There is a way out of every box. It’s just a matter finding it. –Jean-luc Piccard
We are right in the middle of the 50th birthday party circuit and it has been a glorious run so far. What a great time to celebrate and give thanks for the great friends and loving family who have made the first half of our lives so memorable. And this past Saturday night was a particularly enjoyable gathering of close friends. Followed by slightly rocky Sunday morning.
After getting up early to chauffeur the kids to their various commitments, I decided to stop in and get a steam at a local health club. The room was virtually deserted and I cranked up the pressure full-tilt to maximize the experience. The steam poured out and and the magical powers of the hot mist washed over me.
But five minutes later, I opened my eyes and could not see a thing! The steam was so thick and dense, and the heat so severe, I had trouble breathing. To further complicate matters, I was disoriented and couldn’t find the door. Was this how it all ended?
A slight panic set in. But I took a deep breath and slowly and calmly felt around the edges of the room for the door. Logically, I knew there was a way out. After all, I had just entered minutes ago. And, sure enough, after a few more seconds, I found the handle and pushed my way out into the light. Victory!
I wonder how many of us, at some point, feel similarly disoriented and blinded during the challenging parts of our lives? And how many of us keep things in perspective and stay calm to find a way out?
We Need to Have Faith
Perspective and patience are critical in times of stress. Perhaps our deal is going south. Perhaps our career is at a dead end. Perhaps we are drowning in debt. Perhaps we are not getting the playing time we think we deserve. Perhaps our grades have hit rock bottom. The steam feels thick and overwhelming. We can’t see any way out. Panic is a natural reaction. But that is the last thing we need to do.
We need to step back and slow things down. How did we end up here? There was a time when every deal was clicking. There was a time when we felt energized by our vocation. There was a time when we had our finances under control. There was a time when we were in the coaches favor or excelled in the classroom. Our situation was not always this way. We came through the door and entered the full steam and darkness at some point. So there must be a way back to the light!
The Darkness is Only Temporary
The steam can feel particularly disorienting in our relationships. Family disagreements can wipe away years of general harmony. Different philosophies on parenting and discipline can plunge the most harmonious spousal relationships into chaos. Parent-child discord can escalate throughout the teenage years. We no longer see each other’s point of view. We feel alone and isolated in the fog. We can’t imagine any way out of the darkness.
But we have to remember that this is not the way things have always been. There was a time when we would do anything for a family member. There was a time when we cherished the shared goals and values of our spouse. There was a time when we carried our child in our arms (and he or she did not talk back!). The strife and heartache are just a temporary blip, not a permanent condition. We cannot succumb to the intense heat! We can and will find our way out.
Action Unlocks the Door
But how can we believe in a way out when we can’t see our hand before our eyes? How can we stay resilient when the walls seem to be closing in? We have to stay calm. We have to maintain perspective. And then we have to take action.
Action is the key to finding the light. We know that handle is out there. So we have to find it and kick the door open! There are no impossible situations.
Take a fresh approach with your clients. Research different careers that align with your interests. Find alternative revenue streams. Double down on your training and your studies. Find common ground in your relationships.
Nothing will happen if we sit back and let the steam overwhelm us. Action is the only way out of any box.
Our lives can get overwhelming at times. But none of us are permanently trapped in the steam room. We have to keep the faith. In difficult times, there is ALWAYS a way out. We just need to calmly search, find the handle, and step into the light.