Challenges? Adapt and modify!
Posted 4/11/02

Life is full of dilemmas, decisions, challenges and opportunities. I often heard a former boss of mine (an ex-marine) say, "adapt and modify."

Heís right. When life throws you a challenge, you must adapt and modify and somehow turn it into an opportunity.

Iíll give you a perfect example. It used to really get under my skin when my husband couldnít seem to find the laundry chute and a mound of clothes would pile up until I no longer needed to bend over to pick it up.

Realizing I was never going to "change" him or his habits, I recalled that olí saying and I put it to work. The solution?

A laundry basket now sits under that mound of clothes in our bedroom. You canít always change things, but you can adapt to them.

Iíve adapted and modified in other areas at home as well. Since Iím outnumbered when it comes to gender, I definitely have to adapt. Those who know me realize Iím still a bit of a tomboy - I love football, muscle cars, and the outdoors (dirt and all).

But I am a woman and there are times when I need some "girly-ness" in my life, especially those evenings when dinner conversation has once again turned to bodily functions.

So just how did I adapt and modify? I painted our bathroom pink!

A little over the edge, I know, but just perfect for those nights when I fill the tub with water and foo-foo oils, light a bunch of candles, have a glass of wine and enjoy a good book.

Of course, mother nature has always been good at adapting. Granted, there are those animals that have become extinct over time, but for the most part theyíve overcome and adapted to the numerous environmental conditions.

In fact, just the other day I spotted two wild turkeys between Foreston and Milaca, probably from those that the Rum River Longbeards Chapter released last year. Theyíre obviously adapting.

Of course, the modifications Iíve made are minor, but theyíre an example how we can all deal with the bigger issues we face. Like the Carlson family who have had to completely change their lives following a horrible accident.

Itís easy to do nothing about a bad situation and itís even easier to complain about it, but somehow thereís always an opportunity for good to come out of it.

Of course, you cannot predict your life or the many challenges that you will face, but you can choose to modify and adapt and eventually choose which path to take.

As for that ex-marine, heís retired and adapting to a warm, relaxing environment in Mexico!