I happened to listen to a friend a few days ago, who shared some of the difficulties that he was going through due to sickness, children facing challenges and demands at work. He wondered, 'I hope I am not slipping into a burnt out stage'!
It was following that conversation, I associated the flowers showing signs of heat exhaustion metaphorically to a state of 'burnt out' state.
The effects of difficulties we face at work place, in family life and relationships do leave us with a silent turbulence within, with questions and reactions. They become 'weighty' and settle down in our inner orientation as a burden. It becomes a feeling of gloom or anxiety which would be the early stage of the 'burnt out' state with a feeling exhaustion or lack of energy or interest to engage in the usual activities. .
The rose flowers which endured the heat had shade for part of the day protecting them from the day long sunlight.
The orchid above was in the shade all the day that it survived the harmful effect of the heat of the day.
The feeling of "burnt out' is a real state psycho-behaviourally that a prompt corrective measure is needed to feel relieved and to overcome the inner ambience of heaviness and loss of vigour or enthusiasm!
A regular de-briefing of personal recollections to identify the stress- giving pathway and consciously unburdening oneself with personal upbuilding activities of rest, relaxation and reaffirming the inner composure to restore wellness will be needed. Often conversation with a confidant will be needed to feel cared for and to receive protection from a lonely feeling. The internal personal conversation, conversation with a confidant and conversation in prayer are pathways for recovery!
The preventive and protective steps to endure stress and yet feel well is the life line for people in situations when situations are more demanding than anticipated. Most of us have a threshold of resilience and endurance. It is when the burdens grow larger than the coping level, the early signs of 'burnt out' experiences set in.
I find monitoring the wellness by using helpful questionnaires every three to four months, aa a useful way to have an audit of my interior state.
If friends with whom we are in touch can alert us when we act or behave differently from the usual, it can help us to take protective measures on time, before slipping into a state of exhaustion emotionally!
It is normal to encounter 'burnt out ' experience. It can give us an opportunity to grow into a greater level of emotional resilience. It reveals to ourselves the vulnerability and risk state we might encounter! That sense of awareness prepares us to protect ourselves and work on restoring emotional wellness and interior comfort level!
The need is to live intimate with ourselves to know the interior canvas of our life and respond thoughtfully and attentively to our different needs.
The peace of well being is the symbol that the flower bunch below conveyed to me while reflecting!
M.C. Mathew. (Text and photo)
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