As I make final preparations for yet another hurricane—this time, Milton—I've been reflecting on why stressful life events can actually be positive.

It sounds a bit backward but stick with me.

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First, when life shakes up your world, it forces you to take stock of everything.

As I stocked up on supplies, I wasn't just preparing for a storm—I was also reevaluating what truly matters in my life.

Is it the expensive TV or irreplaceable family photos I'm most worried about?

Most people want to get through something bad and get it over with as quickly as possible.

But when you slow down and honestly reevaluate, you give yourself time for a perspective shift.

When that happens, you'll likely find that a lot of what seemed urgent before now feels trivial.

That work deadline?

Not so pressing when you're facing 125 mph winds.

Looking back, many of the best parts of my storms were the opportunities to slow down and gain a clearer sense of what matters.

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Here's where it gets interesting.

Once you start seeing things from a new perspective and have clarity on your priorities, your creativity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving kick into high gear to help you shift direction.

If you've watched any recent Hurricane Helene aftermath, you've seen neighbors come together to help each other in extraordinary ways.

It doesn't have to be a hurricane, either.

Every day, we hear stories of people who lost a job, and instead of being bitter, they got creative and resourceful and built a business from the ground up, for example.

It all begins with knowing what genuinely matters to you—your true values and priorities.

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It's a domino effect.

Once you've got that clarity and your subconscious comes to the rescue, decision-making becomes much easier.

You make choices that align with who you are and what you want.

Maybe you realize your job isn't fulfilling or that you've been neglecting important relationships.

Perhaps you need better boundaries or a change in direction altogether.

When you're crystal clear, your brain works with you and not against you.

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With the right outlook, stressful life events can trigger a positive chain reaction.

It starts by becoming more aware of what's truly important.

And while I would never wish a storm upon anyone, we know they will come.

Using them as an inflection point to take stock of what matters most will help you ultimately make choices that fit who you truly are.

The bottom line is when your actions align with your values, goals, and priorities, you'll discover a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.

And that's positive, life-changing stuff worth weathering a few unwanted storms.

Stay safe!

Michelle