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Health & Fitness

How to Deal With a Crisis

Don't you hate that sheepish feeling you get when the worst is over and it was nowhere near as bad as you made it out to be?

 

I know what you’re thinking. Oh, God. Not another one of those how-to rants.

The difference between what I’m doing and those other how-to guys is I actually haven’t made it through my present crisis. When you read a how-to, it’s usually by somebody who has how-to’d their way out of out of whatever it is they’ve had to how-to out of. The titles should be more like “How I Dealt with a Crisis.”   

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Writing a how-to in the midst of the storm is about confidence and strength during the storm. It’s saying,” There’s no way this is going to get me! I was sick-worried last time, and I came out bigger and badder than before.”

Since I’ve gained a slight glimpse into the nature of the human condition, I know most of you may be wondering about the particulars of my so-called crisis.

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My current crisis is not the worst crisis I’ve undergone, and it isn’t the most insignificant either.

Because I’m an idealist and feel I must live the principles I preach, I had no choice but to quit my previous job (see last post). My exit from said job just happens to coincide with my also having to find another place to live. My roommate is moving and the house must be left vacant. So my next trick will be to convince someone why I would make a reliable source of rent income considering, (1) I have no job or, (2) (best case scenario) I’ve had the present job for only two weeks.

The job thing wouldn’t be such a big deal if I was like every other normal person and would just learn to suck it up and deal with working a semi-lousy job. But since I’ve become a snooty idealist, I’ve become more picky with how I’d like to earn money. My trained background has a few options it can offer, but I need a big flashlight and a touch of God’s favor to get me into the crevice of the industry where I may be content until I can get paid to type on a keyboard. 

On top of the job/living arrangement dilemma, I have a few social-circle quirks which bother the sentimentalist in me. It turns out 31 is a terrible age to be if you’re not married and your friends are. It’s as if marriage-to my friends- is a contract they signed which vetoes any power and desire they may have had to spend time with their single friends. It appears the contract mandates all their activities take place in a couples setting. And though we live within ten minutes of each other, the contract prohibits any contact whatsoever. The ridiculousness of it all is beyond perplexing. I’ve heard of such things happening, but I considered it too ludicrous to happen to me and my friends. Tally another up to Naive.

So here I am, riding over another speed bump in the road of life. But unlike last time, I’m not going to pout and whine (unless of course, it’s on a keyboard via a Patch blog). I’m going to remind myself of the good things I have going for me. I’m also going to use this opportunity to learn a lesson and adapt. Thanks to the last crisis, I learned about certain aspects of life and myself. And because of that, I have a buffer and stored weapons I didn’t have before.

There are quite a few things I’m excited about.

I finally printed the first copy of a manuscript I’ve been working on for over a year (Scoundrels and Megaphones: a Series of Biased Rants). I am one phone call away from having the opportunity to work in my underwear.

Secondly, the lack of character on my friends' part has pushed me to venture out and develop relationships with wonderful people I wouldn’t have taken the time to know otherwise.

Thirdly, the group of artists I lead at church are making strides on an awesome project and I’m truly blessed to have ignited the spark that fired up the whole thing.

Also, I never take for granted my wonderfully dysfunctional family who would more than love to feed and give me a bed to sleep on should I require such things.

The worst of fears rarely come to pass. Everyone’s worst fear is they’re going to end up homeless and have to fight pigeons for bread crumbs. But how often does that actually happen? 

It’s important to keep a level head because it will help you navigate through the maze. A level and confident attitude helps one think more clearly. It’s better to interview for a job with a sense of confidence than it is with a raunchy stench of desperation. Desperation indicates you have no faith in your abilities, and no faith that God will work on your behalf. I hate it when I doubt God and then something weird and miraculous happens and I feel all sheepish.

I’m celebrating and giving praise before I’m out. Before the rain stops. Before that phone call. Before the advance.

I was wonderfully and fearfully made by the same Being who made the Universe. I think it’s safe to deduct I wasn't made for failure.

Let’s act like winners even though the game is still being played.

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