(Featured article in Return to Balance Ezine: May 2014)
I had a very scary experience yesterday. Long story short there are various pieces of my Rav4 scattered across I90/94, but most importantly I am sitting in my living room safe and sound writing this article. There are many moments in my life in which I’ve thought “why is this happening TO me” yesterday it struck me more deeply than ever before that these things are happening FOR me.
Now to elaborate on recent events and the lessons learned. Earlier this week my daughter struck a fever that triggered deep frustration in me. Since returning from my coaching certification/graduation in Colorado last month, my family has been hit with a string of illnesses. I even had to close my office for two weeks. (I haven’t been that sick in years.) So when my 3 year old started burning up again I was pissed. My brain started to spin: “my poor kid is sick again, I’ll probably catch this nasty bug too, more juggling around of schedules and work cancellations...ahhhhhh!”
Time to fast forward to yesterday’s scary event. Looking back on the event I’m thankful for how I: quickly and calmly made the necessary phone calls and simply read a book while waiting for the tow truck to arrive. It wasn’t until I was sitting in the quiet room at the car dealership, and my adrenaline levels began to decrease, that my mind really began to process what happened and just how differently things could have gone. Suddenly I was struck by immense gratitude.
So here is some of the wisdom these events helped me to remember (and I believe in my heart it holds true for you too): I am stronger than I realize and my instincts will kick in when I need them to. Listening to my gut instincts, intuition and that “quiet whisper” I’m always talking about not only makes my life easier and more joyful but it can actual save it.
There is a bigger picture that I can’t always see, yesterday was a prime example. Today I’m grateful for my daughter’s fever earlier in the week that altered our schedule and that she doesn’t like music in the car. Had it not been for those frustrations of the past, I may not be here writing this article today.
So next time you get frustrated and think “why is this happening TO me?!?” take a breath and remember it is happening FOR you and ask yourself:
I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy, healthy and safe Memorial weekend. I also hope that you take the time to slow down, get present and really SAVOR: the people you are with, the sunshine, the foods you eat, and breathing in the Spring air.
I had a very scary experience yesterday. Long story short there are various pieces of my Rav4 scattered across I90/94, but most importantly I am sitting in my living room safe and sound writing this article. There are many moments in my life in which I’ve thought “why is this happening TO me” yesterday it struck me more deeply than ever before that these things are happening FOR me.
Now to elaborate on recent events and the lessons learned. Earlier this week my daughter struck a fever that triggered deep frustration in me. Since returning from my coaching certification/graduation in Colorado last month, my family has been hit with a string of illnesses. I even had to close my office for two weeks. (I haven’t been that sick in years.) So when my 3 year old started burning up again I was pissed. My brain started to spin: “my poor kid is sick again, I’ll probably catch this nasty bug too, more juggling around of schedules and work cancellations...ahhhhhh!”
Time to fast forward to yesterday’s scary event. Looking back on the event I’m thankful for how I: quickly and calmly made the necessary phone calls and simply read a book while waiting for the tow truck to arrive. It wasn’t until I was sitting in the quiet room at the car dealership, and my adrenaline levels began to decrease, that my mind really began to process what happened and just how differently things could have gone. Suddenly I was struck by immense gratitude.
- Grateful for the fever that altered my schedule and meant that I had dropped off my 3 yr old at daycare minutes before my vehicle malfunctioned. (Had she not had the fever, she would have been with me and we would have been somewhere else when the malfunction occurred.)
- Grateful that I was the one driving the vehicle, being so familiar with it and therefore able to notice the odd little rattle. (In 24 hours, I was suppose to meet my parents and pass off my daughter and the Rav4 to them for the weekend.)
- Grateful that the malfunction happened where and when it did rather than less than a minute before as I was rounding the curve from the beltline to the interstate going 60mph.
- Grateful that I trusted my gut feeling and the little voice that told me to slow down and throw my hazards on seconds before my tire fell off and metal met pavement.
- Grateful that because of the reduced speed I was able to have enough control to quickly and safely bring the Rav4 to a metal screeching halt at the shoulder of the interstate.
- Grateful that yesterday I went back to give my husband a kiss goodbye as I left the house in a hurry, that could have been our last kiss…and I almost missed it.
- Grateful for the woman who held me tightly and lovingly said “cars can be fixed and replaced, you cannot be replaced. I’m so glad you’re ok”, exactly when my brain was starting to go into the money worry spiral. (You know who you are, thank you again for the reminder and the loving embrace.) Yes it could have been worse, so, so much worse…although I’m still not looking forward to that repair bill.
- Grateful to get another hug from my husband, daughter, mom and dad and the opportunity to tell them once again how much I love them.
So here is some of the wisdom these events helped me to remember (and I believe in my heart it holds true for you too): I am stronger than I realize and my instincts will kick in when I need them to. Listening to my gut instincts, intuition and that “quiet whisper” I’m always talking about not only makes my life easier and more joyful but it can actual save it.
There is a bigger picture that I can’t always see, yesterday was a prime example. Today I’m grateful for my daughter’s fever earlier in the week that altered our schedule and that she doesn’t like music in the car. Had it not been for those frustrations of the past, I may not be here writing this article today.
So next time you get frustrated and think “why is this happening TO me?!?” take a breath and remember it is happening FOR you and ask yourself:
- what lesson is this experience trying to teach me and how is this helping me to grow?
- what wisdom have I forgotten that this moment is trying to help me remember?
I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy, healthy and safe Memorial weekend. I also hope that you take the time to slow down, get present and really SAVOR: the people you are with, the sunshine, the foods you eat, and breathing in the Spring air.