thought about what if I would have children and then die young or have my husband do the same. It was eerie.
The autopsy hasn’t been released yet. We don’t know what caused his cardiac arrest. However, we do know what causes them to happen to anyone….. heart disease, stress, using certain drugs, cigarette smoking and exposure to extreme cold. (See linked site above as a reference.)
Are you at risk? If so, do something about it today. You owe it to yourself and your family.
No one should have to lose a loved one at the age of 50. It’s hard enough at 85. But, 50 simply feels like a terrible injustice, particularly to a man billions of people had once loved.
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