My Supports
No one is an island... we develop in the context of relationships... we have heard these a couple of times before and I bet no one will disagree. We all need supports, emotionally, practically, physically and even spiritually.As soon as I open my eyes in the morning until I close them at night I encounter different supports that I sometimes take for granted. It feels good to take some time to really look and appreciate all the supports I receive every single moment of my day.
The first support I need and receive first thing in the morning is spiritual in nature. I try to do quiet time and my devotions every morning. Communing with God and reading His Word gives me strength, wisdom and guidance throughout the day. I have discovered that when I do not start the day right with God I become easily frazzled, less patient and indecisive. This then becomes an essential and the most important support in my life.
The next supports I encounter are emotional, I receive kisses and hugs from my husband and son and I think it will be hard to live without these. They are also the ones who take care of me, encourage me and give me the reason to become a better person.
Also, since we live just next door to my mom's house where most of my siblings still live, I get to have a great support system. I can just go next door if I needed someone to talk to or help me. They not only provide emotional support but in terms of practical things and physical needs. When I was on complete bed rest last week, they would come by after work and be with me and even helped out by preparing food and caring for my son. They did errands for me that I could not do especially if I had to pay bills outside the house, etc. When I got rushed to the hospital my sister even came home from work early just to help me and accompany me until my husband could arrive from work while my other brother helped out in my work and my other sister looked after my son. I am thankful that God comforts me by sending my support system each time I needed it and even when I don't. I do not know how I could have survived last week and this week (or even my whole life for that matter) without them.
For this exercise I chose to explore and imagine having to move to another country as a challenge. If this was to happen I would truly be a new experience for me. Filipinos are generally clannish and we usually grow up with big families all very close together. Moving to another country far from them will be heartbreaking. To survive, I will need to prepare for the move well, practically I need to learn about the country and the culture I will be living in. Simple things like getting a map, reading about them and talking to people in that country will be helpful. Financially preparing for the move should also be done. Lists of things to be brought and processes to go through should also be done. Maximizing the magic jack, skype, emails, and other social networks to stay in touch with my family will be extra helpful.
Without the other supports I am used to now, I will have difficulties adjusting, I will have to look for other people to help me out. It will be a feat but with God with me, I will never be alone. And this experience will "force" me to build new support systems. After this experience I will have more support than now, who would not want that, right?
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 7:20 PM
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