Motivational Monday #78 - Rainy Days and Mondays

Today is not a typical day.  It is raining. It is windy. It is cold.  You might think this was normal, being January and all, but it is not.  In fact, we have had so much rain over the last 5 days that we are beginning to wonder if the desert was picked up and dropped in a rain forest.  Okay, maybe not really, but close.

Rainy days here in the desert are usually a treat.  They are a break from the norm. They are also a reminder that those things which we do not regularly have to think about may get a bit neglected.  I had the chance to be a in a fast food restaurant during one of the downpours and was surprised to find water pouring out of the ceiling in numerous places.  The kitchen had water everywhere and the dining room had water sloshing all over the floor.  When I mentioned they might want to get a bucket, they helplessly looked at me and said, "Why?  It's everywhere, and we are a health hazard at this point."  As we had just finished eating our food, I was a bit disturbed by this last comment.

Later, as I got to thinking about it, I realized that most of us have areas of our lives, that if tested, would be the personal equivalent of leaking roof, a flooded dining room, and a soaked kitchen.  For some of us this area is preparation.  Like the restaurant, we hope that since everything is fine when the weather is dry, it will also be fine when the weather is wet.  I guess that only works if we have recently checked the roof for leaks.

It is hard to want to prepare for rain when the sun is shining.  No one wants to be the "Gloomy Gus" or "Chicken Little" of their families.  Thinking about what can go wrong all of the time is depressing, and no one really wants to be a part of it.

This is where attitude and routine factor in.

If your attitude is one of self sufficient care, and realistic ideas, then you are a far cry from doomsayers who try and scare the world into submission.  If your goal is simply to take the steps needed to keep your family safe and comfortable during an emergency, then you can feel confident you are on the right track.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding what to do to prepare:

1. Do I have food and shelter supplies for my family if we were without electricity, or had to evacuate?
2. Are there any weather concerns that require special equipment such as generators for heat, or plywood for hurricane protection?
3. Does my family have the first aid skills needed to treat minor medical issues? Do we have an adequate supply of medications needed by each family member?
4. Do we have the financial resources to obtain extra fuel, food, water and shelter during a crisis situation?  Are some of those resources liquid, and stored at home?
5. Do we have an evacuation plan that our entire family is aware of?  Does this plan contain contacts locally and out of state?
6. Do we have the documentation needed to interact with government offices, insurance companies and banks following an emergency?

 This list is obviously incomplete, but a good place to start.  Each item requires some work, but once accomplished, will be a great step towards preparing for the upcoming "storm."  Establishing the routine of checking these details will go a long way towards keeping your family safe and protected.


I never want to find myself in the situation of the fast food place, namely, taking on water without a bucket to bail with.  If you take small steps when the sun is shining you are much more likely to stay warm and dry when those around you are wet and miserable, but as a small reminder...it isn't nice to gloat!