Life sometimes makes demands of us that we are not ready to handle but nevertheless we must face. So was my task this last weekend.
While sitting in a fine hotel in Oslo, Norway, Saturday after a successful tour of Denmark with my band...(all of which I would have gladly sacrificed to be home); I was faced with the unwanted task of making a decision about my furry little sidekick that had been a part of our family for 17 years.
My buddy Chester a pomeranian had suddenly experienced kidney failure of which there is no return, only hope that he could hold on till I could fly back Sunday night...24 + hours away. After praying for guidance in making the hardest decision in my life while 6000 miles away on another continent...it was made clear that Saturday was his day to leave...to soon for me but Sunday would be too long for him. A decision I could not bear to make.
I had taken a John Maxwell book with me titled "Thinking For A Change" and remembered the chapter "Reality Thinking" which had a line I needed to find. Upon finding the statement - "Reality thinking is the difference between what you wish to be and what actually is", I was suddenly able to think clearly and realize that I am a selfish man and would let my little dog hang on till I got back because all I wanted was to see him one more time before he had to go, and he would have... But I couldn't let him do that, I had to let go and not try to keep him past his time. Like I said too soon for me but too long for him.
We were blessed with some very fine and loving medical caregivers that gave wise and compassionate counsel to our family and for our sick family member. So when I placed the call to the hospital and his doctor that he would be coming in, almost at the very samemoment he let and died in my wife's arms very quickly and easily which had been my secret wish all the while. God made a way out of a heart wrenching decision that spared not only my buddy but myself from a task that I would never have recovered from.
What does this have to do with self improvement or Tools To Life you ask?....
Well, in his last moments my pal taught me to look in between what you wish for and what actually is to find the balanced answer you need to difficult decisions that may arise in life, business or most of all family.
Randee McLee
Chester Melnick
