Looking past the smile

Today while trolling Facebook I saw a status on a friends page. It struck me.

 

Just something to think about...Did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? Did you know the one who takes care of others all the time are usually the ones who need it the most? Did you know the 3 hardest things to say are I love you, I'm sorry, and Help me. Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you have to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in.

 

 

WOW. Did you feel that? I felt it, It rocked me.

 

I know it is geared towards personal lives, however when I read this I think of the positive dispatcher that is dragged down into misery in a negative environment.

 

We often become so tied up in our own lives and drama's we forget to look around us and see the others out there. While we worry over minimal or trivial details in our lives someone is being mistreated or are in need of a shoulder. This applies to not only our personal lives but our work lives as well. Our co-workers are our Emergency Services Family. I know, I know there are a few people we would rather not have to deal with. However just like in your personal family there is always that one person that always challenges everyone's patience. You don't have to love them, but they are still part of that family.

 

What do you do? How do you ensure that you are there for that person? Are you the person always looking to bring the positive into the light? Reaching out to help or being part of the problem?

 

Today is the day to think about it. Cast off selfishness, everyone has that side. Some just have a bigger issue with it than others.

 

What can you do? It's the little things that can change the world!

 Make eye contact and smile.

Be that shoulder.

Come to the defense of someone that needs you at their back.

Compliment and lift others in a positive way when it is deserved.

Let them know you see them and you care.

 

Most of all, be that positive force that we often are missing in the communications center. Set the example. Do not let the negative, burn out, nellies set the tone. Break the silence and the routine.

It is going to be a fight? You are damn right it is! It is all worth it in the end.

 A happy, positive team can make all the difference in recovering from the devastating effects our job can have on us. Learn to recognize burn out and find ways to defeat it. Not only in yourself but your work family as well.

 

Positivity & Negativity are contagious. Which one do you want to spread?