Everyday is Saturday

Day three of the power outage in Ohio/Kentucky

Sunday around 2pm the power went out in the Crowley House. Although our power has gone off many times in the past, this was different. The winds were howling around 70 mph with no end in sight. Hurricane Ike had just left a path of devastation in Texas and was on its quick ascent through the Midwest and into Canada.

Because we live in a newer development, our power tends to go out in heavy storms, something having to do with the fact that we are at the end of the circuit.

I had to make a quick decision: Do I react similar to how I have in the past by just waiting a few hours for the power to return, or do I go a different direction?

I decided to go to Home Depot and purchase my first ever generator.

Thank God I did.

It is currently 2pm Tuesday and there is no indication we will have electricity in our home any time soon. When the winds hit our area, there were approximately 900,000 Duke Enery customers without power. This represents a total population of close to 1.5M people in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.

As I listened to the radio in the dark Sunday night, I heard concern from many people. Many people wanted to know if they should show up for work the next day. Many small business owners were worried they could not open their doors indefinitely. Restaurants were worried about inventory going to waste.

I gave thanks that

#1 I don’t have a job

#2 My income does not stop flowing if power goes out

I purchased the last generator in Home Depot Sunday afternoon. I brought it home, put gas in it and fired it up. It’s been running non stop since.

Our neighbors have all put their frozen foods in our freezers and used our refrigerator to store everthing else. Their children need milk and food and we are more than happy to be there for them. Actually, Angela and I feel blessed that we have been given the means to do this small favor for many.

Neither of us work outside the home, so we can watch other kids in the neighborhood if the parents have to take care of other issues that have arised during the power outage.

We are in a place financially to be able to purchase a generator on a whim and food to store for days.

This is a perfect example of why you should strive to be financially free. It’s not about how much of the money you get to keep. It’s about how many blessings you get to give away. It’s about lifestyle and not having to call and ask someone (boss) what they think about your situation. It’s about being there for your family and friends in time of need.

I emailed all my coaching clients yesterday from a local Marriott lobby to let them know the situation and thanked them for their patience.

I sent the email after I rented a chain saw to take down a tree which had fallen on one of my rental homes. I woke up yesterday at 2am, poured gas in the generator and proceeded to go shopping at the only store open in the city. I then came home, got our other car and filled it with gas at the only gas station that was open. Then off to HD for the chainsaw, to the house for tree removal, back home to tend to the family and hang out with the neighborhood kids.

When I speak of being free, it’s not so you can bathe in money or buy 25 BMW’s - it’s so you can create choices for you and your family. Most people in the Greater Cincinnati area have limited options this week and are waiting for direction from someone further up the organizational chart.

A few years ago I decided the direct reports at home were more important than the ones at work.

I’m leaving the Marriott to go home and cook burgers on the grill. You don’t need electric for that. Now our kids are FORCED to spend time with mom and dad due to their beloved television not working:)

No power, no problem.

Sam