As I write this, Hurricane Sandy is set to smack the eastern coast line in a way that we have not seen in recent history.  I am on the left coast so my participation in this event will have to be lived vicariously through friends that I have within the storms path.

I have been watching the weather channel the last few days (OK – so I am intrigued by bad weather) and there have been numerous pictures of people boarding up their windows, stocking up on generators and other supplies and thousands are being evacuated.

I always try and see a story within the story and this is no exception.  Everyone is putting all their energy into preparing for this three day event that will no doubt, change thousands of lives forever.

So here is the story.  Life is a series of storms.  We know they are coming, maybe not exactly when, but they are.  So why is everyone so active preparing for Sandy yet do little to prepare for the storms that we encounter in our everyday life.  Well it just so happens that I have a couple thoughts on that.

NO SENSE OF URGENCY

Most of us are so overwhelmed with what we have to do today and tomorrow that we don’t think much further than that.  If we can handle the things that come at us in the next few days we feel a sense of accomplishment.  Does this sound like anyone you know?  Long range planning is simply a luxury that most of us don’t put high on the priority list.  So when that storm shows up in the forecast, we scramble to do what we have to do to survive.

IT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME

Honestly after Irene hit the east coast, most residents probably felt like they had seen the worst for a while.  How is that working out?  We all say it.  The odds are with us right?  I won’t get hit by lightning.  Problem is that eventually you will – maybe not by lightning, but by something.  We simply have a false sense of security that a major catastrophe will not impact our lives.  Eventually the storm will hit and we will be smack dab in the middle of it.

I WILL JUST DEAL WITH IT WHEN IT HAPPENS

Alright, in most cases, this will probably work.  But what about when it doesn’t?  You remember that expression “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?”  There is some truth to that so I guess we just need to weigh our options (pun intended).

My thoughts and prayers go out to all that are affected over the next week as they deal with Sandy.  But there is already a lesson to be learned here and the storm has not even made land fall yet.  The fact is we will all encounter a storm like Sandy in our lives.  It might be weather related but more likely something totally unexpected like the loss of a family member or being let go at work.

We have the opportunity today to start preparing for that storm.  I will save suggestions on how to do that for another post but for now, think about what would happen if a storm hit you tomorrow.  Would you have to run to the store to buy a case of water and some batteries or do you already have them at home on the shelf?

Life is full of surprises, make some decisions today that will enable you to respond instead of react and keep some control over your own circumstances.

***********************************************************************

Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page. 

Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page

Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   10/25/12