Life without power continues to be a challenge. Here’s a photo of the bugaboo keeping my neighborhood in the dark.
Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, I’m finding a way–blogging this morning from Panera Bread where there is free wi-fi (before the public library opens), showering at my fitness center, putting on my makeup by daylight coming through the kitchen window for last night’s Remarkable Women’s Network event.
Also, today I let my clients know by text that they’d need to call my cell phone for our sessions. I sat in my car with the motor running (fortunately, I drive a hybrid, so it didn’t use up any gas) and coached from the driver’s seat. Appropriate, no?!
This is getting old. It may go on until Friday, we’re told. But here’s what I’m grateful for:
That I live in a country where I am completely assured that this will get resolved.
That it’s Daylight Savings Time and I can still see things in my house without the benefit of my battery-powered lantern until about 7:30pm.
That I have owned a MacBook since last June which retains its battery power for 4-5 hours, or about 3 hours longer than my Dell laptop held out.
That good friends offered me showers and a place to stay should I need it.
That 21 Remarkable Women showed up for last night’s event in spite of whatever was going on at home. One woman even saw an added benefit of the evening that she could charge her cell phone there while networking. I love being around positive, action-oriented people.
6 comments
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March 16, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Jan
Gratitude….what a wonderful thing!!!
March 17, 2010 at 9:05 am
Karen Hodges
Great showing up Jane!
Your post was a reminder to me that life will throw roadblocks in our way — yet how we handle it and show up provides an real opportunity to lean into and demonstrate our grit.
March 18, 2010 at 8:39 am
janepollak
@Karen
Yes! And I’ll LOVE telling this story in about ten years. Hard to live through, but will add substance to my soul.
@Jan
It’s the only thing, right?!
April 1, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Kelly Schellert
Fortunately, I have great friends and family. This year has been very tough owning a business but personally, I’ve lost two uncles and my Grandmother is recovering from a mild stroke. Every day it seems hard to want to get up and face the day but my Grandmother tells me, “Just put one foot in front of the other. The only way to do it is just to go right through it.” She may not be with us much longer but her words of wisdom will live forever in my heart. I find encouragement in the unlikeliest of places. When we lost our uncles, friends and family spread all over the country consoled one another by the hour, over Facebook. Business colleagues and groups also encourage one another as well. Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story with us. It helps to know that we are not alone, that connectivity is at our fingertips. Everyone can face darkness at some time but it’s up to us whether we light a path for others.
April 1, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Lynne Marino
The more chaos in the world around us, the more I tend to focus on only those things within my control. Particularly in the financial services business, many things have been out of control over the past 2 years. That’s when I focus more on my health (hey, I can control that through diet and exersize). My posture, stand up straight and hold your head high. My attitude – there is ALWAYS something to be greatful for! Let’s keep moving forward in a postive way. Because, what’s the alternative? Gloom and doom? Not appealing to me!
April 2, 2010 at 7:32 am
janepollak
@Kelly
Thank you for this! I, too, believe the only way to do it is through it, but never heard it so succinctly put, or with a rhyme. Thank you and Grandma.
@Lynne
Staying present is so key. Thank you for sharing the ways you do it.