Turning Obstacles into Opportunity
First, I must tell you what a difference a week makes.
No one would have ever expected that a city as large as Huntsville, AL, would be shut down for almost a week due to weather.
As life returned to normal, I thought about “Turning Obstacles into Opportunity” because that was what it was for me.
For five days, from January 15, 2024, to January 19, 2024, I remained sheltered in place due to freezing temperatures and Icy roads.
According to HPD, there have been 162 weather-related accidents this week and more than 20 that involved injuries.
Drivers heating up over icy road conditions in Huntsville (waff.com)
It was apparent this past Friday, January 26, 2024, after listening to individuals during my rescheduled Doctor’s appointment. I was one of many that had to cancel during the storm. When a facility is closed for a week, you adjust. I also learned many didn’t take the storm as an opportunity to refocus.
Many who live in the Huntsville area have never witnessed being out of work, getting paid, and having nowhere to go based on road conditions.
I asked one young lady as I waited for the Doctor when was the last time, she witnessed weather like this? Her response was that “she grew up here and had never witnessed it so badly; however, she remembered it as an elementary student staying home, but not for a week.”
You and I know that history often repeats itself. I’m always amazed at how quickly we forget things, such as how the pandemic had us sheltering in place, yet people had to go out into the weather knowing the conditions were unsafe.
So that you know what Saturday (January 20, 2024) looked like from my home to traveling to Mass in Huntsville, the roads were 90% dry and clear. However, my Church parking lot was an ice staking rink with the asphalt covered with a sheet of ice with a temperature below freezing.
My Rosary partner told me she hadn’t been to the 7 AM morning Mass all week and decided to take a chance for the 5 PM Saturday Vigil Mass.
Ironically, we had a great crowd at Mass that took a chance; however, others were still stuck at home based on icy roads and slick driveways that had not been defrosted by Saturday evening.
I tell you this story because, for the most part, “The Rocket City” of Huntsville, Alabama, was an obstacle that many did not take the opportunity to use wisely based on weather conditions.
Being a Scout means being prepared, and those seven years as a Scout Leader taught me various lessons that I imparted to the youth I trained.
It’s one of those traits where I practiced and taught preparedness in young people.
Through various communication mediums, everyone in the area was told before the storm hit to be prepared and get their necessities before Sunday night.
I took that seriously and had enough to last the required time; others did not.
As always, you and I know the first things that go off the shelf are bread, milk, and eggs, which, listening to those who did not plan, witnessed the short supply during the storm.
I now have a deeper appreciation for the individuals living in the North as I made phone calls hearing that they were already two or three storms into it.
Sometimes, life throws minor inconveniences that we must overcome and take with a grain of salt, which was also required for the driveways.
Maybe there is a lesson to be learned for some to pay more attention to the weather and become more resilient in the process.
Either way, turning obstacles into opportunities is what I have learned by being prepared and using my time wisely.
What obstacles in your life have you turned into opportunities lately?
Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/turning-obstacles-into-opportunity/
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