In these times of earth changes, what might amount to an emergency where you live?
Last Saturday night, I heard what sounded like a motorcycle repeatedly revving up down outside my apartment building lane. When I went to the window, there was nothing to see. It was my air conditioning telling me it was broken. When I went to turn on the rarely used ceiling fan in my dining room, the cord to turn it on came off in my hand.
Summer temps in Tucson are in the triple digits from June through October, sometimes edging into early November. Recently, they’ve been in the 103 to 109 range. Those who’ve never experienced this level of heat can’t fathom it. Before I came to Arizona, it was beyond my imagination. Residents here cope by handling errands in the early morning when temps are in the high eighties to low-90’s and staying home the rest of the day. Air conditioning is critical for survival in desert heat.
That Sunday, as I waited for maintenance to show up, I watched an MSIA meeting on Zoom. Before I called on the Light, I shared my situation with those present on the call. Almost two hours into the meeting, maintenance still hadn’t shown up. I texted in the chat that it was an unbearable 112 degrees Fahrenheit in my second-floor apartment (heat rises), and I had to leave the call. And the house.
My body felt drained, and my mind felt groggy. While my body wanted an air-conditioned place to sleep that night, in that moment, I didn’t have the energy to make calls, drive long distances or gather my things for an overnight stay elsewhere. So, I left my home and spent a pleasant afternoon in a cool theater. By the time I got back, the A/C still hadn’t been fixed but maintenance had set up a portable A/C unit by my bed. I made it through the night, and my A/C finally got fixed at noon on Monday.
As I reflect back on those challenging three days, it occurs to me that there’s much we as MSIA’ers can do to help others dealing with emergency situations:
(1) Reach out and call the person.
(2) ASK: How do you feel? How’s your energy?
This is a chance for the person to check in with their basic self. These questions can help the person access parts that may have gone numb or out of body.
(3) ASK: What do you need? What would you like?
The person might be too overwhelmed or stressed to have considered what they want or need. Give them time to check inside. If they say, “Thanks, I don’t need anything,” do your own internal check to see if you can assist.
(4) ASK: How can I be of service? Who or what might be helpful?
Sometimes the person doesn’t want to appear needy or trouble others. They might not be aware of what might even be helpful at that time. There are things we can do that might have a significant, even life changing, impact. You might offer specific possibilities, things that might seem obvious to you but not to them at that time.
(5) CONSIDER: Is there something you can provide that you might be hesitant, even resistant, to offer? Maybe it’s a couch or bed (even if your home is messy, cluttered or you’re protective of your space); driving them somewhere (even if you don’t want to drive or spend the money on gas); food (even if you’re reluctant to share or buy more); or something else. We all can have places inside that may hold us back, for human reasons.
I hope you never experience a heat emergency. And, in these times of earth changes, I also hope you can offer yourself and others the very best in dire circumstances.
