Create an Attitude of Possibility to Get through the Storms
An attitude of possibility creates a way to move forward even when you are going through a storm. You will find what you are looking for and when you look for possibility then you will find that all things become possible.
Inspiration and Hope
May 11, 2020
Daily Dash of Twisted Encouragement
Attitude of Possibility
The side of the house shifted. Doors that had opened now refused to comply. Doors that hadn’t budged before now hung open wide. Every breeze caused you to pause and look around wondering when the house would collapse around you – or worse, on you!
The 2011 Tornado Outbreak through Alabama required us to rebuild our home. The next several years left us with many changes, but things were FINALLY settling. I had been using the crazy downtime to get rid of the last few boxes of stuff stacked around the house.
The Easter tornadoes left us having to rebuild again.
When I messaged a friend, she asked how many boxes I had in the house. That’s when I remembered – every time I have gotten down to three boxes, something happens that leaves me with stacks of stuff everywhere.
I did a mental count and realized I was down to three boxes.
I know better.
The tornado hit during the night, leaving us in the dark. The next day we had returned only long enough to grab up some necessities. It was the first time we were able to get a good look at what we were up against and what we had survived.
It wasn’t pretty.
We took it all in. We made some notes. We got to work. That’s all that you can do when something happens. No matter how bad it feels or looks, eventually, you have to get back to work.
Storms happen. Damage occurs. Sometimes it’s a matter of picking up limbs and debris from the yard. Other times we are forced to watch as things that had once stood strong began to collapse around us.
Steps to An Attitude of Possibility
No matter the size of the storms or the results they leave behind, your attitude and focus will make the difference in how it all works out.
1. Find a routine. I love to keep things different, and I’ve never been a fan of a schedule – mainly because having a schedule sounded restrictive to me. What I learned over the years (especially 17 years of homeschooling while building a freelance writing career) was that a schedule didn’t have to be set in stone. It simply provided a map to where I wanted to go.
We need order in our lives, even amid chaos. We found ourselves displaced from our home in the middle of a nationwide lockdown. Normal seemed impossible – and normal was impossible. Balance, on the other hand, is always possible, and balance will be found in routine.
Waking up at 4 am and staring with a fresh cup of coffee provided me with the balance I wanted. Even the hotel staff began to recognize my need for fresh coffee first thing in the morning. The wonderful ladies started making a fresh pot each morning. The little bit of routine made things so much better.
2. Be hopefully realistic. Dare to believe more than you can see. Be willing to give weight to the truth of your moments. The power of belief grows up hope, and hope makes all things possible.
Truth clears the way for purposeful action, and purposeful action is the only way to get there – no matter where your there might be.
I dare to believe each day that the insurance issues will be cleared up and done now. I am realistic in understanding that the recovery will take time and be a series of “one step” moments and will take up to 12 months. I already have a contingency plan for the holidays.
3. Focus on the little bits. There may be a lot to do, but you can’t do it all at once (no matter how good or how focused). Trying to do it all will break you and your break will likely take down the people around you as well.
Every time we drive out to the house – EVERY, SINGLE TIME – we are bombarded with all that needs to be done. Running through all of those things leaves us wanting to pack it up and call it quits. It’s too much.
Focusing on one little bit makes it possible. Focusing on one little bit gives us a little bit of control. Focusing on one little bit and getting that one little bit done provides a feeling of accomplishment that motivates us to keep moving forward.
The walls continue to shift, so the insurance adjuster ordered a structural engineer to come check it out. We aren’t supposed to do anything to the house until the engineer has a look. We are left with nothing to do but to watch that side of the house slowly crumble.
We could focus on what we can’t do. We could focus on what we can’t control. If I am honest, then there are moments – and days – when those “can’t” focus thoughts block the view of everything else. Those are the days and the moments when I am snappy and ornery.
The weather, the storms, the added challenges of the lockdowns, quarantines, and economic struggles make it even more difficult. Things that might have been simple before now are taking more effort and more time – neither of which we think we have.
We could focus on what isn’t going the way we want, and that would increase the frustration and annoyance. It wouldn’t get anything done any faster either – if anything, frustration and annoyance slow things down or derail them altogether.
You have a choice – choose to do what you can do, or you can whine about what you can’t do.
Be actively invested in gaining a routine. Target hopeful realism. Embrace the little bits.
Dare to Stand Through the Storms
Build your foundation so you can stand firm against the storms. Purchase your downloadable eBook – STAND – for only $5 and begin firming up your foundation.
Challenge for Intentional Actions
An Attitude of Possibility
Find a routine
Be hopefully realistic
Focus on the little bits.
The choices you make will determine the path you take. Make the choice to develop an attitude of possibility.
Quote of the Day
“IF may be half of life but never let IF control your life.” – Kathryn Lang
Chose to go. Choose to do. Choose to move. It is the only way you will ever get there. It doesn’t have to be big to make a difference. A little bit of movement will get the ball rolling. You do have to recognize that until you get going you will never be able to reach your destination.
How can you get going today?
What Others Say
Scripture Focus
Today’s Readings:
Numbers 10 – 12
1 Chronicles 26 – 29
Ezekiel 37 – 40
Proverb 11
Scripture Focus:
“Be strong and courageous and do it. Fear not, nor be dismayed. The Lord, God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you.” – from 1 Chronicles 28:20
Ponder Point:
When you have God on your side – because you are walking in obedience to His Way – then there is nothing to fear. God will not fail you. God will not forsake you.
Share Moment:
What fear are you letting keep you from stepping into your purpose.
Study Question
Dig in deeper to the Word to grow a closer relationship with the Word.
Stuff can make you lose your focus.
How can you push back against a stuff mindset?
Join us over at the Practical Proverbs Facebook page for daily Scripture prompts and thoughts.
Join in the Study!
Bible Study and Journal
Your daily prompts and readings are now available in journal form.
Order from Amazon
Lend Your Support
You can help Kathryn share stories of hope and inspiration with a dash of twisted encouragement.
OR
Join the Encouragement Club
Become a member to get regular infusions of courage to live bold and purposeful lives. You can also give a gift of encouragement by signing up a friend for a monthly membership.
