Put on your oxygen mask first.

I vividly remember my first flight. I was 17. My mom, who is notoriously afraid of flying, and I flew to North Carolina to visit Duke.

My mom was a nervous ball of energy. I, always the student, was oh-so-conscientiously following the flight attendant’s instructions. My eyes were darting between the attendant and the plane manual that she was referencing. I was excited and comfortable.

That is ... until I heard that line about the oxygen mask. You know the one. It’s something like, “Please put on your oxygen mask first before assisting anyone else.”

Do you remember how you felt the first time you heard that?!

I do. I felt … uncomfortable. Selfish. Nervous. Worried. Even scared.

Of course I would help my mom first! How could I help myself and leave her struggling by herself? And then I got it - if I pass out, I’ll be no help to her … or anyone else. I realized, I have to help myself first so that I’m then able to help others.

Putting your oxygen...