The Way of the Wind-continued

April 30 The Way of the Wind- continued

Okay.  As I mentioned in the last blog, I was turning my attention toward the importance of embracing change. I had written my KeyNotes content on the changes of the wind. It was ready to publish. Suddenly, my posting was forced onto the back burner by another the shift in the wind.

Overwhelming changes have occurred over the past three weeks, bringing most of my work to a screeching halt. Two days after the storm, a new storm system arrived, taking over my body in the form of a virus which I was informed there is no antibiotic for. Adding in a high fever and traces of pneumonia, there I was, lying in bed helplessly listening to the rain pouring from the roof gutter out into the void where the spouting has been located for eighteen years. But there it was, lying in the back yard. Me and the spouting, flat on our back and we can’t do a thing bout it.

With the rain, the temperature dropped and once again, I could hear the swirling wind, as it attempted to push the cold air through the cracks of the broken window. 

So, me, the spouting, the broken window and my new companion who had no plans to be going anywhere for  long time- coughing. Relentless coughing, leading to muscle aches and strains. In denial that this couldn’t all be happening at the same time, I held onto hope. My house was coming undone and something was unraveling inside of me, yet still, hope embraced me. Today, day number 25 of this ordeal, I appear to be gradually returning to my normal routine. Unfortunately, I have lost income and the month of April just wasn’t meant to be a good one.

This time, the way of the wind paralyzed most of my activity. As I mentioned in the previous blog, embracing change is about the acceptance and learning experience at a much deeper level. When I think of the three roads trips for April, which had been scheduled for over one year, (all music performances), I believe there was a reason why I was not destined to travel. That old crazy angel I’ve written about from time to time, I’m certain that he held me captive for a greater reason than I’ll understand. As I try to understand my need to embrace change, it’s comforting to believe that I have been in the embrace of his wings.

Over these 25 days, I have been reminded of how fortunate I am to have dear friends. My mother’s friends and neighbors who checked in on me with their homemade remedies, chicken and noodles and tea seemed to be the best medicine. The loving smiles of my lifetime pals brought me back. Text messages sure come in handy when you completely lose your voice! It did get a little scary for a few days. I’ll admit that.

Tomorrow is day 26. April is almost over. I’m waiting to hear from the insurance company and I am so grateful to have made it to this point. There was a reason for all of this. It’s almost May and I’m ready to move on. Let’s go!

The Way of the Wind

April 10  Embracing Change

The Way of the Wind

In the early 1990s, I penned a ballad titled, The Way of the Wind.
It begins with the first verse:
“Have you noticed a change today?
Not often that you’ll hear me say
It’s too still and that’s not the way of the wind”

Ironically, I had scheduled the title of this week’s blog, Embracing Change, several weeks ago. Who would have predicted that in less than 15 days my refrigerator would break down followed by a sudden storm that would wreak havoc across the Midwest, causing damage to the exterior of my house?

Dear wind, my fickle friend, I love to listen to your whispers and cries, your anthems and operettas, but this time, you drove a few crescendos over the edge, carrying my spouting system with you.

“We have an overwhelming number of people to respond to. Your state has been declared a catastrophic area of storm damage,” said the insurance claims representative. “Okay,” I replied. What else could I say? I’ll wait. I’ve spent the last two weeks without a functioning refrigerator, living on peanut butter sandwiches, soup and fresh fruit. I can do it.

Incidents like these remind us that we can never be completely ready for what’s heading our way around the bend. Some are head on, directly in our path. However, in our hearts and minds there is a safety net, the ability to accept the hands we are dealt and find a way to move on.

Truly embracing change is at a much deeper level. There are blessings received, if you will, lessons learned when you are attentive to how you react to sudden incidents, how you respond in urgent situations. How are you doing? How are you thriving through any adversity? When you embrace change you comprehend that there are just some things that don’t have to be fixed or resolved immediately. Tomorrow really is another day, especially if your plate is full right now.

The spouting isn’t going anywhere. It’s not twisting in the wind, creaking and swinging back and forth. My house doesn’t appear to have been involved in a disaster. The spouting is lying quietly on the ground, even though it appears to be staring back at me when I look at it through the window, as if to ask me what I’m going to do about it.

I’m still sealed up tight with regard to the windows, no heat loss and protected from the cold bitter wind that has exchanged roles with the previous storm. The cold is the most recent change. If it helps to cope, I can convince myself that this is one last chance to appreciate the crispness and briskness, since heat and humidity will be here before we know it. Don’t get me started!

Instinct or Logic?

     According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “instinct” is defined as a way of behaving, thinking or feeling that is not learned; a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way; something you know without learning it or thinking it; a natural ability. “Logic” is defined as reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.

When you find yourself at a crossroad in life and need to choose which direction to take, do you make that decision based on instinct or logic? If you trust your own judgment and rely on your inner voice as a guide, instinct is the key. Maybe you’re someone who needs more evaluation and testing the water before you point toward your chosen path.

Your comfort zone is important. You remain positive and more confident when you trust your way of making decisions, especially if those decisions have been the right ones. 

If your reasoning strategies are not working for you or leading you off of your path into a virtual wilderness, it’s time to change strategy. More than likely, our intuitive talents will never steer you wrong, but you can always try both and see what feels right.

Once you head in that new direction, you’re committed, but hopefully, in time you can turn around. As I’ve learned, trim your sails and change course.

I’ve never met a person who claimed they’ve never, ever made one mistake in their life. Some of the greatest lessons we learn are born from our mistakes, big or small. However, don’t insist on forcing yourself like a square peg into a round hole. Weigh the pros and cons when making a large purchase like a home or car, maybe even a new refrigerator. Have you seen the latest models on the showroom floor? Do you really need a $3,000 refrigerator?

When it’s possible, take a practice swing, measure the distance and sink that thirty foot putt! Instinct or logic may not have anything to do with some decisions, just pure luck. Still, YOU are the Key!

“Trust instinct to the end, even though you can give no reason.”
                                                                                                  . . . Ralph Waldo Emerson

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