Let Us Sustain the Spirit Gleaned from the Storm

My priorities have shifted since moving to Florida in 2007. In 2015 before putting out northern home on the market, I decided that whatever was left in it I had done without for so many years and therefore did not need any of it.   All furniture and home furnishings were first offered to family, then friends and neighbors.   I was very proud of myself for being able to let go and recognize that it was only “stuff”  and that I had moved on to a simpler life.

As Irma was developing, my husband and I soon received word that we must evacuate our condo on Venice Beach and took up the offer from a dear friend to stay at her house that is inland.  Classes at the university where I work had been cancelled and I had the time to prepare delicious cold food meals, and pack our belongings.

It was easy to decide what we needed to take; important documents only as I had let go of the need to hold on to material things. I did make sure I had taken my mother’s engagement ring which is her birthstone and I wear it on my right hand for protection.  Before living the condo, I turned and expressed gratitude for the ten wonderful years it had given us.

Hurricane Irma blew into Florida as a Category 4 storm over the Keys with winds reaching 130 miles per hour as it headed for the mainland.  In preparation for this powerful storm, people were evacuating their homes and going to emergency shelters or seeking refuge with family and friends.

All around the state, families, neighbors, and friends assisted one another by boarding up windows, removing outdoor furniture, sharing limited supplies of bottled water and food they had purchased, and praying. Government officials, first responders, and news media all collaborated in an attempt to keep everyone informed and safe.  This storm helped us shift priorities and bring out the best in people.

As it turned out, our condo was intact with no water or wind damage, and power was soon restored.  Many people were not this fortunate but this storm could have been so much worse; it will take time, but lives can and will be rebuilt. The true spirit of humanity shone through during the storm and through positive living, we can continue with this spirit.

Let’s reach out to friends and neighbors on a regular basis as we did during the storm, be grateful for God’s blessings no matter how small, always hope for the best, and act on our dreams.  Take the lessons learned from Irma to help transform your life.

Lessons from IRMA

I…Include a daily prayer of gratitude in your life

R…Reach out to others

M…Make your thoughts loving and positive

A…Awaken to your dreams and then act on them

If you enjoyed this Blog, I invite you to purchase my book: Positive Living A Through Z. It serves as a resource for helping to transform your life. Each chapter uses a letter of the alphabet to align with a theme of positive living and there are questions and exercises that address your thoughts and help you act on the changes put theory into action.  This book can be purchased through Amazon.com, or Balboa Press.

Positively yours,

Dr. Lora Kosten