that oxygen mask

Today was a long day. I had an afternoon meeting and an evening meeting on top of classes. Yesterday was similarly long, and more distressing: it had the meeting with people talking past each other and then an evening talk (though the talk was much more enjoyable).

But, I got to thinking about a sign my dad used to have up in an unobtrusive place in his office. This was a very common sign back in the 1970s and 80s:

Yeah. But more recently I've seen another one. I'm just going to link it because apparently it's a copyrighted image. (I assume the first is kind of public domain, at least, I have seen it in many different versions, signs, bumper stickers, t-shirts...)

The newer version says: I can only please one person a day....today I choose ME.".

And while part of me recoils a bit at how selfish that sounds, really, isn't it okay some times to say, "I need to put my needs first for a little while"? Like, getting caught up on sleep? Or taking some downtime so you don't go all Sweetie Belle Derelle (warning: loud) on the next person who asks you for something.

I'm feeling a little like it's my turn to be the person who gets what they need....though I may have to wait until Saturday for that.