Staying grateful in a pre-hurricane setting

Inspiration

By: Don Lindsey.

Over the last couple of days, I, like the rest of our community, have been busy gearing up for Hurricane Irma. Between stocking up on provisions, getting a plan together for the various issues that these storms bring, and starting my regiment of chemotherapy, I have arrived to the end of my week exhausted, but also with a sense of gratitude for the blessings in my life. As it turns out, the possibility of facing something potentially life threating makes me recognize how much I value life and everything in it.

I didn’t start out with this attitude early in the week. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until Friday night that I started to realize just how much I have to be grateful for. Frustration, sickness and fear of what Irma may bring clouded a lot of my mindset through most of the last few days but as I sat quietly last night trying to calm my mind down enough to sleep, I started to understand that I wouldn’t have gotten through my week if it had not been for my wife, kids, parents, friends, and family.

My wife did all she could this week to make sure that things were running as smoothly as possible. Between working on preparations for the coming storm, running around to multiple places after work looking for food, water and other supplies, she has taken a ton of the load off of me and most of it without me even realizing that she was doing it. My kids have stepped up as well, and have been doing everything that they can to make sure my parents are alright, and that also takes a lot off of my daily to-do list. These examples along with the constant love and support that I receive from my mother and father have allowed me to get past what has been a difficult time. I may have not understood that when the week started, but now I can see that leaning into these people, who are the biggest blessings that I’ve been given, will be one of the main reasons I continue to get through difficult situations.

My biggest personal issue has always been that I tend to get so wrapped up in my to-do list and daily activities that I miss important moments, lessons, and events occurring around me, which leaves me regretting that I wasn’t paying attention. I wrote about this a couple of columns ago, and spoke about the significance of taking a few minutes to enjoy the things around you. I find myself in that place again, but thankfully know how to correct that issue. I simply need to relax and slow down enough to see how many wonderful people and things I have around me. Staying grateful seems to ground me in the things that are important and those frustrating moments that come with day to day life, do not seem all that important.

As our state prepares for one of the most potentially damaging hurricanes it’s ever seen, I pray that we all hold on to our blessings and come out of this trying time safe and secure. God Bless.

Don Lindsey is a follower of Christ, son, husband, father, and a survivor. Originally from Dayton Ohio, and resident of Apopka for six years, Don sees his life as a dedication to his wife, parents, children,and community.