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October 2003
As some of you know,
Hurricane Isabel substantially damaged our home on September 18th.
Life since then has been rather chaotic and stressful, as we had to
clear the house (which we had moved into nine days before the storm)
of what personal items we could salvage, and move into temporary
quarters while the flood insurance process determines what will be
done to repair our home. Coaching Concepts is up and running, and I
am working out of a temporary office. You may reach me at anytime on
my cell, 410-627-2551, or leave a voice mail for me on my office
line, 410-255-9490, which I check frequently. My mailing address is
still P.O. Box 1389, Pasadena, Maryland 21123-1389.
Losing one's home is a traumatic event, and I am dealing with the
loss on many different levels: physical, emotional, logistical,
spiritual, and financial. Most of the heavy lifting (literally) is
done for now, with three moves in three weeks behind us. We are
living in three rooms (for which we are deeply grateful) and almost
all of our possessions fit into a 10 by 20 storage unit. My office
is trimmed down to the essentials, and there is something very
freeing about not having to manage hundreds of files (perhaps I'll
finally go "paperless").
There are many lessons in this time for me. First of all, I have
learned that I can let go of "stuff" (even stuff quite valuable or
sentimental to me) and be okay. I have learned that what matters
most are my relationships with those I love. I have learned that the
support and kindness of friends, family, clients, and even strangers
is like a balm to my soul. I have learned that I am stronger, more
resilient than I thought, but am at peace with the many things are
not in my power to change or impact. I have deeper respect for the
power of Nature, and I know (as one of my dear clients reminded me
so gently) that there is a divine order in this world, even in the
midst of what seems like chaos. I have learned the importance of
computer backups (all is well in the technology department). I have
learned to take one day at a time, and to not make decisions when I
am exhausted. I am learning patience, with others, the natural and
normal grief process, and myself. I have learned that having a sense
of humor is essential in difficult times, and that there are also
times when only tears can wash away the stress.
Thank you for letting me share some of my experience with you. I
hope and trust that one positive outcome of this particular part of
my journey will result in me becoming a stronger, more courageous,
and wiser person and coach.
Sharon
Sharon Keys Seal