Dealing with the real world

One of the ways to increase your return on life involves being able to adapt to circumstances beyond your control without letting the situation get you totally off track. Resiliency helps you to assess situations and take appropriate actions without getting mired in the emotions. This is an area that I believe we are quickly losing ground, to our detriment.

Those of you who live in or near the Pittsburgh, PA area no doubt saw new coverage over the weekend concerning a female in the home of Steelers team member Cedrick Wilson. After the incident had been resolved, it was reported that she had fired a gun during the incident and that law enforcement officers had evacuated the neighborhood.

What surprised me about the accounts of this event had nothing to do with the woman, who was obviously severely distressed in one way or another. What I found disappointing was the reaction of the individuals who had been evacuated--or those connected with them. In two separate reports of the incident, the only quotes from these individuals had to do with dismay or with "feeling sorry for" those who had to leave their homes. I found that most curious. My reactions were relief that no one was hurt, sorrow for the distress of the young woman, and gratitude for the action of the officers in ensuring that everyone was safe. It didn't occur to me to feel sorry for the neighbors who were "inconvenienced" by having to leave--even though most had to spend the night elsewhere. I imagine they stayed with friends or family, perhaps in some cases in a hotel, and had time to pack necessities prior to evacuating.

When did we come to expect that somehow our lives are not to be interrupted by the rest of the world? Think about inconveniences you face and think about your reaction to them. Could you see an inconvenience as an opportunity for adventure, or a little spice in your life? You're the one who chooses your attitude, and acknowledging the positives and seeing the possibilities will serve you better than wallowing in self pity over being inconvenienced by real life.