Have you ever been afraid? It is amazing how our emotions can wreck havoc with us and how we can let fear distort our clarity about reality.
Super Storm 2011 had begun on Tuesday, February 1st. Our world here in the Metroplex was covered by sleet and snow. It was bitterly cold. The next morning I was in a very deep sleep at 6:27 a.m. when I was jolted into being awake by the smoke alarm-like sound blaring loudly from the carbon monoxide detector. I knew what that sound meant; power had gone out. My first reaction was fear. I panicked. No power? It is 12 degrees out there and I have no power? My thoughts first raced to my greenhouse with my beloved plants, some of which I have had for over 40 years. I was running 2 electric heaters out there along with a propane heater. Power outage meant I had to rely only on the propane heater, which I knew would not be enough to keep the greenhouse above freezing, and we had DAYS of well below freezing weather coming.
Next I thought of keeping myself warm. Every hotel from Granbury to Denton was booked because of Super Bowl. How could I stay here and see my clients and heat a space to do that?
My dog. How will I keep my dog warm?
What about my pipes? If there is no heat in the house except my gas stove will my pipes freeze?
How will I dry my hair? I guess I could lean over the stove and dry my hair by the flames on the gas burners. How will I take a shower without it being way too cold?
Needless to say, by that time I was fully awake. I got my flashlight and called Oncor. I reached a voice recording that described “Rolling Blackouts.” I felt some relief, knowing that the power outage might be brief.
I sat at my kitchen table watching the time on my cell phone to see if it were an actual power outage or just a rolling blackout. Then it dawned on me to check my battery supply in case I needed more batteries for my flashlight. I didn’t have enough.
I live 2 miles from Cowboy Stadium. I had prepared for Super Bowl in every way imaginable. I had not prepared for an extended power outage in temperatures that were in the teens.
I didn’t need to. That is why it didn’t hit my screen to stock up on batteries.
After about 15 minutes, the much welcomed sound of the refrigerator compressor was sweet music to my ears. All electrically powered devices were running again. I took a deep breath and relaxed. Wow. 15 minutes of panic for nothing.
What I learned from this was simple yet powerful. If I need to do something, I will get a sense that I need to do it. I had had my courier double up on groceries the week before Super Storm. My conscious mind thought it was to prepare for Super Bowl. I recall telling her that “we might not be able to get to Whole Foods.” As events unfolded, the drive to Whole Foods would have been very stressful for her in that ice. What needed to be prepared for got prepared for.
Affirmation: All is well in my world. I always know what to do and when to do it. I create a wonderful life for myself here and now!
