I can't believe this happened in Vegas!

We had been planning a family get together for about a year. My parents, my sister, her children, and my family were all supposed to meet in Vegas. We all rarely get to get together anyway, so this was going to be a great time.

Well…so we thought!

We landed and the pilot says “we cant park at the terminal because all the computers are down. Eventually after 30mins we parked. I took my phone out of airplane mode, and began getting panicked texts from my friends in IT, who work at other companies, about how their systems were all down. Blue screens galore! Which means there is no remote way to fix them.

I immediately felt a lump in my throat. I just KNEW I would have to fly back and fix all the systems. I checked a few message boards, the news, and social media, and saw the sheer scale of the problem. There was NO WAY I would be spared in this situation. And for it to happen on my long awaited vacation, suffice to say, I was ticked off! >:(

So we grabbed our baggage, checked in, I’m still stressing like crazy, because I’m the only IT person at my location, and the fix had no remote resolution that we knew of.

Once in the room, I immediately turned on my laptop, and checked our systems.

Lo and behold, none were down. Come to find out the problem only affected certain users of specific software (which was A LOT!! Including the airliner that we used to fly to Vegas).

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!

But there was another problem. My sisters flight had been delayed, then cancelled, then cancelled again, then cancelled again! Ultimately, we were told she wouldn’t make it until the morning of the day the rest of us were scheduled to leave.

Ticked off mood comes back! I don’t get to see my sister! We had just talked on the phone for almost 2 hours the day before our scheduled flights.

So..what did I do to get myself together mentally and emotionally?

1. Pray - Not just any prayers, but pray the Jesus Prayer with breaths to regulate my spiritual state, my mind, and my body/heart rate.

2. Practice Gratefulness - Once I got my mind, body, and spirit regulated using the Jesus Prayer, i was able to mentally appreciate that all was not lost. I was able to be thankful for those who did make it.

3. Lean into Community - Yes my sister wasn’t there, BUT, the rest of my family was. So I spent time with those who were able to make it. Numerous studies show that being in community, and experiencing love from a community, help with overall well being and mental (along with physical) health.

I let my anger, frustration, and disappointment stay in Vegas

I was then able to enjoy the rest of the weekend (until it was time to leave of course lol).

These steps can and should be paired with reading of scripture, the saints sayings and lives, communal worship, incense, praying the hours, singing to yourself psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

There is power in short prayers, breathing, gratefulness, and community. Very simple things, that can help us get through complex problems. Where even if the problem doesn’t go away, the anxiety or anger can go away until the problem is solved.

Time to plan another vacation!