Fixing a dryer wasn’t what I wanted to do on Saturday.

My original plans for the day were to finish painting my office. The ceiling and the Caliente Red wall still need to be done.

But a dryer squeaking really loud with a drum not turning well took priority.

I didn’t know exactly what I was doing. So I hit YouTube where I found help from Richard O’Banion repairing Maytag dryers and from Hill Bros Review who taught me how to use my Channellock snap ring pliers.

Thanks also to Jim at Darrell’s Appliance in Beautiful Downtown Benson for helping me think through the parts I needed.

My biggest thanks goes to my daughter Leslie (doesn’t she just look cute in the picture!) who came over after she got off work to hang out with dad only to end up being a set of extra hands.

She was pretty sweet about it and simply reminded me that’s one of the reasons we have kids.

I loved it!

And I love her!

The repair project went pretty smooth though it took us longer than planned on. We also had to redo a couple of things when putting the dryer back together.

Sometimes that’s just part of the game when doing something new.

Or something difficult.

BATTLE SCARS

What do you do when your day doesn’t go as planned? What about when your life doesn’t go as planned?

When it’s just a day out of sync most of us probably roll with it. Even if we feel miffed, stiffed, perturbed, or disturbed, maybe even upset or angry, I’m betting most of us still roll with it.

But what do you do when your challenges are more than just a day? How do you ‘roll with it’ when life hits hard day after day, maybe even year after year?

We each face troubles. It’s simply part of life. To this point, I like what Richelle E. Goodrich writes in her book, “Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, and Grumblings for Every Day of the Year.”

“No one is without troubles, without personal hardships and genuine challenges. That fact may not be obvious because most people don’t advertise their woes and heartaches. But nobody, not even the purest heart, escapes life without suffering battle scars.”

Battle scars are part of life. For each of us.

What will we do with them?

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ADVANTAGES

Michelle Obama encourages us to “never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, “she writes, “it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.”

I also reached out for some practical advice from a few friends on what they do when a day — or life — doesn’t go as planned.

“I try to put a different spin on it. It’s not that the day didn’t go as planned. It just wasn’t how I planned. I was needed elsewhere that I didn’t realize when beginning the day. Plus, I can get back on schedule later.”
— Mathew Firth

“When my day doesn’t go as planned, I often find relief by taking a step back and singing it out. ‘There’s nothin’ like a good song to change a sour mood.’ Those are the words my grandma used to say to me and though she has graduated from this life, I can still hear those wonderful words of wisdom. So when I want to gain the Red Edge, I pick up my guitar and sing for 20 minutes. Then I get back in the game with a smile.”
— Stephanie Aranda

“I quickly adapt, reassess and then find joy in the next adventure.”
— Trudie Dymock

It will also take a little courage to turn your challenges in advantages. In hope of inspiring a little of that courage, I leave you with this little gem.

COURAGEOUS I AM
By Les Patterson

Courageous I am
Now, at this moment
But I still feel vulnerable
When life changes.

Courageous I am
Now, though not always
But I chose to learn
When experience was tough.

Courageous I am
Now, because I loved
But love hurts at times
When it doesn’t stay alive.

Courageous I am
Now, as happiness seeps forth
But I wonder if it will stay
When life complicates again.

Courageous I am
Now, even though I fell
But I got back up
When it was very hard.

Courageous I am
Now, I see better
But I’m cautious
When I can feel the past.

Courageous I am
Now, I have the choice
But I won’t be dragged down
When the past erupts again.

Courageous I am
Now, I tell my own story better
But I won’t forget how to dream
When my aspiration seems distant.

Courageous I am
Now, I act for myself
But I know I am not alone
When darkness seems to surround.

Courageous I am
Now, I receive the light
But know it’s a gift
When my heart is open.

Courageous I am
Now, at this moment
But I rejoice in the vulnerability
When life changes.

Courageous I Am.

THE END OF THE DAY

Leslie and I got the dryer working again. Just don’t tell anyone we had to tear apart three times in the process of putting it back together!

The other things I wanted to get done didn’t all happen. But the day still ended on a good note, sitting on the back deck enjoying this beautiful and relaxing sunset.

Life just doesn’t get much better, and it’s a great way to Gain the Red Edge, even when my day didn’t go as planned.

Now it’s your turn…

How do you Gain the Red Edge when your day doesn’t go as planned?

Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.

Les

p.s. Take 13 minutes today to focus and decide to enjoy your day even if it doesn’t go as planned.

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