Ripple Effects

(Continued from previous post….)

LL #4 – Learn Something

Every disaster is different.  Every disaster response is different.  Every disaster relief team is different.  So wouldn’t you think it would just follow that there are going to be a lot of things learned on each one?  While I’ve certainly not had the opportunity to deploy to dozens of operations like so many of my much more experienced Red Cross co-workers, I can honestly say that I have learned something new on every deployment/assignment I have worked.

Perhaps it was operational, or maybe organizational in nature.  Maybe a new way of looking at supervisory techniques/responsibilities, or just expanding my confidence level in handling tough situations.  Something valuable has come out of each and every disaster assignment.  My job now is to incorporate that “something” into the next time…either to repeat the action, or perhaps pass on the observation to the next “Team” I work with.  But definitely to utilize that take-away in some way, shape or form.

LL #5 – Reserve the word “No” for the really big things

I mentioned earlier that I felt that I developed a good working relationship with those in Command Staff positions during Camp Gruber.  One contributing factor to that (in my opinion of course), is the fact that I very seldom said “No”, or “Red Cross can’t do that”.  Not that I routinely overcommitted ARC to things – quite the contrary.  As a Liaison, our job is to find solutions…not create obstacles – so I worked diligently to either identify the correct resource for a need, or find the person/agency that could.  I can think of only two specific incidents where I was put in the position of actually having to say that dreaded word.  Both times were extremely difficult (you have no idea!), but very necessary.  Details of the actual scenarios aren’t really necessary….just the outcome.  Both times, the stance was acknowledged and accepted.  Without repercussion, I might add.  The other party was not particularly happy at the time, but after explanation and thought, understood the thought process and respected the input.  That fact that I typically went out of my way to make it work, made my rare “no” carry more weight – kinda like the advice to be sure and pick your battles wisely.

LL #6 – Moderation in all things, and Balance in all areas

Now, those that have known me for any length of time or worked with me are probably trying really hard NOT to snort their chosen drink of the moment out their noses.  You see, I’m one of those strange little birds that has a hard time not becoming somewhat obsessed with the crisis of the moment – the project of the day – the emotion of the nanosecond…you get the picture, I’m sure.  But I do actually believe both of those adages.  There are so many things in life that are fantabulous!  But you can’t have fantabulous every waking second of every day.

Too much of anything can have strong repercussions.  Too much food can – well, you know what that does.  Too much drink can make you someone else, and rob you of life’s special moments – or worse.  Too much stress can make you sick, cranky, crazy, or lead you to too much food or drink.  Too much work makes you a very one-dimensional person…and not a whole lot of fun to be around.

And the Balance part?  I’m thinking that can actually go with the Moderation item to be honest.  You have to have work and play in your life.  Too much work and you forget how to play.  You spend too much time working, dealing with deadlines and workloads and you lose out on those aforementioned moments.  You forget how to laugh at a child’s playful antics, cry at a silly commercial or sentimental movie,  how to just close your eyes and enjoy the way the leaves rustle in the wind – starting far off in the distance as a whisper, rushing in to envelop you in an invigorating caress before passing you by.  I was not very well balanced, nor did I exercise moderation during my time working Katrina.

I worked too long hours, driving myself to near exhaustion (mentally and physically) – and without the intervention of a couple of friends might not have been made aware of that.  I “didn’t have time” for my usual workouts, so lost a great opportunity to work out some of my frustrations, aggravations and pent up emotions (thus adding to that stress thing I mentioned).  I was so engrossed in the response at the time, I kept putting off going shopping for my Mother of the Groom’s dress until the week before the wedding – denying myself the ability to revel in the upcoming event and have fun with some facet of the preparations.  (While I hate shopping for that type of attire, visiting an upscale shop in full “disaster mode” does not make for an enjoyable experience…for the shopper or the salesperson….shudder!)

Have I changed?  I’ve been out of disaster assignment since then, and I do still work looonggg hours.  Nature of the beast.  But I do try to take better care of myself in other ways.  I stay connected with others NOT involved in the response.  I try to eat decent meals and stay hydrated.  I try to find something to laugh about…whenever possible.  I have actually gotten better at putting family and home first.  I do still spend a lot of time on the computer – researching, studying, writing, and just skulking about on the internet – but that’s actually fun for me, so I’m thinking that doesn’t really count.  But – I think it actually works out to a “work in progress”…we shall see.

You know – I think I’ll stop with that one.  Oh sure, there are lots of things I could share concerning my time at Camp Gruber and the various Lessons Learned that I consider useful.   But I think I’d like to turn my mind to looking forward now.  Katrina was 5 years ago – none of us are the same.  We’ve all changed in one way or another – our way of looking at things is different, our way of doing things is different, our way of reacting to all kinds of situations is different – it’s all different.  That is the nature of the beast – we live, we experience, we learn, and we change.

Until next time…..