Monday, April 16, 2007
Special Report: A Wonderful Watery Day
Dear Readers,
If you read about the massive storm in the Northeastern United States, let me tell you...they aren't exaggerating!
I got home from running errands this morning and went to check on the basement. My suspicions were confirmed... almost all the 800 or so square feet were covered in a few inches of water.
Our house borders reservoir property and there's a run off drain to protect from excessive flooding. Of course the drain itself can only take so much water. Then it starts backing up into basements...ours in particular.
This happened once last year. In May 2006 we were hit with a rain storm that broke all records for the time. And the basement got the same kind of treatment it's getting now. It took three solid days of bucket brigade work and hard labor with the wet vac to restore it to its original shape.
So much for the plans I had today, which involved a new web site by Shama Hyder and me, which all of you will LOVE!
But I've gotta tell you, I'm in an unusually good mood, even as the mold spores start to form in the basement. Let me tell you why...
There are a bunch of differences between last May and the present time, and none of them have to do with the house or the weather. They are all about my internal state.
Last year when I saw the condition of the basement I went to my angry frustrated place. The rain didn't care. It kept falling anyway. This year I saw it and moved immediately to a state of appreciation for a beautiful home, the tools to get rid of the water and a body that will let me accomplish the job.
Last year I yelled at my kids to give to assist me. My foul mood created an atmosphere of dread to add to the situation in the basement. Everyone picked up on it, including my wife who avoided me as much as possible. This time my whole energy around the job at hand was one
of a challenge. Both kids responded to it and my wife communicated quiet approval.
Last year I labored like a maniac, which is one of the least efficient ways to get the job done. I worked hard and inefficiently before I figured out the best ways to remove the water. This year the music went on, I got great suggestions from both kids and things moved along with much less effort.
Are you seeing this? It's not the task, it's how we perceive it. When we detach from the misery we've been conditioned to expect from "disasters" and shift focus to its positive aspects
everything changes.
The outside condtions change because you're in a better place to address them. You think more clearly. You react more confidently. You release the energy you need to address the situation rather than having it tied up in frustration or self-pity.
And now, after a nice lunch and chat with all of you, I'll will go back to the Hochman Family bucket brigade.
Stay Dry!
Larry
If you read about the massive storm in the Northeastern United States, let me tell you...they aren't exaggerating!
I got home from running errands this morning and went to check on the basement. My suspicions were confirmed... almost all the 800 or so square feet were covered in a few inches of water.
Our house borders reservoir property and there's a run off drain to protect from excessive flooding. Of course the drain itself can only take so much water. Then it starts backing up into basements...ours in particular.
This happened once last year. In May 2006 we were hit with a rain storm that broke all records for the time. And the basement got the same kind of treatment it's getting now. It took three solid days of bucket brigade work and hard labor with the wet vac to restore it to its original shape.
So much for the plans I had today, which involved a new web site by Shama Hyder and me, which all of you will LOVE!
But I've gotta tell you, I'm in an unusually good mood, even as the mold spores start to form in the basement. Let me tell you why...
There are a bunch of differences between last May and the present time, and none of them have to do with the house or the weather. They are all about my internal state.
Last year when I saw the condition of the basement I went to my angry frustrated place. The rain didn't care. It kept falling anyway. This year I saw it and moved immediately to a state of appreciation for a beautiful home, the tools to get rid of the water and a body that will let me accomplish the job.
Last year I yelled at my kids to give to assist me. My foul mood created an atmosphere of dread to add to the situation in the basement. Everyone picked up on it, including my wife who avoided me as much as possible. This time my whole energy around the job at hand was one
of a challenge. Both kids responded to it and my wife communicated quiet approval.
Last year I labored like a maniac, which is one of the least efficient ways to get the job done. I worked hard and inefficiently before I figured out the best ways to remove the water. This year the music went on, I got great suggestions from both kids and things moved along with much less effort.
Are you seeing this? It's not the task, it's how we perceive it. When we detach from the misery we've been conditioned to expect from "disasters" and shift focus to its positive aspects
everything changes.
The outside condtions change because you're in a better place to address them. You think more clearly. You react more confidently. You release the energy you need to address the situation rather than having it tied up in frustration or self-pity.
And now, after a nice lunch and chat with all of you, I'll will go back to the Hochman Family bucket brigade.
Stay Dry!
Larry
# posted by Larry Hochman : 9:38 AM
