What a week it has been in Southern California. Fire broke out last Saturday and spread to 139 acres rapidly, within 5 miles of me. Firefighters came from near and far, our community joined together to supply water and keep spirits with a major freeway closure. After three days of intense activity, our lives resumed to normal.
On Friday morning at 0104, a 5.2 earthquake shook our community. Again, we were reminded of forces greater than ourselves at work. These are humble reminders of life. There are forces that are beyond our control.
How we respond to these forces of nature is a choice. How we respond to life itself is a choice. I find it fascinating to evaluate the difference between “responding” and “reacting” – how is it that people faced with the same situation respond/react so differently?
Cognitive theory states that human responses are governed by emotions, which actually cloud our logic (cognition). Humans have a certain range of motions: laughing, crying, anger etc, and how we display these emotions is known as our response. Different life situations lead us to respond/react as we do.
There are factors involved to influence our responses/reactions.
- Stimulus, or the situation at hand
- Learned behavior, or what we have been taught or learned from others
- Emotions derived from biological DNA (personality and disposition)
- Environment
After years of living our patterns, habits, thoughts, beliefs and emotions, they can be so ingrained in what we do that it can seem as if we are on “auto-pilot” during our days. We are “triggered” from stimuli and respond/react without thought. Think of any portion of your daily activities – are they varied or routine? When something “out of the ordinary” transpires in your day, are you one that “goes with it” or is it upsetting to you? If something “big” occurs, how do you respond/react? What triggers you into a change in pattern?
When the fire broke out, I mentally shifted into “what if” mode. If I needed to evacuate, how long would it take for me to prepare to leave? If I left and was not able to come back, would I have what was needed to begin again?
Knowing I had a plan and had organized what I would need to pick up where I left off was of comfort to me. Yes, if I experienced complete “loss” I would feel it, yet knowing that “things are things” and knowing I would physically have the “stuff” needed to continue with day to day life, provided comfort and peace of mind. Loss is not easy; yet knowing I had organized to have access was a relief.
It is from this perspective that The Living Planner was formed. In those times when we “shake and rattle”, asking the question, are we are “ready to roll”, drives the questions I ask and services provided to individuals and businesses.
Are you, your family members, employees and company ready for anything life hands them? Advanced planning at home and work serves people in measurable and profound ways.
The Living Planner supports proactive resources and quality one-on-one comprehensive individual/family and business planning. When you’re ready, we’re ready for you! Here’s to smooth days ahead!
Contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner