Making adventures out of inconveniences

IMG_9347
IMG_9347

“An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered;an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.” GK Chesterton

I'm beginning my week with a plan; a serious, get-things-done, make-every-minute-count kind of plan.  I'm tackling my to- do list with a "no-holds-barred" kind of commitment. Productivity is coming my way and it's being fueled by efficiency!!

That's my plan.

Unfortunately, I haven't built in much margin for things to go OFF plan.  I mean, I've made allowances for traffic and an unexpected phone call or two, but I don't have time for major - computer crashing, car repair, strep throat - kind of surprises.

You know what that means, don't you? Don't you? Yup.

When an inconvenience appears I may NOT "rightly consider" it an adventure.  I am at high risk of being testy and put out.

The last time I set up my expectations this way, I received a call from school saying the kids had lice (eeewwww!!!!!), and I spent a couple of days nit-picking. The time BEFORE that time, Snowpocalypse showed up and killed the week.

The truth is, adventures RARELY have the appearance of being fun.  However, being grumpy about an inconvenience doesn't help either.

Even when if there's nothing major, I don't want to go through life allowing my circumstances to determine my attitude, even in the minor things...

Why do I want to give my ability to enjoy this precious Monday to the whims of my computer? (Technology is still a friend!)Why would I allow the heat and humidity to steal a single bit of my joy?  (Atlanta knows how to operate air conditioners!)Why do I need to watch the replay of the last 30 seconds of the USA/Portugal match again? (A new adventure against Germany awaits!)

This week my goal is to see the inevitable inconveniences as an opportunity; to find adventure in unexpected places and embrace whatever crosses my path.*

Have you set yourself up to "rightly consider" whatever comes this week?

*Though I still hope to shred my "to-do" list!