The Awful and Awesome of Issac

This morning I awoke to learn that Tropical Storm Issac had knocked out power at home and the office. For a storm so feared by many and covered so thoroughly by the media, this result was a minor inconvenience. In fact, it gave my wife, Holly, and I the perfect excuse to walk to the restaurant in our neighborhood for breakfast, allowing us to enjoy some “bonus” time together. What a truly awesome thing to have no power!

Yes, Issac is a serious storm that’s having an impact on many people, and there will be damage and loss, both of which are truly awful. Yet, awful events always present awesome opportunities. Whether you are directly or indirectly impacted by something awful, be it big or small, take the time to ask yourself what is the awesome opportunity at hand. Be it a mistake with a client that allows you the opportunity to enhance your relationship, an awful conversation with an employee that presents the awesome opportunity for deeper understanding, or a fire in your kitchen that allows you to rebuild it into the showplace of your dreams, awful events are always the chance to create an awesome outcome.

Looking at it that way…now that’s truly awesome!

Comment by Amber on August 27, 2012 at 6:13pm: Good to hear you didn't get much damage from the storm - us here in Baton Rouge are waiting to find out what we get! In the 15+ years we have lived here, we always find ourselves so thankful to not have had much hardship or damage from any of the storms. After the initial impact, we seem to be able to find ways to make any impact work in the positive - new roof (ours was old), new fence looks so much better then the old one, etc.

After Katrina, the company I worked for at the time really did a lot to provide services and financial support to the affected employees, and being able to offer emotional support to colleagues was invaluable, I learned how strong so many of the people I knew for years really are!

Comment by Scott Wintrip on August 28, 2012 at 10:54am: Amber,

I'm so glad you bring up the people of Louisiana as an example as they exemplify the fact that within every awful situation, big or small, there is an awesome gift waiting to be grabbed.

Good luck and may Issac bring only beneficial rains!