What Hurricane Matthew Taught Me
I wanted to share with you 3 things I've learned from Hurricane Matthew and how they relate to business, being an entrepreneur and business owner.
Living in South Florida we prepared for the arrival of what was to be Category 4 - Hurricane Matthew. I am not sure if you ever prepared for a hurricane but it is like preparing for Thanksgiving dinner and moving all at the same time while anticipating that you will be without power for days to weeks. Not much fun, but when I think about living in Tornado Alley I will take a hurricane any day instead. We cooked any meat or foods that might spoil if the power went out (my first hurricane I downed a quart of ice cream to avoid it from melting after the power went out), waited in gas lines to assure we had fuel, bought ice to keep food cold, cleaned the house, did the laundry, bought dog food and of course tidied up the yard assuring we eliminated anything from becoming a projectile missile from the harsh winds. Let’s not forget putting up the hurricane shutters, who needs crossfit after that! What you really need is a pain reliever and heating pad!
So for those of us living in South Florida the hurricane took a turn and completely missed us. It was not so kind to other areas. After the fact, I heard quite a few people in South Florida complaining. They said things like, “well, that was all for nothing. That was a waste of time.” I heard expressions of frustration, exasperation, and annoyance I get it, it took a lot of time and a little elbow grease to get things done but for me I felt strong sense of gratitude for many things.
Because of Hurricane Matthew:
I got to see my dad and stepmom. They flew in from CT to be with my step-mother’s parents who are in their 80s. They weren’t willing to evacuate and my stepmother was super concerned. I hadn't seen my dad and stepmom in almost a year, and we didn’t have any immediate plans to see one another.
I saw neighbors helping neighbors. We are blessed to live in a community where we talk with at least 1 of our neighbors daily.
I also got to spend time with my grandparents who are also in their 80s. I helped them getting down on the ground unscrewing and removing the hurricane panels. They have done and given so much to me in my life; it was nice to give back.
As I was driving to and from Melbourne, FL I also noticed that there were droves of power & light, tree removal truck, and other trucks traveling to places that were hit hard by the hurricane. I felt such gratitude for these people that they are willing to leave their own families to be gone for days and weeks to assist others.
I was also extremely grateful to know how many people were donating the food they had bought in preparation for the hurricane to other countries like Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.
In our times of struggle and frustration we have a decision to make and a path to choose. We can choose to be frustrated and overwhelmed or we can choose something else. As entrepreneurs, the game of being a business owner can be wrought with MANY struggles (and this I know), and we have choices to make.
We can look around and see what we are grateful for and what new experiences this “struggle” has brought us.
We can let others know we we are struggling with and how they can help. Of course, that means we have to open ourselves up to accepting that help.
What I most realized is how much abundance there is and how people want to help one another.
K2 Visionaries and The Private Practice Startup were created with YOU in mind. We get how lonely and frustrating at times being a solopreneur or entrepreneur can be especially when you weren’t taught about business. We want you to know that we have your back. We want to know what you struggle with and are overwhelmed with so we can help shoulder that and support you.
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