Responsibility & Values

So I took a two week break from writing, at least that’s how it turned out. Seasons Greetings everyone.

I had an interesting situation this morning as I got ready to go to work shortly after 5am. It snowed all night here which left at least 12 Inches of snow on the ground if not more. I didn’t hit the snooze button this morning and instead got up right away to give myself extra time to get to work in the snow. I park my car in a parking lot behind my building which is half covererd and gated. There is a security gate that slides from left to right. So I start my car click the remote for the gate and it won’t open. Great. I dig out the gate and it opens. Get back in my car and try to drive out before it closes. That was when I got stuck. There was no way to move the car. No shovel and certainly no volunteers to come push me at 530am. I realized at this point that I was not driving to work and had to call a taxi. The problem was that I decided to leave my car where it was which meant I was likely blocking the way for anyone else to get out. At this point I am late and can’t get a hold of the person I am working with to let her know what was happening. So I was faced with the following dilemnas:

1) I was late….I hate being late and I couldn’t communicate with the person that was waiting for me possibly in the cold.

2) I had to abandon my car which would affect my neighbors in my building

3) My car was either going to get towed or I had to get it towed.

4) I had a responsibility to get to work and open the store for customers. Seriously the world ends when Starbucks doesn’t open on time…..

5) I was feeling sick and really would have rather been in bed anyway.

Now I have to say that this was all compounded by the fact that I wasn’t feeling well at all. In the end I got to work over an hour late and we got the store open. I went back later and got my car unstuck with help from a neighbour and all was somewhat good again. After all, we all have times when we need to dig out our car, what’s the big deal. Well, in the midst of this I tried to let it all go. I mean really it’s just coffee, who cares if Starbucks doesn’t open on time. Who cares about my car, it will work out in the end. So what If I end up paying towing fees. Let it go it’s not a big deal. Just go with the flow. Easier said than done.

What I realized after the dust settled is that this is a story rooted in some serious core values. I also realize I need to let things go. But seriously. I have a strong value around timeliness. I value communication. I value taking responsibility for your actions and not allowing your decisions to impact others. I value the responsibility that comes with my job and don’t like to let people down. I have come to value self care and doing what is right for yourself in the moment.

Calling it a snow day and going back to bed simply was not an option for me yet it is what I would have liked to do. So my point is that in every situation or interaction there is an opportunity to discover what is important to you. What do you value at your core? Your values are what guide you and keep you centered and strong. There is also an opportunity to respond to and change your relationship to your values and give yourself and others some room to breathe when needed which leads to balance and fulfillment. Well, yet another lesson learned. I finished my day by having some soup and climbing into bed for a nap…..

What I really needed this morning was this…..

Slow Down

At work the other day I began to notice something. We seem to be moving through life at an alarming speed. I manage a fairly busy Starbucks location and over the weekend I was surprised at people’s urgency to get their coffee. I could literally feel peoples energy moving towards the counter. The next person/s in line couldn’t wait to get to order. This was on a Sunday. I remember when nothing was even open on Sunday’s. Does that make me old? Sunday used to be a day of rest amongst other things. When stores began to open on Sundays there was a lot of controversy and rules around it. At London Drugs the automotive aisle had gates on it so that you couldn’t buy products and “work” on your car. Speaking of cars, what I am describing here is similar to that person driving behind you that just can’t wait to pass you at the first opportunity. In such a hurry, that they will pass you on the double solid.

My kids and I often have what we call “Nothing Days” where we don’t even get dressed let alone leave the house. We love it. It is refreshing, relaxing and there are no expectations.

What is the cost of all this urgency? Is something wrong? Have we forgotten to enjoy life and to simply relax? Everything is coming at us at warp speed. Faster, bigger, better.

I believe we are missing a lot in the process and becoming very out of touch with ourselves. When was the last time you connected with the person behind the counter. Or took the time to say hello to the person behind you in the line up? Or noticed the scenery as you were driving instead of talking on the phone? What are you missing by always being 5 minutes late for everything? Is your day full of tasks and lacking fulfillment?

Slow down and observe all that you are missing. Slow down and say hello to the smiling baby. Listen to the children laughing and living life in the moment. Stop and get to know your neighbor. Say hello to the person in the elevator instead of looking at the floor. Leave for work fifteen minutes earlier and enjoy your coffee. Take some time to reconnect with yourself. Eliminate some of the must do’s on your calendar and replace with what you want to do. Take the time to lookout for your fellow human beings and connect with them. Slow down and begin to notice the gifts in life that are always present. Slow down and notice your breath.

You never know, you might meet your new best friend in the process.

The Beatles – Slow Down