Not easy being positive when so many things go awry. Normal
everyday happenings are challenges enough for most of us but then add illness,
financial stress or horrible weather and all seems lost at times.
The other day I spent the morning in a distant suburb
participating in a business mentoring workshop. All went well. Interactions
were excellent. Discussions were fruitful and the breakout sessions between
students and mentors were very productive.
I had a short business meeting with other mentors to follow
my student contact, then home for lunch – so I thought – and then on to
another mentoring session one on one.
That’s when things began to go wrong. First the traffic was
God awful. Getting home was now going to be a problem if I wanted to make my
next appointment on time. But I needed a bathroom break badly so soldiered on
to home. Realizing the time pressure I called the client to make sure she was
going to make our meeting. The cell phone misfired and kept calling the wrong
number. Still don’t know why it switched to another number when the first one
was dialed correctly.
Didn’t have time to fiddle with that so jumped in the car
again and started out to meet the client. At a stop light I managed to call and
confirm our appointment. Told her I might be late due to late start and heavy
traffic.
Then construction barriers loomed ahead. A 6-lane suburban
feeder highway (surface street with frequent stop-lights) was being repaired.
One third of the lanes in both directions were closed. Traffic backups were
monumental. There was no telling how many miles this problem existed. But each
stop light intersection took 3 to 5 cycles before traffic made it through.
Finally, with 8 minutes left to the appointed time but with
at least 30 minutes of travel time remaining, I called the client again and
cancelled the appointment. Instead I suggested I send her an email with
discussion questions for her to work on, then email her answers to me, and we
could continue our work via email until a face to face meeting was more
appropriate. She agreed.
I made a u-turn and made for home. Calling again via
hands-free technology, the phone system balked and failed to connect me with
the house. So, infuriated, I finally made it home in full frustrated mode.
Worse, Rocky was unable to fix lunch (he was recently out of hospital and our
larder was near bare) we went to a local Burger King restaurant where we
promptly ordered McDonalds fare forgetting where we were! That confused the
staff, we ordered, then changed the order further confusing them. The food came
late and not completely as we had wished. We ate it anyway and returned home to
change clothes and take a nap.
Later I caught up with several mentoring assignments via
computer and another nap until supper which turned out to be an egg
breakfast because that was all we had in the house. And it was delicious
because eggs always are!
Angry, frustrated and peeved I fumed and stormed around the
house mad at failed technology, egregious highway maintenance protocols that
force suffering on the very people who use and pay for the highways. And a
cascade of other negatives weighed me down.
Later that night I awoke after two hours of sleep completely
awake. Tossing and turning I contemplated my day and realized we were both
exhausted by medical and hospital happenings during the week, and that set up a
perfect storm for Friday. My nerves were on edge. Muscles were knotted. And
then the pain from those same muscles and an extra boost from arthritis made
for an uncomfortable night.
This morning I realize the toll I allowed the negatives to
take on me and my loved ones. Not a nice picture but at least I think I
understand it now.
Staying positive during trying times begins with
understanding that trying times are upon you. That is the warning that tells
you to reschedule and manage the stress better. Some avoidance is necessary.
Some fresh planning is required. And then gulps of fresh air, perhaps a nap,
and a renewed start.
We are human and can shoulder heavy loads. Some days are
easier than others. When they are not it pays to recharge and make changes
midstream. An apology may be nice to offer; but it is not required. After all
this is life and shit happens.
September 22, 2016
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