One of the most notable things about this most recent experience with Irene, with our friend Irene,

was that there was an amazing amount of planned response. I mean, we had so much warning that

we were able to, in most parts of the region that were affected had had a chance to to prepare and of

course there were some that still got very terribly hit not always the case with intense

weather systems there are quakes and tsunamis and other things where we don't have a chance to

prepare and it's also true in our our inner life, that things happen to us.

We have accidents or problems with our health or financial difficulties

or loved ones, things that happen.

And there's not really a chance to prepare ourselves.

And instead of that readiness, which really makes a

difference in our life, quality of presence and readiness that really can handle, we flip into

reactivity. And I'd like to share one of my best examples on this. This is a man who's responding to a request from an insurance company for more

information. He says in response to your request for additional information in block three of the

accident and report form, I put in poor planning as the cause of my accident. You said in your

letter I should explain more fully. I trust the following

details will be sufficient. I'm a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working

alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had

500 pounds of bricks left. Rather than carrying them down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel

attached to the side of the building. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof,

swung the barrel out, and loaded the brick onto it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the

rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks.

You will note in block number 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135 pounds.

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