June has been an electronics month at my house. Computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones – it seemed like all of them decided to revolt this past month for someone in my family. Researching what was available in today’s market turned into a much bigger project than I expected. Checking compatibility, connectivity, capacity – even the smallest of devices had to meet a pretty robust list of requirements.
Beyond all of that, the environment is also a factor in addition to portability for our increasingly mobile lives. How well will it operate when conditions aren’t ideal? And what is going to happen when in all of our rushing about through our day it slips from our grasp?
In the end, that seemed to be one of the most critical factors. Because we need something to work the way our lives work and to reliably function even when faced with unpredictable circumstances. This prompted some thoughts for me around how prepared we are ourselves to withstand the extremes and shocks of life. Our experiences have taught us to be prepared.
Just as the manufacturers of these devices have done, we need to look at the greatest risks and mitigate or counter them with a ready response.
Where are we at risk the most? For me that has proven to be similar again to what I found reviewing these devices. I am most at risk when there are external things going on that affect my personal space and I’m not prepared mentally, spiritually and emotionally to deal with them. The answer then is to be prepared. And to prepare in such a way that the response is automatic. No extra handling required.
The optimal response is something already built-in to how I function. If we can recognize a response, we can manage it and move it to something healthier and happier. Whatever the trigger, the response can be one that serves us even as we serve others.
It is what I have come to think of as the “G” zone. We have options here in this place. We can respond with Guilt, Grief or even Greed. Very human reactions in life. I take the blame, experience the loss and crave more. It is usually when life has thrown us a curve ball that these responses appear. Let’s face it – we cannot escape these. Not really. But we can learn to counter them so that within that “G” zone we can find our way through wiser and richer than when we entered.
Here is how:
When Guilt appears, counter with Grace.
“It is a hard thing to let go of mistakes we’ve made and sins. God wants us to do that because He knows the guilt and the condemnation will keep us from becoming who He has created us to be.” (Joel Osteen)
When Grief appears, counter with Gratitude.
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” (Abraham Lincoln)
When Greed appears, counter with Generosity.
“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” (Zig Ziglar)
How well we manage our “G” zone will directly impact it’s long term affect. Its presence is a gift because it is there that we grow to know ourselves at our worst and at our best. We can emerge bringing grace, gratitude and generosity to the world.
Live well.
