The whole world sympathizes as they watch the devastation of the hurricanes and other natural disasters destroying the lives of so many. News travels at jet speed as it is relayed through the internet via the new social media networks such as twitter.

But while hurricanes are devastating and life changing events, there are many folk who are often untouched by natural disasters, and yet they are facing their own devastating and life changing storms.

These are the storms of life such as:

• Personal losses
• Family losses
• Emotional changes
• Even failures can cause storms in our lives.

No one escapes from facing these things at one time or another in our lives.

I was thinking a little about this in these past two days are we watched and waited for hurricane Ike to come; wondering what would be its path and extent of the damage it would leave. Some of us only experienced a little rain, while others saw their homes completely destroyed.

The storm comes and goes, and then the difficult time of facing the aftermath starts:

Reactions are varied – but at least some of the following reactions will happen:

• Shock is almost always the first reaction to any storm.
• Then there are the emotions of denial or anger
• Some end up in depression.
• Others are able to accept, plan and go on.

This is not an extensive list of all that happens, but enough for now.

The following is the most fruitful way to face any of life’s storms:

• Accept the reality of the situation.
• Access the damages the situation caused, and it’s affects on our life
• Regroup and plan your way out.
• Move on to success and victory.

This is not the easy way, and certainly does not negate the need to allow you to work through some if not all of the negative emotional reactions first.

But what really counts is that we don’t “park” at any of these negative stages, but rather allow ourselves to go through them, and move on to the positive steps of regrouping, rebuilding and even starting again if necessary.

The victorious life will always find a way to both plan for and move towards achieving its dream no matter what.

It is not what happens to us, but what we do with it that counts.

What are you doing with your storms today?

Have you parked in their path, or have you risen up to regroup, rebuild and move on to success and victory?

How do you handle the storms that come your way?

I would love to hear of your experiences and let us know any secrets you have discovered for overcoming these storms and moving on.

Yuli.