This is a Test of Your Sustainability Systems

For those of us that watched cable or satellite television you might remember getting those interruptions where a commanding voice would interrupt "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system." followed by a super annoying screechy-buzz.

Today, you may get a similar notification of a test of emergency communication through your cell phone. These tests are used as safeguards to ensure communication when an emergency strikes.

Do you ever feel like YOUR personal systems are being tested? Like, oh I don't know, especially when you've recently set a new boundary or drawn a fresh line in the sand?

Is this just me?
I didn't think so.

It seems like as soon as I draw a line it is immediately followed by a test to see if I can hold that line. For example, in my newsletter two weeks ago (check it out here if you missed it) I mentioned that things had gotten to be a little bit much and I was making some adjustments so I could give myself what I needed.

Before I had time to even pat myself on the back our house got the Covid. And my son had to head back to urgent care (twice!) to deal with his not healing appendectomy incision. And my new hired helped had a family emergency. And a clarinet got forgotten on the city bus (again.)

Really universe? Is that how you're gonna play it?

Rather than a test of my emergency systems, I've been thinking about this as a test of my sustainability systems.

Can I sustain myself and my long-term vision for what I want (ie. a life that's important to me) when urgent and unforeseen events/crises arise?
Even with some urgent deadlines and pressure from outside, can I slow down and create space without compromising what's important?
When things ramp up can I honour my pace and needs?

It says a lot about the practices I've been honing over the last few years that I can say... mostly. There was part of one day that I forced myself through a project that I knew I was too bone-tired for. Inevitably this marked it with a bit of apathy and a swish of resentment. Luckily it was nothing that a good night sleep couldn't make up for.

When we draw a line and say I'm no longer compromising on this and create a boundary (even if, or maybe especially when, that boundary is for ourselves) we have to be prepared for it to be pushed. These new boundaries that are freshly drawn seem more at risk to being wiped back off the earth.

That means that having practices that you can rely on to support that new boundary. Which, in turn becomes an even stronger sustainability system that you can build your life from.

It has to start somewhere. So many people try to build sustainability all at once...um, that's not sustainable, folks. As much as I'd LOVE it to be different, it starts with tiny adjustments.

In my workshop that I'm hosting next week I'll be sharing a practice that could be a starting place for you if you're ready to start something new.

If right now you're still hibernating and the siren call of what's next hasn't awoken you I honour your pace and your needs. Rest knowing that I'll continue to be here on Sundays for you.

In other words...

"In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."
- Tom Bodett

"One small crack does not mean you are broken,
it means that you were put to the test and you didn't fall apart."
- Linda Poindexter

"Sometimes we are tested.
Not to show our weakness, but to discover our strength."
- Unknown

A good question...

What do I need that will help me create my life sustainably?

Until next Sunday,

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