How Are You Going Through It?

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day on this glorious day from my Sweet Home Alabama! :)

So Friends, how are you going through this storm we are all facing? The coronavirus is impacting every single one of us, so how are you going through it? Are you dreading every day, watching countless news cycles or, are you approaching each day with optimism, filling your hours with activities that will make you a better person, helping you achieve your potential? Is having the kids home all day a burden or is it an opportunity to deepen your relationship with them? Here is the bottom line; we are all going to go through this...the thing each one of us has to determine is how.

I want to share a story. It is related to what we are talking about thought it is not a direct link. Just the same, I think you will enjoy the story and it will certainly help all of us with this storm as well as the next and the next and the next...

What I am going to share comes from a story written by Ray Reuter on August 13, 2015. The title of the article is Storms, Cows & Buffalo. You can read the entire article at unfetteredpotential.com.

"When a storm approaches, cows will move east, away from the storm. The storm is coming from the west, the cows see it, so they head east and run away from it. Makes sense - hard to argue with that logical behavior. However, eventually that storm will catch up to the cows. That's a problem...the fear and the avoidance of facing the storm causes cows to run. The cow hopes the storm goes away, and when it doesn't, the cow is surprised with that reality. Optimism, wishful thinking, running away, avoiding danger, looking away and pretending the storm is not there do not work.

In the case of the buffalo, they react the opposite. They head west, right into the storm. Directly heading into harm's way is counter-intuitive...and brilliant! By moving toward the storm the impact of the storm is dramatically reduced.

When something, bad, difficult, or fearful comes over the ridge, how do you respond? Do you respond like the cow, running away from the storm and hoping it chooses a different path, hoping it goes away? Or do you respond like a buffalo, going head-first into the storm with eyes wide open, knowing that facing challenges straight-on with courage and fortitude will ultimately lessen the significance and effects.

It is easy for us to justify and rationalize the logical cow behavior of running away from the tough and crazy. I challenge us to be a buffalo - facing the storms and fears we are avoiding, moving towards them with faith and confidence, knowing that beyond the storm the clouds fade away and the sunshine awaits."

Every single one of us wishes coronavirus would go away, that schools would be open, the restaurants would be open and that we could simply get together with our friends. This, however, is not our current reality. Coronavirus is real and it is infecting thousands. Because of this, we have all been asked to stay home if we can. No school, no restaurants, no gatherings with friends, no sports, etc. These are the facts. We don't control any of those things. We do however get to choose how we are going to go through this time?

In the years that follow, how will you and I look back at this time? Rest assured, none of us will ever forget it as long as we live. We are going to walk this path...but how? 

You know, you and I can choose to make the most of what is a very difficult situation for all of us. We can choose to challenge ourselves mentally by reading books, writing, or listening to podcasts. We can choose to challenge ourselves physically by doing push-ups and sit-ups, or going for a walk. We can choose to challenge ourselves spiritually by reading the Bible, praying or listening to Christian music. We can choose to challenge ourselves as spouses/partners or parents by talking to our significant other, talking to our kids or just sitting out on the porch with our family members. And we can choose to encourage others by writing letters, calling the person we have long wanted to call but didn't have time or using our talents to make a gift for someone. The time you and I are at home is going to pass anyways...but how?

I am bound and determined to come through this storm better and stronger than I went into it. I have challenged my families - home and work - to do the same. Let's not run from this season of life like a cow...let's run into this season of life like a buffalo. It's not Pollyanna and rose colored glasses. It is facing the reality of our situation and choosing to make the most of it. Easy? Absolutely not! It is a daily choice. I can promise you, having chosen how I would go through several storms in my life, you will not regret the choice of pursuing your greatness, and encouraging, empowering and equipping others to do the same, will we go through this storm.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com. 

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev