It’s Tuesday morning and the temperatures in San Diego were scheduled to hit 90-100 degrees. I know that’s nothing for those sweltering and having record highs with humidity, but these were warm days for us. We had been blessed with an unusually cool summer, but it was now mid-August and the normal summer weather had returned.

Recently, my husband, Avi and I noticed our air conditioning clicking each time it would come on. But, we really didn’t think much of it.

However, Tuesday morning we noticed the clicking again, but no air conditioner coming on. Plus, when we looked at the thermostat, we could see the temperature rising.

We called a repair man and thankfully our air conditioner was under warranty. However, the full labor was not and there would be a delay returning it to the manufacturer and getting a new one.

The weekly temps called for more 90s and 100s.

My first instinct was to go into victim mode, “Why does this have to happen during the hottest time? Why does this have to happen with a new baby? Why is this happening to me?”

I’m sure you’d ask much more empowering questions, but those were my first responses!

Then, I remembered the words of my teacher running through my head, “you have the conscious decision to choose. Choose your thoughts. Choose your emotions. And choose your response.”

Ugh! It’s so much easier to be the victim. But, when we remember that at any moment we have the power to choose to empower ourselves vs. fall victim, we raise our vibration and can attract the best possible solutions.

The air conditioner may seem like a trivial example, but it shows how the simple things added up can affect our overall vibration and ultimately, the quality of our life. Enough “air conditioning breakdowns” and your energy level can take a major downward spiral. Plus, when you talk about it and bring attention to it, you attract more havoc to you.

So, what to do when you face your “air conditioning” scenario?

1. Remember the impermanence of all things and that “this too shall pass.” As the Dalai Lama would say, “take the long view.” In other words, look at your challenge from a broader or long-term perspective. This, like everything else will get worked out in some way.

2. Remember that you have the power to choose. Choosing to be upset, disappointed and fall victim to your circumstance is a choice. Even for more serious situations, remember that you can choose your emotional response to it. As you choose differently, you affect your vibration and ultimately what solution you can align with in that moment.

3. Allow the challenge to spur your creativity. Often the greatest inventions came from overcoming some adverse condition. We got to learn all sorts of new ways to cool our house and ourselves.

This is a constant process, so we will continue to receive opportunities to choose to be empowered vs. fall victim. But, as we make the empowered choice, we affect the quality of our vibration and ultimately, our life and what we can attract to us.

I’ll let you know how it goes as I’m on to my next challenge – just lost the nanny I love and am now looking for a new one.

I hear this process does get easier at some point!

Much love to you on your journey!

Learn more about creating a breakthrough in your life!

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