Last Sunday I woke up to find out the tires on my and thirty-one of my neighbors cars had been slashed. I was actually pretty fortunate I only had to replace three instead of four tires like most everyone else. The bill was over $300 and for me (and I'm sure for most of you) that is a nice amount of money. For me it was half of the coaching course I was going to take this month... or a trip to visit some friends... or even new school clothes for my daughter and a netbook that was supposed to be a birthday present for myself.
So why did my neighbor have to ask me, "Aren't you upset?"
I was upset, but honestly there was nothing I could do about it. I started looking up online and calling tire stores. Of course it being Sunday not many were open and the prices I was being quoted were preposterous by the few stores that were open. I was in "fix it" mode though and so my only thought was how to fix the problem without killing my budget and still accomplishing some of the goals I had set for myself this month.
My new plan? Do NOT freak out over what I have no control over, fix what I can. I waited until Monday to call discount tires who saved me over $100 just for the 3 tires (they like me there, I've now bought 6 tires in 2010) and sign up for a less expensive coaching course that I am REALLY interested in and get credentialed in that.
I may not be getting a netbook (I dream of the pink one below) for my birthday and I may not get the EXACT Life Coaching credentials I thought I would (I only have to wait 2 months to do it again) and I may be on a tighter budget for my birthday than I anticipated (Still going to see Disneyland fireworks) but I have learned once again, that not being attached to outcome creates the peace that I love and the clarity to see what blessings are mine.
Attitude of gratitude. Remain open to whatever happens - there is always a reason.
So, the next time it feels like NOTHING is going right take a look at all the things you CAN do now that everything else isn't happening exactly the way you want it.
Let go - let God!
