I know. You are wondering where in the world I am going with this title but hang with me! (This blog was written several weeks ago, but the reality still applies…)
As I mentioned in my last blog, things have been a bit chaotic in the Williams household the last few months. We are routine people, and we have not been in routine since…I don’t even remember when. We don’t have our regular “stuff” with us in the apartment. Mike cannot workout like normal. I wear the same 10 outfits repeatedly because most of my things are packed away. All of our apartment storage items are plastic. I am having to cook creatively because we have only a few pots and pans. Our apartment has had a continual air conditioner leak since we moved in, and the maintenance people are stretched thin. We are now counting the days to move into our new house on a chalkboard in the living room where we have the “Embrace the Crazy” sign hanging near the door.
There’s a dinosaur in Hawaii…
Why do I say that? I think sometimes we want to deny the troubles we are currently experiencing because, for the most part, our lives are pretty good. I know mine is. I think about the Ukrainian people and even those in Russia who are against this violence. I consider those in other countries where clean drinking water is lacking. I know that even in our own country that there are neighborhoods where gang violence is the norm, and it is not safe to be outside, especially at night. When I look at my current difficulties, they pale in comparison. It feels like a dinosaur in Hawaii.
But if I ignore my dinosaur and pretend he is not real, he can still do a great deal of damage to my corner of the world. Celebrating the areas where he is not wreaking havoc can help me put him in perspective. For instance, this week, I will get to spend several days with my best friend as Highlands College invites spouses to their all-team meetings, which will occur on Thursday. My birthday is coming up so we will spend time together on that day too. We should close on our house very soon, and we have some tasks to accomplish for that. So, the dinosaur is not invited!
He does, however, impact me at this moment. I have another call into maintenance, and Mike is driving my vehicle while his is being worked on. When my clothes finish in the dryer, I must find out which plastic tub they go in…
The dinosaur is part of my today. Sometimes it feels like he is roaring right in my ear, and his teeth are chomping down, but if I can focus on the good things I have going on while I work to minimize or clean up his damage, then maybe I can cope with my dinosaur in Hawaii. It is important that I acknowledge he has been stomping around because if I don’t, his damage could become worse because I was in denial about how it affected me, my attitude, my relationships, my tasks, and my spirit.
I have been on edge. Anxious. Frustrated. I do know I have a lot to be thankful for, but it doesn’t take away the reality of what I feel. I just choose to not let the dinosaur take over Hawaii. I will choose to be grateful even when life is not going according to plan.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1 New Living Translation
