3-2-1 Get Balanced Wednesday
by Dr. Donnie
āEncouraging you to align your daily behaviors
with your priorities in life.ā
Lessons from the Plains
3 Ideas – 2 Quotes – 1 Question and Answer from Me to help you reflect on your work-life balance and wellness habits this week.
On the plains just east of the Rocky Mountains, buffaloes and cows share an environment that offers us a valuable life lesson through their responses to severe weather. Summer thunderstorms in Colorado, rich with lightning and thunder, originate in the west and move eastward. As these storms become visible, both animals prepare to manage their risks, but in markedly different ways. The cows, noticing the approaching storm, instinctively turn east and attempt to outrun the storm. Unfortunately, since the storm also moves east, they end up traveling with it, prolonging their exposure to the harsh conditions.
I.Ā Contrasting Survival Strategies
In contrast, the buffalo adopts a completely different strategy. Sensing the storm, they wait for it to draw near and then charge westward, directly into it. This approach drastically reduces their time in the storm as they confront it head-on, thereby minimizing their discomfort. The buffalo have learned that the quickest way through trouble is to face it directly, a lesson in resilience and courage that we can draw upon in our own lives.
II.Ā Facing Our Storms
I believe God gives us these earthly lessons because like the buffaloes and cows, we encounter our own stormsāchallenges that range from physical and mental health issues to relationship, financial, or sudden crises. Each of us reacts differently, sometimes evading these problems, at other times confronting them boldly. Observing how these animals handle storms can inspire us to reconsider our own approaches to life’s challenges.
III. Embracing the Buffalo Within
What if we, as a society, could channel our inner buffalo more often and confront our challenges head-on rather than avoiding them? Personally, I find that I possess traits of both the buffalo and the cow. There are times when I face difficulties immediately and effectively, while at other times, I find myself retreating at times. Inspired by this powerful metaphor, I’m committed to embracing change in my life.
As my personal reminder, the next time I’m choosing a meal at a restaurant, I’ll pass on the usual beef and choose a bison burger instead, symbolizing the strength and resilience I aim to embody.
2 Quotes from Others
I. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
II. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
ā Isaiah 41:10
1 Question for You
What storm are you running away from and how might your circumstances improve if you embrace the Buffalo strategy?
Dr. Donnieās Answer
The storm I frequently run away from is financial retirement health. I bounced around in my career, starting, growing, and leading companies for others. All three of these entrepreneurs turned out to be unethical. Iām not one who turns and looks the other way regarding ethics. Therefore, I walked away from my hard work and suffered financial consequences; however, I can sleep well at night.
Over the past ten years, as I’ve grown my own business and raised children, my focus has been on the family’s here-and-now financial needs. As I embrace the Buffalo strategy, it is time for me to run toward the āone-dayā storm of financial retirement down the roadā¦perhaps 20 years from now. Although the remaining investment time is not optimal, āAll things are possible through Christ.ā
Lastly, Iām reminded: āA farmerās young son asked, āWhenās the best time to plant a shade tree? 50-years ago said the farmer. Whenās the next best time asked his son. Today.ā
I would love to hear your answer: [email protected]
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Until next week, may God bless you and your family, and the Glory be to God.
– Dr. Donnie Hutchinson
The format and style of this newsletter were inspired and highly influenced by James Clear and his 3-2-1 Newsletter. The content is strictly Dr. Donnieās.