LIFEST YLE
Sustainability is the new catch phrase. When you
Google the term “sustainability,” you get 39,800,000
results. These results include sustainability in
business, environment, education, food, and more.
Have you ever thought, am I sustainable? How
would I handle the unplanned, unwanted, and
unexpected events in life? Often times, we have
our life scripted; once upon a time. Once I finish
high school I am going to attend college or start
my career. Once I am in my career than I will get
married. Once I am married then we will buy a
house. After the house, then we will start a family.
During this time, I will get promoted and make
more money. Now it’s time for the second child or a
bigger house. Oh yes, I forgot about the dog to go
with the white house and picket fence in the best
neighborhood with the best schools, and Soccer
Moms to take my children to school. We want our
life in perfect alignment to our Dreams and Aspirations. Oh if life were that simple and perfect.
How do you handle the unplanned, unexpected,
and unwanted? What are you thinking? According
to UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging the average person has approximately 65,000 to 70,000
thoughts per day. The National Science Foundation
estimates that 70-80% are negative thoughts. Can
you relate? Some engage in the “victim mentality”
that the “world” is out to get them. Often continuous negative thoughts lead to psychological,
physical, relational, and professional problems.
At the beginning of the economic downturn, I lost
my job. I had a very nice salary. I enjoyed my job.
Had the admiration of my peers. Was highly successful. But it all changed on that Monday afternoon,
when the Region Manager delivered those words:
“the company is letting you go.” Still to this day, I
remember it vividly. My whole world came crashing
down. All my hopes quickly turned into fears. How
was I going to deal with this? Unfortunately, you do
not learn this in undergraduate or graduate school.
My world would be forever changed by these
unplanned, unexpected, and unwanted events.
Then the unplanned occurs – you lose your job.
How do you handle that challenge? You no longer enjoy two incomes or you are single and that
was your only source of income. Why me, I work
harder than anyone else in this department?
I have sacrificed nights and weekends to get
things done. I am the “Go To” person. Why me?
Or the unexpected occurs – your spouse/significant
other decides they want out of the relationship.
But you have invested so much time, effort, money,
and most importantly emotions. You had dreams
of being together forever. How could this happen?
Why didn’t I see the signs? Is it my fault? Why me?
Or the unwanted occurs – you have cancer. Yes, the “C” word. I have led a healthy
lifestyle. I am a good person. Why me?
In the summer of 2012, I called my parents to ask
for a favour. Then my mother told me the news,
she has lung cancer. How could that be? My mother
spent the last year and a half taking care of her
sister (Aunt Sue) who was diagnosed with lung
cancer. My mother had less than a 15% chance of
survival. How could this be, my mother is a good
person? She took care of her sister, who suffered
greatly? Why didn’t the Doctors catch it early? Did
my mother have cancer when she was taking her
sister to radiation and chemotherapy treatments?
My world would be forever changed by these unplanned, unexpected, and unwanted events. Often
we want the knowledge without the experience; to
be delivered from heartache rather than delivered
through it. This way out is not always possible.
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1961 Magazine Fall 2014