When I started this newsletter a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea a near-death experience was on the horizon. On my way to a photo shoot, I was suddenly hit by an 18-wheel truck, totaling my SUV. In that moment, my first thought wasn’t about the wreck but about how I was going to get to Austin to teach the inaugural session of Texas Trailblazers at the University of Texas.
EMS urged me to go to the hospital, but I insisted on getting back for the class. Later I learned the crash left me with fractures that mean weeks in a boot and surgery on my right hand.
I know I am lucky to be alive. The experience has been a challenge, but it also made me take a deeper look at how we face life’s unexpected turns.
Throughout my life, I’ve turned to nature for inspiration and insight. This brought me to delve into the fascinating trait of buffaloes, who literally run into storms.
Acting on pure instinct, this behavior is a survival strategy, but the question is, why do they do it?
My continued research revealed:
So, this begs the question. Are your instincts closer to a buffalo’s or a cow’s?
For me, the answer is a bit of both. Many times we avoid life’s storms or run away from them when the best approach is to deal with them head on before they turn into a bigger issue. Often, we tolerate ongoing “rain” in our lives when perhaps if we address it, we can mitigate the impact and severity of the problem. And then there are times we need to regroup and seek shelter, turning to trusted advisors for guidance.
As challenging times are an inevitable part of life, it is worth understanding the course of action you may naturally take.
Always finding answers in nature,
Gay Gaddis
Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.
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