Don't Overreact

Don't cry over spilled milk is a common expression. Last week I learned that don't overreact over spilled milk, is also good advice.

Mom's refrigerator has a cold spot near the back of the top shelf. Whatever gets shoved back there usually freezes. Maybe we need to change the temperature a little, but the rest of the fridge seems perfect, so we just leave it as is.

Somehow a nearly full gallon of milk got pushed too far back and about a third of it froze. When I got it out of the fridge, I instantly knew something was amiss. There was a tiny bit of whitish liquid on the shelf and the plastic jug felt wet. Rather than wiping it and the shelf and waiting to see if the jug was indeed leaking, I went into I have to fix this now mode.

I quickly washed a glass pitcher and poured in as much of the liquid milk as it would hold. Then I took the glass measuring cup out of the cabinet and filled it with milk. Next, I got a big glass and poured the rest of the liquid into it. I set the plastic milk jug containing the frozen milk on a plate and placed it near the front of the shelf. All the different containers of milk in the fridge looked strange, but I had acted quickly and saved the day, or at least the gallon of milk.

My plan was to let the rest of the milk thaw and then get it into another container so that it wouldn't leak out of the jug, since I assumed it must have a tiny slit somewhere. After wiping it I hadn't found any indication of a possible leak, but I was going on my assumption that there must be a problem needing to be fixed.

I wish I had taken a picture of all the milk stored in different containers. It was an interesting sight. After the remaining milk in the plastic jug melted and there was no sign of milk on the plate, I realized that I had once again jumped the gun. There was no need to pour the milk into containers. It would have been fine, if I had simply moved it to the front of the shelf.

Bobby often tells me to, "Just breathe." I'm learning, slowly as usual, to at least try to take a little time to think through my immediate reaction and plan of how to fix a perceived problem before jumping to action. Taking time to pray is also a good idea, actually the best idea of all.

There are times, of course, when immediate action is necessary, but thankfully those times are not the norm. Learning to stop, take a breath, pray, and wait for guidance is taking some time as indicated by a fridge with multiple containers of milk, but I am making progress.

The image of the milk jug on a plate, measuring cup, glass pitcher, and tall glass sitting awkwardly in the refrigerator is going to stick in my mind. It will be a good reminder to remain calm rather than overreact. Sometimes the silliest of things hold valuable lessons.

Don't overreact.

Take a breath.

Pray!!!

And as the Brits say, "Keep calm and carry on."

Max and Murphy know how to relax.

Happy birthday Clara! Ann, Kim, Clara Sue, Timmy, David, Ricky (behind)

Mom and Clara