First the Computer, then the Cats

Many of my friends from different areas of my life are my friends on Facebook. One of them posted a note that had many of us worried recently. She spoke to an experience where she thought it odd that a firetruck had just parked next to her building, and then realized she was smelling smoke. Out of curiousity, she stepped out onto her rear balcony, realized that the firemen were going into her building, and that the smoke was coming from below her. She ran inside, grabbed her purse, her computer, external hard drive, expensive cameras and the cat carriers. Fortunately, the cats responded positively to her urgency and thus laden, she headed for the door. It wasn't until that moment that she thought to ask if she should vacate.

The answer, happily, was no. Her new neighbors had decided to cook outside on their grill had dumped their (still hot) charcoal into the dumpster. As a former Girl Scout leader, I was annoyed. As a friend, I was worried. As myself, I wondered what I would grab if I had to quickly vacate in case of a fire.

Like my friend, would I be willing to walk past treasured antiques, family heirlooms, mementoes, pictures, and other varied things? Would I think to carry my dog to safety? There's no question that I would ensure the safety of my children and husband. But what things would I grab?

What about you? What would your priorities be if you were forced to run, with only the clothes on your back, and limited to what you could carry in one trip?

It is interesting that I haven't wondered about this previously. There have been hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanos and other natural disasters occurring in seemingly greater frequency of late. And yet, this has not been something I've worried about or even put real thought into before today.

Disaster-readiness specialists have prepared pamphlets, websites and multiple press releases, and I've happily ignored most of them. I have, in my house, a certain level of preparedness, but should a major event happen, it would not be sufficient for long. Have I erred on the side of complacency? Am I naiive enough to believe that I am immune to disaster? Should I prepare for some unimaginable "worst"?

You see, I'm of two minds in terms of this. I teach my students that their thoughts create and attract their reality, but I also read that as humans we tend to imagine that the "bad stuff" only happens to other people. It's not that I don't think it can happen -- I just don't worry that it will. After all, the Girl Scout motto is "Be Prepared" and I try to be prepared for most things.

Should I lead my life in fear? Should I have a huge cache of rations stashed? Should I have a large electrical generator? Should I start trying to live off the grid? Is it possible to live off the grid in suburbia? Is it even worth the effort?

The answer is: I choose not to live in fear. I choose to live my life as fully as possible, with my family at my side, and helping others as they come to me. I also have a well-stocked pantry, a small portable fire-resistant safe, and an external drive for our hard drives. Will I be able to run with the clothes on my back and a few possessions? Yes. Do I want or expect to? No.

What would I take? My family, my dog, my purse, the safe, my laptop, some jewelry and what little money I have in the house. Well, those, and the memories that fill my mind and heart, memories of love, of trials, of happiness, of tribulation, and everything in between.

Because in the end, all that matters is the love, and the ability to keep on keeping on.

What would you take?

Allow yourself to be patient and to be true to yourself. Remember to take at least five minutes every day to simply be by yourself and breathe. Allow yourself to indulge in a moment of thought, reflection, and planning when the mood strikes. It's your life, your choice. Allow yourself to simply succeed on your own terms, to live in peace, abundance, and joy. One day, one decision at a time, remaining aware of your choices and your feelings. You CAN get there.

And, as always, if you need help, I'm available. It's what I do, and it's what I love to do.

Sharon.

Hypnotherapy can help you to think healthier, happier, and more successful thoughts while adding the power of relaxation to your life. As you go through your day, you feel better and perform better.

Contact us to learn more about how hypnotherapy can you propel you toward a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy, in any form, does not diagnose, treat or cure mental or emotional problems, and is not a substitute for other professional help.