Words are very powerful. Word can inspire, move,
motivate, and encourage us. Word can also hurt, teardown, destroy and bring us
down. Words are something we all have the ability to use. Words express what we
feel. Words express our thoughts. I’ve been thinking a lot about words lately.
As you all know, I’m writing a story. I’m also writing this blog. I also teach
a youth class where I plan lesson plans and chose my words carefully.
This past Wednesday I thought a lot about words because
someone replied to my Facebook Status and used two words that tore at me. These
two words hurt me because of a negative history I have with these two words. “Flip
Out” I hate these two words.
Last Wednesday I was working on lesson plans I had
used and was going to use for this year. I had them all organized. I also had
them saved on my laptop. I deleted one picture and lost the entire file. [I
didn’t realize this had happened and I deleted my recycle bin.] Later when I
went to pull up the Lesson plans they were gone. I wasn’t a happy person. I
looked everywhere for them. I was starting to panic a bit because in less than
an hour I was going to using one of those lessons for my youth class. I had no
lessons to use. NONE! Everything was gone. A year’s work was gone. The
beginning prep for next year’s lessons was also gone. I got a little more
panicked. I was going to face a classroom of youth with no lesson. [I wrote it
out so I wouldn’t have to remember.] I was panicked. I was upset.
I posted this on Facebook.
“I can't breathe
right now. URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRI had my Wednesday night Youth Lessons that I had on my computer. The lessons for the entire year. The lessons plans I made, the workbooks, I made the bulletin board ideas and plans, notes about what worked this year & what didn't. Game ideas. Activity ideas. I had started planning for the next year. It is all GONE! GONE!
URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
I deleted several pictures & files. [Other things I didn’t need] I then deleted the recycle file.
WELL NOW I CAN’T FIND MY LESSON PLANS!
I’ve lost everything. I had just organized & now I lost everything! Everything!
URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
I lost tonight’s lesson too!!!!!!!!!! I’m winging it tonight!
URRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
I’m trying to calm down. I’m shaking and can’t breathe very well right now.
I’ve deleted the comment that upset me because it said “Before you flip out…” [I don’t want people to know who sent me this comment.]
I have panic
attacks. I have anxiety issues. I do not flip out. I hate that people use this
word to describe someone having a panic attack. I hate when they me or anyone
else having a panic attack-“Don’t flip out” or “Calm down before you flip out”.
I don’t flip out. I have panic attacks. There is a difference.
I think the term “flip
out” is not appropriate to describe a panic attack. 1-I do not do a front flip,
a back flip, or any kind of a flip when I’m having a panic attack. 2- “Flip out”
has a negative condemnation associated with it-implies that you’re crazy. [I’m
not]
I have heard the
words “flipping out” or “Marie has flipped out again” or “whatever you do don’t
flip out” or “Just breathe before you flip out” all my life. I hate the words “flip
out” because it is not what I do. I have panic attacks. I have moments where I
feel like the word is crushing me to death. I’m consumed by dread and fear. I
can’t focus and I struggle breathing. My heart feels like it is beating so fast
it will pop out of my chest. My hands are sweaty and I’m short of breath. I
sometimes have to fight the urge just to run off and hide. However, I am not
flipping out.
I ask that before
you tell someone who is having a panic attack to not flip out to think about
how insulting those words are and how you’re making it worse. Please try to use
other words. I have a friend who refocuses my brain. She points out I am safe.
She has me look around the room to realize I am safe. She slowly refocuses my
brain. She changes my thought process. Try doing this next time you encounter
someone having a panic attack. But please don’t treat them like they’re
flipping out.
To see where my journey
began read my first blog: http://mmbreakingfree.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-story-so-far.html
To follow me on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Change2HealthyTo follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Change2Healthy
