Inspired Greetings,
If I had to sum up the past week with a one-word image, I would describe it as a roller coaster. The carnival ride on both a personal and professional level ranged the gamut from elating and joyful experiences to depleting events.
My family and I packed our bags to head home from a warm, sunny, fun and successful adventure to Florida. We enjoyed relaxing, playing and thawing out from the deep freeze of the Northeast! I met some incredible people on the sets of The Daily Buzz and Emotional Mojo while getting the opportunity to share the Home in Harmony message with more than 250 million viewers.
We arrived home to find our house suffering the consequences of the record levels of snow that have been piling up on roadways, rooftops and T-tracks. Unfortunately, the snow and ice took its toll and created a funnel effect on our roof sending streams of water through the cedar shingles and walls into our home. Despite crews of shoveling men, a team of engineers, contractors and restoration company the water continued to create blistering bubbles in the ceilings, rugs that felt like saturated sponges when walked on and run from recessed lighting as if it were pouring out of spigots. Every room on every floor felt the impact.
As a team (Team O’Leary) we pulled together and quickly mobilized. The youngest member had to clear her room of all her beloved belongings (we call her the Zoo Keeper because of her love of stuffed animals). Water penetrated the walls soaking her rug; books, clothes and “stuffies” had to be moved. Later she would help Dad, or at least keep him company, remove snow from the deck that the contractors were fearful would collapse under the weight of the snow. (Much of the snow from the roof had been pushed down onto the deck. On my Facebook page you can check out a picture of my 6’2” husband surrounded by snow. I mention his height so that you can fully understand the magnitude of snow New Englander’s have experienced this month… notice the size of the icicles hanging from the roof!) The oldest child spent time shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling. He also let his little sister sleep in his room for two nights while he slept in the guest room. I raced around finding leaks and more leaks, placing buckets, laying down beach towels, cleaning & drying towels that were sopping wet, only to begin again.
After only two days of being home I had to jump back on a plane. I was both excited for the adventure ahead but apprehensive to leave the house and my family in this unsettled condition. After a sleepless night, from the disconcerted feeling of a home in disrepair, I took an early morning flight to the West Coast to speak at the National Lifestyle Bloggers Conference in LA. I met with so many inspiring bloggers who are living their passion and shining their light in the world. You can check out some fun posts and highlights on Twitter @HarmonyDesigner and #NLBC15.
I also had the opportunity to unwind in Marina Del Ray for a few days before heading back to the whirlwind of motherhood and house cleanup duty. My plane flight flew into Boston as my husband’s flew out on a business trip to Brazil.
You might be wondering why am I sharing this with you today? Well, it really is for two reasons. Below you will find two simple solutions to help you find calm in the midst of chaos even when life has placed you on a wild roller coaster ride.
First, in life we are always going to have things add to the chaos of modern day living. How we choose to deal with these depleting types of events determine the quality of our life. We, as a family, could have buckled under the pressure of a house quickly becoming unhinged. It went from a sanctuary to a state of disarray in a matter of hours. Instead we banded together trying our best to make this event into an adventure which helped to create a sense of calm amidst the chaos.
Second, as Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. In other words, be the person you want to see and be around in your life. I want to be the person who is a positive, glass-half full influence on the world. I want to be the example for my children and my community. When ceilings are flooding I know it is important to express my true feelings of disappointment in the situation but it is also imperative to focus on and convey a sense of hope as things unfold. As I watched the water flow I kept asking myself. “What is the silver lining?” I wanted to find a silver lining to make my family feel better and calm the anxiousness creeping into my own sense of grounded-ness. When you can find a silver lining, even if it is only a sliver, this sense of hope can pull you out of a place of negativity or despair.
Life, like a roller coaster ride, is sure to have its ups and downs. How you look at the ride will determine if it rattles your foundation and feels like a scary corkscrew carnival coaster or you view it as an amusing adventure that will have its peaks and valleys. Life can be about the fun and thrills even during turbulent times!
When you have moments of despair, negativity, or anxiousness can you ask yourself, “What is the silver lining?” Feel free to comment below and share your “Silver Lining Moment” I would love to hear how you have stepped off life’s roller coaster and created calm in the midst of chaos.
Happy Soaring,
XOXO
PS… If you need a plan to help you move off the roller coaster of life, I am here to help you find that silver lining! Set up a Free Success Strategy Call to begin being the person and creating the home, health and happiness you deserve! Your time is now!