“Not today.” Words we utter to ourselves when our worlds get out of whack before our day can get going. When the chaos of life and leadership gets going before the first cup of coffee. “Please…just not today.”
The Basset Hound
Our beloved Basset Hound passed away a few years ago at the age of fifteen. “Manny,” as the rest of the world knew him, far outlived the average lifespan of his breed. We were fortunate to have him be a part of our family as long as we did.
This is what the outside world did not know…his official name was Man, middle initial E., Albright. Long story short, I named him Man when we first got him. Think about it for a second…it made total sense. “Let’s go outside Man, get off the couch Man, Don’t do that Man.” You get the point!
After a few weeks of that exercise, he gained his middle initial, E. From that point forward he was known as Man E.
Not Today Man
Man E. had several health challenges in his later years. Towards the end, controlling his ability to use the bathroom was his biggest. We would place him on his bed in the laundry room at night to keep the issue contained.
The kids were in elementary school at the time. Shannon needed to be at work earlier than I did, so I would get the kids on the bus. My morning routine was to get myself ready for work, get the kids ready for school, get them fed, let Man E. out to use the bathroom, and then get the kids on the bus.
His hearing was fading as well. Usually, when I opened the laundry room door it would startle him and he woke up. This fateful morning…that was not the case.
I was behind the ball, stressed, and rushed. Time was bearing down and I did not have any to spare.
As I stood there looking over his lifeless body, I contemplated two things. First, if it was his day to go to Heaven, there was no way the kids could handle this news before going to school. Two, if his day had come, “Would I be a bad human being for closing the door and dealing with this traumatic event later?!”
Finally, I reached deep. I closed my eyes, breathed deep, and said, “Not today Man E.” I needed a miracle! My words startled him, and he sprung back to life! Miracle performed!
Life and leadership offer us plenty of these, “not today” moments. My experience that morning taught me a few things…here is what I learned:
Take a Deep Breath
When I opened that door and looked in, my world started to speed up…really, really fast. My thoughts overwhelmed me in an instant. Thoughts dominated by fear, worry, and anxiety raced through my mind. I even questioned what type of human being I was! All in a matter of seconds!
I had to take a moment, breathe deep, and slow my thoughts down.
We all start our days with the best of intentions. We desire to be positive and optimistic of what the day holds. Then, buses get missed, cars don’t start, alarm clocks don’t go off, and dogs almost die. We wake up to that email or text that possesses the words that can redirect our day.
The day can get away from us before it even gets going unless we breathe and take a deep breath.
Utter the Words
After taking that breath, I said the magic words, “Not today Man E!” Everything changed. Sure, it’s easy for me to say now knowing he didn’t actually die! But, I was able to speak it into existence. “Not Today!” By sheer will, I wasn’t going to let it happen!
When the wheels of life and leadership start to come off, taking command of the situation prevents the first domino from falling. Simply uttering the words, “Not today,” establishes dominance of the day. It keeps the potential avalanche of thoughts and emotions at bay. It declares that we are not going to let things snowball, we are going to contain the crisis right where it formed. It stops right there…“Not today.”
Conclusion
Here is a bonus strategy for dealing with these type of days…laugh. This is one of my favorite stories to tell to generate a good laugh. Nothing de-escalates a tense situation like laughter. The world could use a lot more of it. It’s medicine for the soul.
Just like when the staff at the Acworth Animal Hospital would come over the loudspeaker in the waiting room and ask for the, “Parents of Man.” It brought laughter, it made me giggle. Even on the hardest day ever, when Man E. actually went to heaven.
Humor is a great medicine on the toughest of days. Life and leadership will bring us plenty of moments where, “Not today” applies. Take it head on. Breathe. Say It. And if you can…laugh. Not today…
