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Clay Nelson, Life Balance: In Times of Crisis, We Are One
The past week has been an interesting one. Any other time, I might blame that on the full moon, but this “interesting” was caused by the orange glow in the sky and the ash covering every bit of everything. In this context, “interesting” is really cool!
I was out of town last week with a client in Bozeman, Mont. We had been watching the fires closely, but felt we would be OK. However, on Thursday evening while talking with my wife by telephone, I could hear the loud speakers outside letting my neighborhood know that the time we all had hoped would pass us had come.
Hundreds of miles from home and unable to do anything, the feeling of helplessness that overcame me at that moment is indescribable, and all of the great things we’ve experienced since that moment have left me standing in awe. In a world that is often filled with negativity, what I’ve witnessed is nothing but people helping people, with courtesy, selflessness, and genuine compassion and caring.
As I worked with the airlines to get home to Santa Barbara as soon as possible, my wife and son did a fantastic job packing up four cats and an English bulldog, our computer files and our most important papers. They set out to find a safe haven for what would be several days of watching, waiting and praying. As soon as word spread of their evacuation, my family was offered a safe place to lay their heads at the home of my son’s friend — people we had met just one time after dropping my son’s golf clubs off at their home. They welcomed my family and our pets, like we were old friends, and their kindness has reminded me of the inherent loving and caring nature of human beings.
From the bravery shown by those on the front lines fighting the fire — both on the ground and in the air — and the police and sheriff’s deputies, to the people in the grocery stores and the organizations and volunteers manning the evacuation shelters, there were people helping people — and their animals — everywhere. No one seemed so much concerned about who you were, only that you were in a position of great need and they wanted to help. With 30,000 people evacuated, I can’t help but wonder how many of those who were there to lend a hand were in need of a hand themselves?
Yet, this is what we do. No matter what is going on, in a crisis we set our petty everyday worries aside and we help one another. As a recipient of that help, I’m truly amazed at what people will do for a stranger — including the giant hugs upon my return to Santa Barbara on Friday and the making of homemade ice cream and my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies.
Even on Sunday, with scores of people waiting in line to return to their homes as residents’ IDs were checked, the law enforcement officers — those who have no doubt been working nonstop for days — took the time not to just look at an ID and move residents along, but to ask how we were and to take an interest in what we had been through. They genuinely cared about what residents may be headed home to, and a sheriff’s deputy even gave Hitch, our bulldog, a hearty pat on the head.
While we were glad to be headed home, sadly we returned without two of our cats. Lila, a small, feisty, black and white female cat, and Murphy, a large orange and white male cat. Both went missing after they slipped through an open door where we were staying. Our hosts and many of their neighbors helped search for them, and many are still keeping a watchful eye, certain that they will show back up. Just one more example of the amazing and loving spirit shown over and over throughout the past week.
A huge thank you to Anthony, Silvia, David, Robert, Eliana and Charisa for being the amazing people they are; we are blessed to now have them in our lives. And thank you to those whose names I don’t know — our host’s neighbors, the firefighters on the front lines and those coordinating every effort, those flying the aircraft and those supporting them on the ground, the law enforcement officers, the volunteers at the Dos Pueblos evacuation shelter, those caring for the displaced animals in emergency shelters, and anyone who at anytime in the past week helped make a difference where a difference needed to be made.
We as a community are lucky to have each and every one of you living among us. I honor who you are, the difference you’ve made and how cool you are!
— Santa Barbara resident Clay Nelson founded Clay Nelson Life Balance™ to provide businesses and individuals with what may be missing in their lives: purpose, personal and business planning, fun, effective delegation through team management, and accountability. Click here to download Clay’s complimentary e-book, The Balanced Life — How to Put Fun, Family and Financial Freedom into Your Business and Personal Life. Click here to subscribe to the free podcast of The Clay Nelson Life Balance™ Hour.
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» on 05.12.09 @ 08:43 AM
YAY!!! I’m so glad our home was saved and thank you to all who were there to lend their support and a loving hand! I am so thankful to all the men and women who helped fight the fire. I couldn’t of said it better myself, Dad! Love you and we will find Lila and Murphy!!! xoxo :-)
» on 05.12.09 @ 12:48 PM
Amen. It’s wonderful to know of people who find blessing in tragedy. I hope you find your cats and that all of those good people who helped you take great satisfaction from their service to their fellow beings. And best wishes to those who lost property in this year’s terrible fires. May they recover quickly and heal financially, mentally, and spirtually…..
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