ICEBREAKER: WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CHILDHOOD ACCIDENT?
In a world where I did everything wrong, I can’t pick out anything particularly memorable. Except, when I was a bit older, I was driving – which means 18 since I was very late getting my license. (When you grow up in a city with public transportation there is little need.) Anyway, I went up to Algonquin Park to visit my sister at camp with one of her friends. On our return, driving my mother’s new convertible, I was going down a curve on a gravel hill and jammed on the brakes to avoid a critter (squirrel? rabbit? who knows?) and ended up in a swampy ditch. We managed to walk back to the lodge to call for help – and to call home. My dad: “Don’t worry about the car, are you and XYZ ok?” My mother: “What did you do to my car? It better not be damaged.” And so it went …
GOING DEEPER: IF YOU WERE TO GO BACK IN TIME 10 YEARS AND TELL YOURSELF ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
So many things to say! I’ll start from the top: Stop. Take a breath. Take a look around. Is this what you want for yourself, for your kids? Anger and frustration aren’t going to fix your life, it might fuel your desire for change but keep it in its place, as the power you need to make the right decisions for your family. Focus on the goal: don’t react, respond. You can’t do it alone. Put a plan together and fix this.
(Then when all the dust settles, call Bill, you aren’t related – Chris has the proof.)
