Monday, July 07, 2008

Crisis Scheduling

PHONE CRISIS!

"There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full."

~ Henry Kissinger 1923-


Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could schedule our crises?

“I’m so sorry, Brenda, I can’t. I have a crisis scheduled for 10am Tuesday. Can we reschedule for later that afternoon?”


Each week we would know exactly what was going to fall apart and when. We’d have advance notice so we could allot the appropriate amount of time to deal with that particular problem.


And we could compare calendars!

“I’m free Wednesday after 3 and before 8 or Friday’s completely open.”

Dynamite Crisis

Never again would we have to drop everything to respond to a friend whose partner just walked out (or in) on them. No more “But mom! It’s my turn to bring 50 cupcakes for snacks today.” Everyone would be in perfect synch and we could get on with doing those other things that get pushed asked during panic moments.


Of course, this isn’t possible and I’m sure Mr. Kissinger knows that. So we learn to cope no matter what. Somehow we figure out that if we keep writing with this hand, we can still pick up the crying baby or answer the phone with the other. We can still get to ballet/soccer/softball/chess practice. There is an unspoken belief that we will get things done regardless.


I can remember a time when my life seemed to be nothing but one major crisis after another. I survived those times by leaning on friends and talking myself through things. I learned a lot about the power of positive speaking in my own life. I learned that there are things I can control and things I cannot. I’m trying, even now, not to stress over things I cannot control.



crisis wavecrisis wavecrisis wave


What about you? How do you deal with the inevitable “THE SKY IS FALLING RIGHT NOW” moments of life? Can you take life’s lemons and make lemonade while on a dead run for your next appointment praying the car doesn’t die? Do you hide under the covers and pretend the alarm never went off or do you charge forward, ready to tackle whatever is presented to you, no matter what? Do you blow up before you have a chance to take a breath and see if this crisis really will end the world as you know it? I’d love to know how you deal with those “WAH” moments…

2 comments:

Tarot By Arwen said...

Ok, so this is half of Marilu. My response to crisis is often to run around like a chook. I flail my arms, gnash my teeth and waste time.

WHAT? I'm being honest here! LOL! Then I get down to business.

Maggie Toussaint said...

what a timely post! My world went to crap 3 times yesterday. First a sneaky snake accidentally got chased under my car when I needed to use it to go to work. I took the bike instead. At dinner, which I hadn't cooked and weaseled a restaurant visit out of hubby, I got a quarter inch splinter in my finger from hanging my purse over the back of the chair. I couldn't even think with that plank in there. Fortunately the waitress, bless her soul, found some tweezers and fixed me. I comforted myself with onion rings. Then I got home and one of the projects I'm working on with a team of writers blew up. I was really glad to see yesterday go.