Hurricane Ian has destroyed much, but we carry on. Many of us still have no power, water, facilities, phones, or clear roads. If we’re lucky, we have only a lot of clean up and inconvenience.
Our COS leaders are concerned about all our members and trying to complete wellness checks. Here is an online survey. It may not be your top priority, but please let someone in COS know you are OK when possible.
Resilience is a state of mind.
According to researcher Al Siebert in his book The Resiliency Advantage, We the Resilient think of ourselves as superheroes, not victims. We are flexible, curious, effective, positive, and appreciative. We believe that we are in control and can handle whatever comes our way.
We survivors are positive thinkers, AKA optimists. We avoid the three Ps of pessimism. We know that this situation is not Permanent, it is temporary, and it will pass. We recognize that our current problems are not Pervasive, that is, not involving every aspect of our life. For example, we may have no septic, but our friends and loved ones are praying for us. It’s sometimes hard to fathom, but tragedy is not Personal. It is not only happening to me, and it’s not my fault. (Martin Seligman, Learned Optimism)
Posted in COS Florida SLACK by Susan Sigler, Regional Director Assistant
Heavenly Father,
We pray for all those facing Hurricane Ian head-on that they would find comfort in you. As this storm makes its way closer and closer, it can be easy to lose sight of your power and protection. Remind them that you are ultimately in control. That no matter what we face, we can trust you. We pray that civilians, as well as those providing disaster relief, would find comfort in knowing you are a loving God and have always had a plan for each of our lives. We pray that your comfort would cover them like a blanket while this storm passes. Amen. (anonymous)
Resilience comes from positive thinking which includes willpower and gratitude. Our will to survive is strengthened by orderliness and routine. We nurture and comfort ourselves by focusing on the present and only “what needs to be done now.” One goal at a time is more than enough during a disaster.
Helping others strengthens our own feelings of worth and competence. Endurance and an even temperament come from calories, so snacks are OK. Don’t go hangry. Exercise restores energy and sleep prevents stress. Humor and lowering our expectations are good survival tactics. (Roy Baumeister, Willpower)
We optimistically look forward to the fellowship and hope of the 2022 Leadership Summit in Orlando. We will renew our activism for the Article V solution as soon as we get our lives in order.
