Has the cheese slidden off your cracker ?

I have had two brushes with mental illness this week on the job. The first was the news that grieved me to my bones that a former colleague of mine who I lost contact with several years ago has lost her mind. And it was an ordinary incident that broke the "camel's back". Since then, electric shock treatment, hospitalisation, the works. And this is a young woman as mentally fit as I am. Or so I thought. The woman who I will make a house call on next when she is in Canberra will be a completely different one from the proud "big sister" who organised an engraved sheild, flowers and a special presentation to commemorate to my admission to the bar ceremony 6 years ago. My shoulders are very heavy with this knowledge.

The second was today. There was a potential security risk when a mentally ill member of the public who had been harrassing us by phone turned up and I was the most senior of the professional staff available to speak with him. I am fine, no worries. But what angered me greatly was the reaction of two other staff members afterwards who stood back and thought it was funny. Not that kind of humour that arises from relief when a dangerous situation is diffused. No. The uncompassionate and unkind laughter against the less capable.

So friends, three thoughts for today in the run up to the silly season of Christmas:

1- how is your cheese sitting on your cracker? Are you under pressure or stress and need to take a break, knowing that if your work, family plans, tree decorating, card writing, party planning, late spring cleaning, negotiating with the in-laws is NOT done, then you will get a shot at it all again next year? What is worth exchanging your mental stability for? By the way, if you fall short in these areas, you are in good company- I have sent Christmas cards for 1 year out of the past 3.

2- is there someone you know who is needing support and care? Are you brushing over their difficulties or adding to them ? None of us have inexhaustable mental resources.

3- how much compassion do you have for people who might not be as logical, sensible, hard working and responsible as you? What if they really do believe that they have been wronged, even if they haven't? Will you laugh at them ? Or will you show kindness with strength?