Being Flexible Helps to Handle Unfulfilled Expectations
August 9, 2007
Yesterday (August 8th) was our 10th Anniversary. (Hurray for us!) 
On the way to celebrating our big plans in Salt Lake City we reminisced about our previous anniversaries; B&B’s, camping trips, fancy dinners…but how could we forget our 4th anniversary? That’s when our celebration plans fell short when our babysitter called and said we needed to take our 1 year old son to the ER to get stitches. Ironically tonight history repeated itself and before we could get to the restaurant, our babysitter called (a different one!) and said we needed to come home because our now 7 year old son needed stitches! (Was that Law of Attraction at work or is he just a show-off on his bike?) He’s only had stitches 2x, both on our anniversaries! I felt bad my son got hurt, but I was sure disappointed that it happened when we were already 1 hour away and all dressed up for our romantic evening out! Just finding the babysitter was a miracle in and of itself!
As I sat in the ER for a few hours with nothing but ratty old magazines to look at (donate yours, they need them badly!!) I thought about “unfulfilled expectations” and how important it is to be flexible…particularly as a wife, mother and entrepreneur! It really wasn’t a choice to shift gears from date night to hanging out at the hospital…when your child needs you, you just go. But I don’t think it’s always easy to “shift gears” like that…particularly with business.
I had to shift gears again when I got home at 2am (couldn’t sleep yet) and checked my email to read that Entrepreneur.com had to cut my section out of the upcoming article because they were beyond “word count”… disappointing, yes–I had visions of meeting new members and finding new readers…but I understand they have requirements and there’s never any promises with press; I’m honored they considered our site/story and now we’re on their radar. The goods news is that the writer’s still trying to find another time or place to squeeze it in. Regardless, over the last week I’ve become friends with her and that’s a gift in and of itself.
I think the secret is remembering that there is no “ideal”, we’re all just doing the best we can with what we have to work with. Often times our setbacks are gifts–to allow us to consider a different perspective or seek out an opportunity to learn something else.
Today’s Magic Wand: Think of a time when you’ve been able to bounce back after a setback by being a creative problem solver or being flexible. How does it make you feel when you’re resilient? And when you’re not? How can you prepare to be “more flexible” for when life takes a sudden turn or your anniversary plans suddenly end up needing stitches.
Kelly,
Wow, that is quite a story and a night! I’m glad it worked out alright. It now an even more memorable anniversary.
A few weeks ago I was getting on the freeway when I ran over a small object in the road. It was a piece of wood. It got lodged under my car and needed to pull off immediately. I hate pulling off the road on the freeway because it’s dangerous. I was on my hands and knees trying to get under the car to dislodge the wood.
For a minute I felt sorry for myself. I’m thinking who can I call? I wish a man could come help me (I hate car problems). Then I bucked up and thought, I’m going to do this.
I walked and found a piece of drywall on the side of the road. I used it to move the wood to where I could get it. It wasn’t easy – that piece of wood was really stuck. But I drove away thinking, what a woman! I did it. Small thing but I realized that I can take care of things – even things I don’t like taking care of.
Long story but our perspective on situations makes a big difference in what we learn. You could think you ruined your anniversary. Or, that your son is a gift in your family and marriage so it’s great he’s taken care of.
Janet
Good for you with being brave and fixing your situation…glad you were protected while you solved your problem, could have been really dangerous! AAA is a great resource for road issues, FYI!
You’re right…we are grateful for our son and what he means to our marriage. We are blessed!
Wow – the stitches once would have sent to tears, but a second set and then the Entrpreneur.com article. You have a fabulous attitude and you are correct – sometimes are failures become our reasons for our biggest successes (or something like that). Tomorrow is a new day, and if you are on her radar you will STAY on her radar. I got into the Wall St. Journal from a comment I had made to a reporter 11 mons earlier – so it can happen! I’ll cross my fingers there is not a THIRD trip to the ER in your future…:)
Thanks Jamie, we’re hoping for a peaceful evening out this weekend.
I’m hopeful about Entrepreneur.com not only for my radar but also for amazing stories of our members we can potentially pitch to them.
Kelly,
Consider this the dress rehearsal for an even bigger and better event.
Thanks Amanda, great perspective!
[...] Being Flexible Helps to Handle Unfulfilled Expectations [...]
somewhere where the L-rd closes a door, He opens a window
gp in montana
So true, GP!
In my case He usually remodels and provides a whole new wing to my “house!”
You’re not going to believe this but we tried to getaway again last night and drove to Park City (1 hr) plus got a couple to stay with our kids for 24 hours so we could enjoy it and when we got there it was overbooked…in fact the WHOLE state is overbooked for a convention in SLC (how did we ever manage the Olympics?) So we ate at a nice restaurant and went home only to scare our babysitter because she didn’t answer the phone and was in our basement and didn’t answer the door either! Crazy 10th Anniversary we’ve had! Not what I expected it to be but, we handled it with lots of chocolate and listening to lots of QUEEN on the way home “We are the Champions…we’ll keep on fighting to the end.”
I love the quote:
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”
This is something I am personally trying to work on.
Way to go Kelly, you handled yourself well. And happy 10th anniversary. Can’t believe it’s already been ten years since I watched you two ride away in that horse and carriage.
That’s a great quote, Deborah!
You know, when you’re able to laugh about a challenge it does make it easier! I’ve been laughing a lot lately.
It really is amazing that we’ve been friends for 13 years and you’ve been a part of major events with us–including our marriage!