Find the Gift Already!

So here’s what I’m noticing.  Here in southwestern Ontario we’ve all been preparing for a major snowstorm — lots of snow, blizzard-like winds, freezing temps — the sort of stuff that makes the roads dicey to say the least, if not entirely undriveable (I know, it’s not a real word, but you get my point).  The sort of weather where it really does feel better to stay in your jammies, cuddle up under a blanket with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and just read a good book.  No matter how bad the weather, however, it doesn’t happen all that often that employers close their doors or reduce their open hours — after all, there’s stuff to do, work to be completed, etc; etc;.

Well, as circumstances would have it, our particular geographical area has had a few of these crazy-weather days in the last two months, AND our schools have actually been closed for 6 of those thus far, including today (5 were before the Christmas break).  Many services and business operations also closed their doors based on the weather which was sometimes predicted to be worse than actually transpired.  Which doesn’t really bother me; I’d rather have people be safe than sorry, and I know that we can only make decisions to the best of our ability with the information that we have at hand.

Here’s the thing:  it would appear that many people — actually, a LOT of people — cannot take the gift that’s been handed them, namely an unexpected, unplanned day to relax and rejuvenate, without griping about how they’ve got far too much work to do and don’t have time for this.  I know, I can be just as guilty of this sort of thing.  What I know for sure, however, is that the “work that has to be done” can actually wait.  Even if there’s a deadline attached, there really isn’t anything that’s indelibly carved in stone.  Deadlines can be changed, the world will not stop if a deadline is missed, believe it or not the sun will rise again — even if you stop and take the gift of this day and just go nurture whatever other aspect of your life needs to get nurtured.

I think the challenge in this is that those of you in leadership positions have got to lead the way.  You’ve got to be a model of working efficiently for sure, however, you’ve also got to model being relaxed enough to go with the flow, to trim your sails to match the wind, to show those following you that you can find the gift — the opportunity — in every situation and make the best of it.  This isn’t about being a Pollyanna; this is about taking whatever circumstances  you’re given, being grateful for it and embracing the gift therein, knowing that the regular routine will resume sooner than you realize.

Bottom-line:  I know you’ve got stuff to do, people to meet with, issues to resolve.  Let it go for a day.  Whether it’s the weather or illness or being needed by your family, quit griping about “having to stay home” and just do it already.  Embrace the gift of the situation — more rest, more family time, the opportunity to bake or meditate — and know that you’ll move on when you move on. Don’t look a gift-horse in the mouth — even when (especially when!) the gift-horse is the universe or mother nature.