God Has a Plan
The economic downturn is affecting all of us in one way or another. My husband the psychiatrist is losing patients as they lose their jobs, lose their insurance and cannot continue treatment. As his business shrinks, the rent rates continue to rise. We feel the squeeze. What to do?
My solution was for George to sell his business and retire but that didn’t fly. He has invested 40 years into practicing psychiatry and he still loves it. Three months ago a perfect solution came knocking on our door. Another psychiatrist in George’s building is also feeling the squeeze. He approached George about the two of them sharing one office. They talked and talked …… and talked some more and in the end a deal was made to share George’s suite. Each pays less rent and works less hours. They will be like two ships passing in the night, with only one there at a time.
They agreed to paint the room and change the décor. George’s brown leather furniture was moved out and the other doctor’s blue leather furniture was moved in. Although self appointed, I was the one who attended to the details and logistics to make it come together by July 1, 2010.
It was a big project with lots of pieces, and many difficult rules and regulations to adhere to. I felt like I was putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. The office is on the campus of UCLA. They have so many requirements. You can only move furniture in and out of office suites at certain times. You have to use their paint crew to do the painting, but you have to pay for it. There are chains of command you have to work with. Then there is satisfying the needs of the other doctor. It was not easy but I feel I was successful keeping my focus on creating equanimity with all the people-pieces involved.
The most difficult piece of the puzzle was getting George’s furniture out of the suite before the painters arrived. I started out with many possibilities but it wasn't until the day before the painters were to arrive, that I found a home for the furniture. Not knowing who was going to move the furniture created emotions of anxiety and sleepless nights. I was very grateful for my practiced ability to observe my emotions as they cycled through me instead of getting lost in them. I just watched the feelings as they surfaced and knew they were just passing through me, similar to how bad weather comes and goes. “This too will pass,” was my mantra.
And here we are in July with mission successfully accomplished. July 1 was Dr. Kline’s first day in his newly painted, redecorated office at UCLA. Both doctors are pleased, happy and delighted. And I am exhausted!
Looking back, I can see that everything orchestrated itself smoothly and in a timely fashion. What is it about “not knowing” that stirs our emotions? This project was good for me in that I learned I need more practice trusting the “not knowing” stages of life. Yes, I can observe without getting lost in the feelings. But I wonder if it’s possible to simply observe and not activate those anxious, unsettling feelings. More trust in the process of unfolding is needed. All I can do is keep practicing.
And so ends another chapter in my life with George. Until you return, fill your days with GIGGLES, JOY, and APPRECIATION!
Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA
DoctorofDivinity, SpiritualCoach, ReconnectiveHealingPractitioner, Writer
My solution was for George to sell his business and retire but that didn’t fly. He has invested 40 years into practicing psychiatry and he still loves it. Three months ago a perfect solution came knocking on our door. Another psychiatrist in George’s building is also feeling the squeeze. He approached George about the two of them sharing one office. They talked and talked …… and talked some more and in the end a deal was made to share George’s suite. Each pays less rent and works less hours. They will be like two ships passing in the night, with only one there at a time.
They agreed to paint the room and change the décor. George’s brown leather furniture was moved out and the other doctor’s blue leather furniture was moved in. Although self appointed, I was the one who attended to the details and logistics to make it come together by July 1, 2010.
It was a big project with lots of pieces, and many difficult rules and regulations to adhere to. I felt like I was putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle. The office is on the campus of UCLA. They have so many requirements. You can only move furniture in and out of office suites at certain times. You have to use their paint crew to do the painting, but you have to pay for it. There are chains of command you have to work with. Then there is satisfying the needs of the other doctor. It was not easy but I feel I was successful keeping my focus on creating equanimity with all the people-pieces involved.
The most difficult piece of the puzzle was getting George’s furniture out of the suite before the painters arrived. I started out with many possibilities but it wasn't until the day before the painters were to arrive, that I found a home for the furniture. Not knowing who was going to move the furniture created emotions of anxiety and sleepless nights. I was very grateful for my practiced ability to observe my emotions as they cycled through me instead of getting lost in them. I just watched the feelings as they surfaced and knew they were just passing through me, similar to how bad weather comes and goes. “This too will pass,” was my mantra.
And here we are in July with mission successfully accomplished. July 1 was Dr. Kline’s first day in his newly painted, redecorated office at UCLA. Both doctors are pleased, happy and delighted. And I am exhausted!
Looking back, I can see that everything orchestrated itself smoothly and in a timely fashion. What is it about “not knowing” that stirs our emotions? This project was good for me in that I learned I need more practice trusting the “not knowing” stages of life. Yes, I can observe without getting lost in the feelings. But I wonder if it’s possible to simply observe and not activate those anxious, unsettling feelings. More trust in the process of unfolding is needed. All I can do is keep practicing.
And so ends another chapter in my life with George. Until you return, fill your days with GIGGLES, JOY, and APPRECIATION!
Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA
DoctorofDivinity, SpiritualCoach, ReconnectiveHealingPractitioner, Writer
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