For some 13 years, I have had the privilege of residing inside the inner loop of the Capital Beltway in Washington D.C. Despite her swampy weather and heated politics all year around, I rather enjoy being here.
Even during the worst part of our hot summer months, Mother Nature somehow manages to mercifully and miraculously lower the overnight temperature and reset the following morning with a pleasant start. Of course, by noon, the sun heats up the day again, making me yearn for a cooler nightfall.
There are nights, though, when Her Majesty forgets to flip that vital switch, and the temperature, like a witch’s brew, begins to boil day and night, locking us in a perpetual summer’s curse of relentless physical torture. Sometimes this agony can last for days, forcing our outdoor life to a complete halt until the cooling button is magically pressed again.
The importance of a reset button is especially magnified in its absence, not just for the weather, but in our lives. When overheated, whether by a discussion, a dispute or an unhealthy relationship, we are often forced to tone things down a few notches and reset them to a more manageable level to resolve our issues. Sometimes, how quickly we realize that our lives are on overdrive and take
action accordingly can have a long-term effect on the very quality of our existence.
We learned about our own reset button as children when we threw temper tantrums and were given “timeouts.” We were told to sit on a particular chair or stool in the corner to “cool off,” or ordered to go to our room. Only after we had calmed down enough to reason again were we allowed to rejoin the others. As hard as it was, the reset button helped us to learn to cope with life’s difficult moments.
At some point, we took control of our own lives, learning to make important judgments and decisions after we overworked, found ourselves emotionally drained, or realized that our jobs are not right for us. Sometimes, giving ourselves a “timeout” may be the only way to cool down our senses so we can make the next wise move.
Life is not always smooth sailing. When we have an urge to throw a temper tantrum like a child, or feel our life is betraying us, don’t forget to push that magical reset button. We have full control to make the changes needed to improve our lives. And the time could be right now.
You can always reach me at qstubis@gmail.com, or please visit me at QinSunStubis.com. You can find a copy of my book, Once Our Lives, online at Amazon.com
Reflections From The East Column
By Qin Sun Stubis
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