BY
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Wow,
I can honestly say that this has been an incredible week! In fact, it was a week when everything hit
the fan! First, I had a dreadful health
scare followed by both my telephone and internet access down. It was a bit scary being incommunicado from
friends, relatives and associates. I
reported the phone and internet problems on Wednesday to AT&T and was told
a repair man would be at my house on Friday between 8 AM and 12 Noon. That meant another 3 days of being in limbo.
As
I reflected on my situation I realized there was nothing I could do about
everything that had happened. It was
time for the serenity prayer to work its magic on my frayed nerves. In fact, I felt a bit like an alcoholic who
had hit bottom and was desperately trying to make sense of things. I realized then it could be worse and was
determined to make the best of everything and stop beating up on myself.
The
turning point came as I became aware that there was so much good going on in my
life and the inconveniences were nothing and not worth getting in a stew over compared
to all the good things. I found a new
joy in my small house, I read vociferously and thought about all the writing I
could get done without interminable interruptions! Why this was truly a blessing in disguise to
be cut off from the outside world and totally dependent on one’s own.
Ideas
for short stories appeared like magic in a steady stream across my brain. They seemed so good I don’t know why I never
thought of them before. Then it occurred
to me that I was not in a censoring mode but one of acceptance and my horizons had
blossomed and enlarged…
Friday
the telephone repair man arrived and fixed both my phone and internet
service. He told me I didn’t need to buy
the telephone equipment from Radio Shack.
Earlier in the week I ran around between Best Buy, Staples, Wal Mart and
Radio Shack looking for the equipment that AT&T told me I needed to have to
fix the problem. I still haven’t
recorded my message on my answering machine yet but I am enjoying the peace and
quiet like never before.
Folks,
I think it goes to show that out of adversity we learn how to be strong, take
charge, and accept life’s inconveniences without getting in our own way and
coming up with far better solutions that we ever imagined. The next time adversity strikes I will think
back on this week and realize that not every negative is about to devour me, or
that I shall fall apart when things don’t go my way. Rather, go with the flow and see what
happens. Like me, you may be very
surprised at the results.
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
