Contributed by Bob “Oxygen Man” Rawlins, oxygen user and consultant to CAIRE Inc. ~
So, I am comfortably sitting in a ski lodge looking out at the slopes. Sipping my warm drink of choice and smiling.
I can probably still ski, and I have once or twice in these past four years while on oxygen. Very carefully, I might add, but it was a very rewarding experience. It made me feel normal for that brief few minutes as I was mastering the ski slope, LOL.
The mastering was managing not to fall on the way down. I would not recommend this to anyone unless they have skied before. DON’T take up skiing if you are on oxygen. 😊
So, my good fight here was overcoming the many doubting Thomases in the lodge.
I felt like I could make it happen.
How many times have you thought about quitting anything or being told you couldn’t do something, or it just wasn’t in the cards so to speak?
As I watch some of these skiers out the window, some falling, some having balance issues, some a bit cold or bruised and still getting up and trying.
How do you know who will keep trying and keeping up the good fight?
The ones who are smiling, the ones who are not afraid to ask for help, or the ones who will learn from the better skiers who are willing to help.
Those that are angry, yelling out at others like it is their fault will give up eventually.
Why? It’s not the good fight.
Many are on this same journey I am on in one way or another. Trying to breathe-easy and stay strong enough to do the things in our life that keeps us as normal and positive every day.
Being on oxygen 24/7 is one of those “keep fighting the good fight” scenarios.
If you have not been there it can be a very difficult task at times.
But, like most challenges we face in our lives, these difficult tasks can be easier to face if we recognize the good versus the bad fight.
When things are going well. The sun is generally shining and our “’tude” is in a good place.
Kind of like some of these skiers I’m seeing coming down the slope. They are in a good place. It’s an easy task for some and all downhill – in a good way. 😊
However, we all know it doesn’t work that way all the time.
But, do we try hard enough at getting in that good place mentally when things are difficult?
I will sometimes go to my “Calm” app, a free download that is very good at getting you relaxed.
Find your “happy place.” It can be a quote, a picture, an old memory, or even a new adventure you are looking forward to.
That is keeping up the good fight.
Never lose sight of the prize. Your short-term goals you are trying to accomplish on your journey. Or on your career path for that matter.
Ok, here comes a snowboarder, and there he goes, right on his buttocks as he doesn’t make the proper weight shift on the turn. And he’s back up smiling, with a friend right there to see if he’s ok. They can’t wait to get back on the lift and back up the slope for another run.
Good fight!
Encouragement is everything isn’t it? Always helps the process. In the career climb it can make all the difference in the world. I wish more people in those higher places would just remember that simple trait.
It seems most caregivers have that trait. It must be a prerequisite for their career path. Well, for the good ones they make it a must.
I know, some haven’t totally embraced it, but when push comes to shove, I haven’t seen a caregiver yet that doesn’t offer encouragement.
So, I encourage all of you to keep fighting the good fight. Don’t give up, ever!
You need encouragement? Ask for it, it doesn’t make you a weak person or a needy person, it makes you a very smart person.
The sooner we realize we can’t do much living by ourselves alone!
Until next time!
Breathe-easy
Touch-a-heart
Laugh every day
Love you all,
Coach Bob
Bob Rawlins, 61, of Medina, Ohio, is husband to Terese and father to their 14-year-old triplets, a soccer coach, a hospital volunteer, band dad and chaperone, and marketing guru. He uses a FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator and an eQuinox portable oxygen concentrator for overnight travel.
If you have been prescribed oxygen therapy, learn more about CAIRE by visiting www.caireinc.com/patients or by calling 1-877-704-0878 to talk to an oxygen advisor.
When using any oxygen therapy device please consult the applicable product instructions for use for product indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and detailed safety information.