Can you feel it?  Is your hand poised over the panic button while beads of sweat begin to form on your furrowed brow?    Have you noticed you can’t stay focused on anything for more than a few seconds at a time?  Was it you who just asked your boss to repeat what he anxiously just aked you to do?  And why is nothing tasting or smelling good to you the last few days?  Sounds like stress toxins are flowing full tilt throughout your body!  Is fear at the front desk registering for an extended stay? 

What’s going on?  Well, it might have something to do with the future.  You know - the one you learned to control/affect with a few well-timed screams while still in diapers - the one you’ve been planning and working and hoping for since you gave up beer pong as your favorite college weekend sport?  Need I remind you that human beings - at least those of us of the American variety - have developed a nasty habit of wanting and expecting to control everything in our lives, especially when it comes to “future.” 

Then along comes something like the demise of our largest, most sacred financial institutions coupled with a complete meltdown of the system that sustains nearly all small and large business activity and all our hopes and dreams appear have been extinguished - in a matter of just a few days.

Mom!  Please, wake me up!  I’m having a bad dream!

Do I have any advice for you in these troubled times?  Is there a way to minimize the negative impact?  I’m glad you asked!  This is the perfect way for me to remind me what works and what I need to do.  It’s kind of like sitting on the chair and lying on the couch at the same time. 

The first step is acceptance.  It’s harmful both short-term and long-term to tense up and resist what is happening, what is so.  I’m not talking about endorsing or approving of the situation.  Regardless of who or how it was created, this crisis is here.    Embrace - accept - that fact so we can begin to move beyond it.

Secondly, study it so as to fully understand your options.  Ask questions.  Resist running in the opposite direction.  Resist formulating an opinion.  You’ll end up spending way too much time and energy on defending an ill-informed point of view.  Knowledge combined with acceptance is power. 

Next, get moving quickly on a solution or series of actions tied to your personal goals.  Don’t wait for a perfect plan.  It’s more important to feel like you’re doing something constructive.  Mid-course corrections are key to getting where you want to go. 

Embrace the present!  We may be in for a rocky journey, but life is always about now.  Don’t miss out on the process, the now moments vs. praying on a big pay-off at the end.   

Finally, give - unconditionally - to others.  Don’t wait for the right time, the right circumstances, or the right recipient.  Lots of people need your help.  Giving is the fastest, most effective way I know to appreciate having without wanting more.    

“Thanks, Steve!  I needed that!” declared Steve.

This blog entry was hastily put together.  I welcome your comments.