I had plans for my entire day and the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend mapped out in my head to get me through it with minimal inconvenience and fuss. I confirmed where and when I could swim when my regular pool was closed. I hit the grocery store Monday morning to avoid the onslaught of amateur shoppers who clog the aisles before every holiday. I was just completing my dog walk in a heavy downpour. The second we opened the door, I was ready to strip us all down, dry the dogs off and hang our gear in the garage to dry.
Instead, as I approached the front door, I could hear an alarm blaring. It was one of my leak detectors. I opened the door, unbleached the dogs and hustled to investigate.
Four hours later I was waiting for a plumber to arrive with a replacement hot water tank. My day’s plans were laid to waste.
Twenty four hours later, I still have no hot water. I have a new tank partially installed. Today’s agenda is trashed. Quite possibly, my carefully thought-out Thanksgiving weekend plans are kaput too.
Still, I’m good at handling emergency situations. I investigate, assess and take action – quickly and decisively.
I am good when emergency situations crop up. It can be a family emergency, a medical emergency, a house repair emergency, a pet emergency, or something else. I become laser focused on the priority issue and dismiss everything else. I can worry about everything else later.
I would prefer for everything to go smoothly, according to my plan. Oftentimes, it does and I enjoy a simple, quiet life.
But sometimes, it doesn’t. And I’ll be just fine (but maybe a little whiny).