Upheaval...In a Good Way

Photo by Mary Vee

I am getting ready for another adventure.

My suitcase is packed. I'm really hoping for no hassles from TSA, a flight with no issues, my car rental ready, and GPS in a good mood.

So, while I am doing all of that, let's talk. 

Anytime the norm is changed, upheaval happens. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Even a flat tire isn't necessarily horrible. Amazing how fast a crucial meeting could be rescheduled, eh? 

For work at home folk leaving for a trip can create a mountain of work up front--and a cavern of work when we return. Sure the family can survive on pizza, dishes mounting in the sink, fruit flies in the air from the food left out, and dirty laundry. 

We over planners like to know there is healthy food in the fridge, the kitchen is clean, all laundry folded and where it belongs, and the vacuuming done before we leave. Sticky note lists separating what needs to be purchased at the grocery store from what needs to go in the suitcase reproduce like rabbits in the days before departure. Weave in preparing and printing materials for presentations, the random solicitor phone call, the doorbell, etc and everything is soon in an upheaval.

But--that is okay. We survive and live to do it again.

Most of the reports about Florida's recovery from Hurricane Irma and Houston's recovery from Hurricane Harvey have been good to read. Men and women talk about not having power, downed trees, or other damage, but -- this is where they fill in the sentence with something positive. Something like, the storm was nowhere near as bad as they thought it would be. Neighbors are sharing and helping each other with the clean up, meals, and shelter. 

Along the border of Uganda and Sudan, the United Nations and other organizations are helping Sudanese fleeing the turmoil in their country. Uganda has opened it's doors to more needy refugees than any other nation, according to the BBC. The Sudanese are not stuffed into camps, but are given a small piece of land to build a home and plant a garden. Uganda is giving legitimate refugees a place to settle. 

Their life isn't easy. They have to build homes and find food. But they have an opportunity to begin in a safe place.

Whether the upheaval is small, like going on a trip and leaving your family at home to fend for themselves, or epic like living through a natural disaster or a threat on your life, waking the next morning to new circumstances is a chance to start a new chapter. 

We stand on our feet. 
We pick up a broom.
And sweep what we can away.
To live and breathe another day.

I hope you have a day that is rewarding. It may not be as good as you planned or hoped. Maybe it is simply a day that gives a story of survival--some hope to someone else.

This post has been brought to you by the one word: UpheavalGoodStories