Rescue Mode/Live It!

A rescue is generally proceeded by a call.
The phone rings at Emergency Services. The operator does a quick interview to find out what the needs are. The order goes out to those that need to respond.

Now imagine that happening in your head. It's a different way of looking at life, other people and ourselves.

Make a decision that you want to help others. Then set up an Emergency Services HQ in your head. The call happens when you see someone close to you that's in need. Could be a friend who's sick. Could be a stranger that's fallen on hard times. Could be a family member that needs some advice.

It involves being alert to what others are experiencing in their lives. If you're like me, that takes practice. I tend to be oblivious to what's happening around me and it has taken a while to create this mindset of being on the watch for people hurting. When you see a need, that's your invitation to get involved.

Find out what the needs are. Depending on who you're helping, you may need to be discreet. And also, the help doesn't have to be announced. An anonymous gift of help can be the best option. The thanks you receive is seeing someone blessed in the middle of trouble.

By the way, I imagine firemen, policemen and EMS attendants do get thanks, but they don't do what they do for the thanks. They do it because they've chosen a profession that can be significant in the lives of others. It's a great attitude to take through life.

In the midst of all this, don't forget the hidden blessing. Relationship is the best part of being human. As men, we tend to have that John Wayne concept of helping. Storm in like a hero, ride off into the sunset. There's a better way. Use the opportunity to create deeper relationships--friendships. They will pay dividends in unexpected ways.

And finally, consider the fact that you may be the one in need at some point. People that you've helped in the past will reciprocate. Be ready to accept that help. It's part of the give and take flow of life. In ways unexplainable, you are helping others when you accept help from them.

Take care. And be careful out there.

Rescue Mode/Go Deep

Making a difference in other people's lives.
What would need to change about my life so I'd be ready, able, and willing to jump in when someone needs help?

When I look back at my brother's experience as a life guard, I see three distinctives that contributed to his ability to spot danger and successfully intervene:

• There's preparation and practice. Before being certified as a lifeguard, my brother took a lot of courses, practiced techniques in the pool, and passed a lot of tests that qualified him for the position. He was prepared to recognize dangers and respond properly.


• There's a watchful eye that is ever-alert to the warning signs of danger. Have you seen lifeguards scour the landscape at poolside? They are intent on finding any issues before they become critical. (They also take breaks from time-to-time in order to be able to concentrate when they are on duty.)


• There's a willingness to act. Once the danger has been spotted, there can't be any hesitation. Acting quickly to intervene can make all the difference. Years after my brother's lifeguard experience, that willingness to act was still part of his makeup. He was in a restaurant with his family and a baby at the next table began choking. The parents started to panic. My brother asked to help, put the baby into the proper position to clear his throat passage. The obstruction was removed and the baby was fine. I marvel not just at the knowledge and experience that came into play at that moment, but my brother's willingness to step into an uncomfortable, emotionally charged situation involving strangers. Yet, the parents were so glad he did.

So, if I'm looking to be a person who stands ready to help others, there are some conscious moves I can make to be prepared and to have the proper mindset.

When we see people in need, at times, we don't intervene because we wouldn't know what to do if we did. At other times, we just don't have our radar up--we're self-absorbed or simply don't have an eye out for signs of trouble. And then at other times, when we do see someone in need, we just can't overcome a sense of discomfort with intervening in another person's life.

All three are areas we can address and change. Imagine what you can do and let's compare notes on Friday.

Rescue Mode/Think About It

Are you like me?
I hear the word "rescue" and I think of the brave men who rushed into the World Trade Center on 9-11. Or, the soldiers who entered enemy territory in Iraq to free their comrade. Or the EMS ambulance driver that drove through a busy intersection on his way to treat a heart attack victim.

I think of my father who saved a man's life using CPR. I think of my brother who, as a lifeguard, pulled a drowning boy from the pool and resuscitated him.

But I don't think of me. Sitting behind a desk most of the day, I can hear the sirens of fire engines responding to a call and I wonder where they're headed and who is hurting. But I don't tend to think of myself in the role of rescuer.

I want to change that.

One mindset that has to change for me is that not everyone that needs rescuing needs a policeman, fireman, or an EMS crew. The walking wounded are all around us. But either we're too absorbed in our own lives to notice, or we just haven't trained ourselves to see the hurt in the world around us.

What would happen if I began to see myself as a person who could make a difference in other people's lives? How would I walk through life differently? What would change?

What about you?

More Expensive than Gas/Live It!

See, perspective does help.
The high price of gas doesn't seem nearly so excessive when you consider the costly messes we sometimes get ourselves into.

So, in the cause of relieving mental distress, here are even more things that will cost you more than gas:

• Believing a politician when he says, "I represent change." (The only change a politician is really looking for is more power shifting his way--which necessarily requires power shifting away from you. Watch your wallet.)
• Choosing a bride on national television as the star of a reality show. ("So, you want to find your forever bride? Here's a plan. Let's have a dozen women you've never met compete over you for 13 weeks. We'll put them under pressure on national TV and eliminate them one at a time. Throw in some alcohol, hot tubs, and a few cat fights. Last one standing is your life mate!" So, what's the plan when the cameras turn off?)
• Thinking that an affair can be kept secret. (I believe that's been tried recently by no less than three prominent New York governmental officials. Re-election prospects--even in New York--aren't looking good.)
• Scheduling a hunting trip during the two-week window when your daughter is expecting the birth of a child. (Only attempt this if you happen to like the view from above the fireplace mantel, which is where your wife will mount what's left of you. Deer meat just doesn't taste that good.)
• Taking a used car salesman at his word when he says, "Hey, I'm takin' a bath here!" (Uh huh. Line up all the used car salesmen in the world head-to-toe and what do you get? Chances are it won't be a straight line.)

Hope you're feeling better. I know I am.

And just in time. I have to fill up tomorrow. Don't forget to send me your list of "Things That Will Cost You More Than Gas." I have a feeling we'll be needing them.

Take care!

More Expensive Than Gas/Go Deep

"Get some perspective!"
Sounds like something your wife would say when your favorite team loses the championship. Agitated by her callous remark, you reply with something clever like, "Yeah, yeah!"

But really, perspective can help from time to time. Like now with gas prices higher than a kite and climbing every day. Maybe if we consider some things that will really cost us, the price of fuel won't seem like liquid gold.

So, here's the first half of my list of things that will cost you more than gas:

• Saying to a woman, "When are you due?" when you don't know for an ABSOLUTE certainty that she is with child. (I only did this once, at my 10-year high school reunion, and I still reach for mittens every time I think of the cold stare that resulted.)


• Getting between a future bride and her wedding plans. (My brother just learned this lesson when he made a "sensible" suggestion about his future daughter-in-law's location choice. Step into this mess and trouble multiplies like rabbits. Think backlash-cubed: mess with the bride-to-be and feel the wrath from the mother-in-law and wife, too.)


• Believing your wife when she says, "Oh, you don't have to buy me anything for my birthday!" ("But she sounded so sincere!" Riiiiight, and put those teeth under your pillow and the tooth fairy will leave you a surprise.)


• Being naive enough to rush into disreputable behavior in Las Vegas and truly believing it won't follow you home. (Think about it. How did "Sin City" gain its reputation if no one talked?)


• Opting for a fishing trip instead of sticking around for your in-laws' annual visit. (Don't be surprised if your wife and mother-in-law redecorate while you're gone. And enjoy your new digs in the backyard doghouse. Nice view!)

Kind of takes the sting out of the pump, doesn't it. That's called perspective.

There are more "things that will cost you more than gas" coming on Friday. In the meantime, if these examples have reminded you of costly experiences of your own, why not share them. It's for a good cause. Send me a comment.

Talk with you later!

More Expensive Than Gas/Think About It

$3.72 per gallon!
At the posting of this blog, that's the average price of gasoline in the United States.

Whew! I can remember--back in the day--when gas wars drove the price of a gallon down to 15 cents. And a station attendant would pump your gas for you! But, we don't have to go back that far to reminisce. Just a year ago, gasoline was (only) $3 per gallon. Oh, for the good old days.

Such an integral part of our everyday lives, driving is one of those essentials we can't imagine doing without. So it's no wonder we're all thrown for a loop with gas prices at an all-new high and reports emerging of continuing increases likely for the future.

But, come on folks, let's get a grip.

Very quickly, those with political ambitions seized the day, seeking to ease our suffering and grant us relief from this woeful circumstance. At this very moment, a bill is winging its way through Congress that will divert the daily allotment of gasoline from the federal emergency reserve to the marketplace, theoretically reducing the price by maybe five cents a gallon.

Don't you imagine that one day we will pay for this maneuver as well?

Is it truly the end of the world? I'm here to tell you, we need to get some perspective. There are many things in this world that cost us much more than the price of gas.

In fact, I'm starting a list. And I'll begin sharing that list with you Wednesday.