It’s Spring and again we’re dealing with weather challenges.

Here in Montana we’re finally getting some significant rainfall. It’s been awhile, so it was no real surprise when I discovered a drainage problem around my new garage. So this morning, I’m out in the rain, in my rubber boots, with mud up to my knees, creating a channel to divert the water before I have a flood inside my garage.

This was a challenging issue for me. Lifting shovelfuls of wet clay while sliding around in the slippery stuff is not my idea of fun. However, I was and am very grateful that my home is on a hillside in Montana and not in the Midwest near a river.

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the flooding and tornados in our heartland. This is another year with weather of epic proportions and the fallout will ultimately affect us all. Due, in part, to the certainty that the cost of food grown in the region will skyrocket after these latest natural disasters.

We will be paying more for food while others have lost their lives, homes, or livelihood. None of it seems fair. Yes, I know, “life ain’t fair”! But I’m not here to just complain.

I’ve always had a fascination with weather and I’ve been involved in self-growth for a long time. Looking at both, it has often amazed me to see the correlation between the natural disasters we, on occasion, have to deal with, and the traumatic emotional states we can go through during personal growth.

Flooding is Mother Nature’s way of dealing with too much water, too fast. It has to go somewhere. Fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) are our mind’s way of dealing with too much change, emotion, or unexpected circumstances, too fast.

When we are flooded with FUD, our whole being is in danger of being carried away. You may feel like the person who is watching his or her home go floating down the river. Overwhelmed and helpless.

Unlike a flood that takes or destroys your home, you do have the ability to control the flood of emotions you may be experiencing because of some change going on in your life. It may not feel like you have any control, but you do.

Let’s all take a moment to be grateful for what we have. Be grateful that when our emotional flooding comes there is help and let’s send our thoughts and prayers to those dealing with Mother Nature’s flooding in the Midwest.

Thank you,

Gwen Baran