Who ate the last piece of bread?
Why is it so easy to think negatively? When our expectations are not met, or we are facing a difficult task, it seems that it is easier to be negative. I’m not sure why this choice of having a negative, verses positive, comment always seems to lean toward the negative.
Two years ago, I woke up early to prepare for a week of work. It was a normal Monday morning. For some reason, I decided to go downstairs to our finished basement. When I stepped onto the floor, my feet hit water. My basement had flooded . . . for the third time in nine years! We live on a natural spring. I was not made aware of this little fact when I bought the house. We had been going through lifetime warranty sump pumps about every 18 months. Unfortunately, I ready knew what to do. I called my electrician on speed dial, and got the clean up process started. On Thursday, my wife called me and said, “I have bad news.” After a pause that seemed like forever, she told me the basement flooded again. The new pump went out after 3 days. I was shocked. I was stunned. She had to be kidding, right? No, she was not kidding. On a good note, the restoration fans were still at the house, so it didn’t cost as much to keep them, to dry out the second flood. I was in a state of disbelief. I was angry. Fearful. What’s next? Clearly, I was expecting another bad thing to happen. I was very negative and critical. Yes, on the outside, I appeared to be calm, but on the inside, I was critical. On the occasions when I was not on my guard, a sarcastic comment would slip out. Usually, it was some projection into the future, or some comment to gain sympathy. It felt like this time period lasted forever. It didn’t.
As devastating as that moment was for me it did not last forever. Now, it’s a good story. Trust me, I never want to go through it again, and I do twitch a little when we get hard rains. But, I was able to walk away with a couple of things. Number one, whatever hardship you currently are facing, it will pass. Because it will pass, do what you can do to fix what is fixable. Remember, because you have gotten through other hardships, you will get through this one too. Here are some questions to ask: What can I learn from this one? What can I learn about myself? What can I learn about others? Are you asking for help? Are you trusting God?
By the way, I now have two sump baskets, four pumps, battery back-up, and multiple alarms. At the time, those were the best suggestions. I have had a dry basement for 2 years. Yea! And, if we flood again I KNOW we will get through it.
Will you choose to persevere through your hardship?
Sincerely,
kevin polky, CADC, LCSW
The video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGbfB6G71GU (Preview)
Introduction for the video
10 Lessons for Your Life
Take a moment for yourself and watch this video. It is loaded with Wisdom. Enjoy!