AEROdYNAmIcAllY SPEAkING, A BUmBlEBEE ShOUld NOT BE ABlE TO FlYis that it’s hard to stop a hammer in the middle of a full swing. Even if I
wanted to slow down it felt too late. Perhaps the problem wasn’t with the
hammer, but my lack of options to use another tool.
In order to evolve personally and professionally, I had to put the ham-
mer down and pick up a tape measure, a pencil, and a flashlight. I used
the tape measure to examine whether or not the things that I put the most
effort into are producing real measurable results. I sharpened my pencil
and committed to documenting a blueprint for the next phase of my life.
I used the flashlight to explore the dark corners of fear that prevented
me doing what I really wanted to do. Hammers have their purpose, but
it’s unnecessarily difficult to build a home or live an enjoyable life if it’s
the only tool you’ve got.
IF We hAD no WInteR, sPRIng WoUlD not Be
so PleAsAnt; IF We DID not tAste ADveRsItY,
PRosPeRItY WoUlD not Be so WelCoMeI have heard when it rains it pours. I have also heard there is a light at the
end of tunnel. Now that I think about it, I am constantly reminded that
all things happen for a reason. Every time I heard such phrases, it was in
the midst of a bad situation or a series of unfortunate events. Why hasn’t
someone coined a phrase that reminds me that when it rains it was nec-
essary, the light at the end of the tunnel is the same light that guided me
into it in the first place, or the reason for whatever is happening does
not always have to make sense? The fact is that we will be presented
with highs and lows, surprises and disappointments, good times and
bad. Rather than wait until something unfortunate happens only to then
invoke the power of the clever phrase to get us through, we should an-
ticipate certain things happening and get our recovery tools in order. In
other words, be prepared. Have an umbrella on hand for the rainy days,
flashlight for the dark days, and a good laugh ready in waiting when
something out of the ordinary decides to make a surprise appearance.
Ensure you have a few strong relationships intact to help you see
through the dark days and cover your back when it decides to rain. Dis-
appointment does not have to linger long or cause us to lose focus for
a prolonged period of time. Chalk up the event as a ‘life’ happening
- embrace it, learn from it, and move on. Find a way to start each day
with a hearty laugh about something in recent history that didn’t go as