Mountains or Molehills?

So often we find ourselves faced with dilemmas, a crisis, or a challenge.  That’s life, right?

We’ve often heard the wisdom of “it’s how we walk through those times that defines us.”  Yeah, yeah, yeah … but when I’m knee-deep in a crisis, I am not always thinking clearly --- and, more often than not there is a sense of panic, chaos, and no semblance of logic.  Been there, as well?  Me too, and more times than I can count!

So, how do we determine what we should be “freaking out” over and what is just “small stuff?”

What are the Mountains, and what are the Molehills?

This week, all over our world natural disasters are rearing their ugly heads.  For those of us in “safe harbors,” we are affected only by what we hear, those we may know who live in, or around these areas, and as well we may be affected if we’re sensitive to the suffering of others (or have been though this ourselves at one time).

It is at these times, we get to put things in perspective.

If it’s not life-threatening, and you know it’ll pass, then it’s a Molehill … a small challenge that in short order will simply be forgotten, such as ---

-A traffic jam
-Being cut off on the highway by a “jerk”
-The flu
-A low test score
-A bad meal at a restaurant
-An argument with someone
-Bad weather

These are what I call “small stuff.”  What many are facing around our world is what I call the “big stuff.”  Natural disasters, losses beyond comprehension, death, devastation … THIS IS the “big stuff.”

The trick is knowing the difference and responding appropriately.

After losing everything I owned in a natural disaster, including the temporary loss of my health, my family’s health and all of my material belongings, I learned swiftly what life’s “big stuff” was.  Only in hindsight did I come to understand there was a gift underneath the losses, the pain, confusion and heartache. 

Even now, my responses to what others term a crisis is mild, and I’m sure it’s due to the losses and tragedy I myself endured … which, turns out made me a stronger, more solid person.  It taught me up-close-and-personal just what Mountains are and what a Molehill is.   I learned about perspective.

So, what are you sweating?  The “big stuff,” or the “small stuff?” 

I would encourage you to step back when faced with a challenging situation and ask yourself the question … is this a Mountain or a Molehill?  A good litmus test is to ask “will this matter tomorrow; how about next week, or next month --- even next year?”  If the answer is “no,” it’s a Molehill.

Walk through those smaller things with confidence that you’ve overcome much before, and you’ll overcome again.  For those at ground-zero in the midst of  chaos, my heart, my compassion and my deepest sympathies go to you during this time of uncertainty. 

I will share this with you  --- You will survive, you will be stronger, and it will end.  I promise!  Until then, hold onto those you love, and keep the faith.

If you have been weathering unexpected rainstorms, loss or tragedy, one of my favorite subjects to coach around is finding “miracles and magic in the mess” of this sometimes unpredictable and crazy life.  Feel free to drop me a line, and let’s have a conversation that matters … one that allows you to see how life can offer us lemonade from lemons, even when we at-first we cannot fathom such an outcome.