But, instead of relaxing, I am in full action mode because I have to get up often and mop up a wet mess that is coming from the glass slider.

Yes, it is High Tide here in Wells, Maine. But instead of it being on the beach, it is in my living room. Or should I say my rented living room. Hey, I’m a guest here. Why must it be I who cleans up the mess?

The landlord has been attentive –he has offered to come back every hour to empty the various vessels I have put around to catch the rain. He has also offered to close the hurricane door to help keep the water out – but I have said “No” to both.

First of all, I don’t think the hurricane doors would be much good. The rain is coming in from the deck above and seeping into the walls, not the actual door. And even if that would fix it, I would still say “No” because, what fun would it be to be in a beach house if all you could see when you looked out through the glass is something big, black and metal? I think it would lose all ambiance, don’t you?

As for him coming back every hour, that does sound like a good idea – except for the fact that I am here for peace and quiet. Again, the atmosphere would change. It would become one of a kind, older man interrupting my creative process every sixty minutes by telling me “it’s never been this bad” and how sorry he is for the interruptions.

Nope, not for me today. I have decided to do my own “bail” work and it is proving to be quite a challenge. If I were staying at a hotel, I would defiantly ask for a room change. But this is a private home I am renting and the only other option I would have would be to get my money back and head back to my own house. Naw, I’ve been here a week and although tomorrow I must leave, today I will stay put.

So what does all this have with the topic of empowerment, you may ask? Maybe nothing - or maybe everything.

As I am sure you have heard me talk about a zillion times, the fact is empowerment is something that no one can give you (if they could, they could also take it away). It is something that you have to give yourself. Like anything worthwhile in life, it is also about choices. Today, I made a choice to sit out the storm, watch the waves from my glass door, and yes, deal with the annoyance of water seeping in everywhere.

Would I have preferred a beautiful sunny day for my last one here? Yes. When I spend money to get away from the daily grind and relax, would I have preferred to sit with my feet up sipping herbal tea? Yes. Would I like my Fairy God mother to come in and wave her magic wand and clean up this mess? A resounding YES would be my answer. All these things sound wonderful, but they were not the choices I was given today.

Today, my choices are to leave, to stay with major interruptions, or to deal with the situation and sop up water. I’m glad I made the choice I did because in between the irrigation, I have the privilege of a house to myself, looking at the majestic waves of the Atlantic, sipping herbal tea and knowing that I made the right choice for me. And making the right choice for yourself (as oppose to allowing anyone else to do it for you) is always empowerment at it’s finest.