Thursday, August 6, 2009

Remaining Flexible



We are currently experiencing a cold front. My husband said something today about snow in the mountains! What? This is August! Yes, I know we live in high elevations, but August is summer, not the start of fall. Of course this had to happen just as my family arrived to spend some time at the beach. Now, we are having to make alternative plans. The ice chest and floating toys remain with the beach umbrella, stored away.

Isn't that just the way? You make plans, have it all arranged in your mind, and when the time arrives, your plans are only a blueprint. Time to regroup, find ways to assuage your disappointment, and move on.

Maybe the man who decided to blow away all those women in the LA Fitness Center should have considered this concept. Women didn't like him? Hmmmm, I wonder why? Could he have always been a person with a "chip on his shoulder?" Always blaming someone else, in this case women, because he couldn't connect with love?

Flexibility is my word for the week. I'm working on being flexible in my thinking, in my desires, in my outlook. It's not someone else's fault I feel disappointed. I need to own my feelings. I may not have control over what happens in my life that is not in the plan, but I do have control over how I respond.

So we're off to do something different today. There is an art show in Truckee, CA, a mere twenty miles from here, or bathing-suit shopping in Reno, or a walk along the beach. Swimming will have to be another day.

But this day is perfect. Because I want it to be.

30 comments:

Expat From Hell said...

The day is indeed perfect, and just like you said: because you want it to be. Enjoy your time with the fam. The day is almost 100 here in KS, but remains perfect in my estimation.

Thanks for another inspiring post.

EFH

Anonymous said...

Yeah the weather is nuts. Its cold here today after a week long heatwave. But its good and I'm glad for it, I am not used to super hot weather anymore and so having to use a blanket last night was nice.

TheChicGeek said...

Ooooo, sounds like fun :) I love the Tahoe area...my absolute favorite! I hope to move up that way one of these years.

Have fun in Truckee! I went river rafting there one year and had a blast!

Reya Mellicker said...

I love Truckee. Always a fun visit.

And yes the weather gods do as they please without consulting us.

When I lived at Tahoe, people always said, "It can snow during every month at Tahoe." It was like a regional slogan.

~JarieLyn~ said...

I remember going through Truckee a lot during my childhood. I love small towns. Have fun.

Gemel said...

The joy of the unexpected always brings boons of happiness.....

Unknown said...

Very wise words 'This day is perfect because I want it to be'. I agree a change in the daily routine is refreshing. Great post.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I did not hear about the guy that went postal at the fitness center, but then I've been under the weather. How awful. My dad used to live in Grass Valley, which isn't far from Truckee, we used to drive there to take the kids to play in the snow. I love your outlook, it's what they mean when they say when life hands you lemons make lemonade. I know you'll have fun.

Brian Miller said...

you are right in that we have little control at times other than the way we respond. getting frustrated often leads to missing out on those unplanned moments of beauty. i still fail often...but i try to remember. smiles.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

our weather here has been really different this summer - a LOT of days the skies have seemed more like november with big dark rolling cloudbanks bringing soaking rains and cooler temps - hmmmmmm.... - anyway, hope you've a wonderful day doing whatever it is that you'll be doing, or have already done!

Anonymous said...

Cold front... you're so lucky... Those two words don't exist together in Texas. Enjoy!

L'Adelaide said...

isn't the weather weird this summer? it's been looking like rain all day and we had thunder last night! something we NEVER have. I am sure you will have a blast doing whatever, it all sounds lovely to me since you have your wonderful family with you.

great post today and definitely something I am not good at -- flexibility. I am incessantly "working" on it but never getting very good at it.
X

luksky said...

Thank you for pointing out flexibility! I need to remember that when my son arrives this week. I have a whole agenda planned, but you never know do ya?

Bogey said...

At least you were prepared to make some alternate choices available. This has been one bizarre summer. Very cool, very windy and very, very wet! I have to admit though, it has been great for sleeping.

robert said...

I guess this would be the first talk about snow I read this year. Ever since coming to Athens, make a bet on whether it will snow during the winter or not. Even though it's still August, would like to dare saying: there will be snow this year.
Please have a nice and not too cold weekend.

DJan said...

the great poet Lao Tsu said, "Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it." So perhaps your goal to become more flexible is truly to find your desire fulfilled. I am reminded that we rarely know what we really want until we either (1) don't have it, or (2) find it.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"when the time arrives, your plans are only a blueprint."

Sometimes those plans that allow for change bring in the most fun. Sometimes. Hope you have a good one.

susan said...

Staying physically flexible is an entirely different thing from staying mentally flexible. Not keeping fit will make any activity uncomfortable but avoiding the latter will kill you.

Marguerite said...

The weather has definitely been strange,this summer. I wouldn't mind a cool blast right about now. Maybe we could swap houses? Being flexible makes everything easier in life. Enjoy!

Lydia said...

A fine frame of mind, indeed!
I love Truckee...so much, in fact, that I named one of my dogs Truckee. So long ago now, but she had the beauty and personality to do the name justice.
Enjoy your company.
The shot is gorgeous.

Yunz said...

beautiful scene...!~
but i might not want to go there...
not my fav outdoor activity..^^

The Good Cook said...

I have come to realize that the more flexible I am in my plans and expectations, the happier I am. Good for you for taking it as it comes.

Sounds like great weather for a hike and great sleeping weather too!

ps. Those sandwiches? Minus the lettuce make great panninis if your craving warm food.

Mental P Mama said...

Always a wonderful lesson and daily inspiration here. And I thank you;)

Erika C. said...

I love your flexibility quote and post on this topic. So helpful and something I am continuing to try to learn.
I am not going to be able to post as much for the next couple weeks because the kids will be my focus during vacation.

The photo of the snow in the mountain is beautiful!

California Girl said...

flexibility is not a word too many embrace. I'm trying like hell to be more flexible...but is the trying making me unflexible? conundrum.

meanwhile, on the weather front, worst summer in New England since we moved 13 yrs ago. mostly rain.

one of my colleagues in Summit Co, Colorado said it snowed there last wk. He was freaked.

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I see you live in the Rockies -- that perhaps explains snow in August. If you were to travel north along the Rockies to Montana, you would find places with snow year-round. I remember falling into a snow bank to deal with false labor pains in July many years ago. I don't remember what happened to the pains; I guess they went away. But I never forgot those July snowbanks!

PeacefulWmn9 said...

I can identify! Our whole summer has been more like spring or autumn. I cannot remember one so chilly!

Karen

Bee said...

Summer is often another day here! (That line did amuse me.)

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

Awesome, awesome, and awesome. Great read.

Ambiance in the Attic said...

First time to comment but I have read your blog almost daily this past several weeks. I am the sister-in-law of expat from hell!