The Avocado Incident

So I'm sure you're sick of hearing about my “avocado incident”, but I wanted to share how, throughout the day of the incident, my energy level bounced up and down, but highlighted the resilience I've shown in my life.

For those of you, who don't know what the "avocado incident" is, it is when I stabbed my hand, through and through, pitting an avocado while sailing on Lake Michigan. And I don't have a picture of the knife in my hand so don't ask.

As a reminder, when I talk about my energy level, I'm really talking about how I approached the situation or, in another words, the lens by which I approached the situation.

1️⃣ Starting with Level 1: As soon as the knife came out of my hand (every time I think about it, I get a little PTSD by the way) I immediately went into level one which is a victim/powerless view of the world. My inner thoughts were "I'm such an idiot. Why did I do that to myself? I know better!

Level 1 has an important role in that it encourages others to support you, and at that moment I needed a lot of support. It achieved its goal, as Kevin kept on reminding me to breathe which helped me calm down.

2️⃣ Quick transition to level 2: My adrenaline kicked in and my focus was on stopping the bleeding cleaning up the blood making sure I was OK. Level 2 is a level where the tendency is to take charge in control of the situation and at least regarding my situation, that is what I did.

The advantage of level two is that when the situation demands it, you can quickly solve the problem which was important so I didn't lose too much blood.

3️⃣ On to Level 3: at this point my resilience kicked in, and I entered level three, whereby you cope and deal with the situation at hand without blame and just find a path forward. Level three is the launching pad to the higher levels because it helps you get past whatever trouble you find yourself in. My thoughts were OK it happened. I'm gonna just do what I have to do to get through this.

2️⃣ A quick dip back into level 2: when I realized we were moving very slowly back to harbor, I kindly asked how fast we were going, and when the answer was not to my satisfaction, I demanded we turn the engine on and motor in so I could get my ass (or rather hand) to the emergency room.

4️⃣ Visit into level 4: the core thought at level 4 is concern for others. It includes caring, giving supporting and helping. Since I was unable to dock the boat, which is typically my job, and one that almost everybody else on the boat wanted to avoid, my job was to help the one person who did volunteer to make sure that it was docked well, she did not embarrass herself, and we could applaud her efforts. So, despite feeling like laying down with my hand up was the right call, I stood up, and I guided her as to engine speed, and when to turn for what resulted in a perfect docking. And then I laid back down.

5️⃣ A very small visit into level 5: Level five is one where you have a sense of peace and confidence because your view every situation is an opportunity. I can't say that I saw the opportunity related to sticking a knife all the way through my hand, but because my friend offered to take me to urgent care, while the rest of the crew took care of the boat, I got to spend some one-on-one time with her and that was wonderful. And Bob got to spend some time with his college buddy as they waited to be retrieved. In some strange way that felt like a win-win.

5️⃣ Another opportunity for level 5: We left the emergency room with just enough time to finish our original plan of the day, which was to get pizza at Vito and Nick's, which was on our bucket list of places to go before we leave Chicago. We made it with minutes to spare and even offered to bring pizza to my boat docking friend, who unfortunately had already eaten.

I'd love to say that I visited level 6 where you where the perception is that everyone's gifts and talents come together as unified hole and the core emotion as Joy and the action/result is wisdom, but the only wisdom I got was "I know better and I will never do that again". I can't say there was much joy.

But I certainly didn't visit level 7 which is characterized by complete objective, thinking, non-judgment, fearlessness, and unconditional love, unless you consider the fearlessness of maintaining my cool and chatting with the doctors while having stitches and having to go to the emergency room and yada yada yada.

2️⃣ Back to level 2 to solve a problem: I did take a quick visit back to level two when I found out that Bob came to the emergency room with the boat key, and the people following us couldn't get below deck. So I ordered him, while waiting for an opinion from a hand doctor, to go back to the boat and return the key.

3️⃣ Living in level 3: At this point as a try to get through a move, run my business and live my life I think I'm pretty much settling into level 3. I'm trying to figure out how to still exercise, sleep with my arm elevated, type on my computer with one hand, not take too much advantage of Bob's kindness, and not look like a fool.

Interestingly enough, I did this all very subconsciously, and it was only after the fact that I was able to understand what went on. I look forward to a time when I can more consistently choose my level such that I have the right lens on the situation at the time, I guess practice makes perfect!

If you are feel your approach to situations may not be serving you, coaching may be for you. Schedule a free coaching discovery call to explore how coaching can help you understand and choose the appropriate lens.