Armageddon Pantry

Apocalypse.  Armageddon.  Domesday.  Call it what you will.  When we say these words, images of disasters come to mind.  And most of us prefer to be prepared for any looming destruction coming our way.  I actually don’t spend a great deal of thought about end-times, so I chuckled when a family member called my basement storage room an “Armageddon Pantry.”  However, I could see how someone might get that notion given the copious amounts of food staples I keep in my basement.

But the “Armageddon Pantry” isn’t intended for disaster.  The opposite is true, in fact.  The pantry is a supply room to enhance the lives of my kids, so when they have hungry bellies, sleepovers with large crowds, or after-school teenage hangouts, there are plenty of options to which they can readily choose from.  In fact, the neighborhood and friends all know that we are the place to go for snacks, baking goods, and whatever else they can put to imagination for the kitchen.

Instead of preparing us for disaster, this pantry serves to prime us for hosting privileges without creating an overt amount of stress.  It’s one way I have deliberately tried to buoy opportunities for my home to be a place of warmth and welcome for my kids.  This stands in stark contrast to the notion of the disaster mindset tied to Armageddon.   

Just like many facets in our lives, perspective is crucial for understanding.  How we assess our environment is largely based on our lived experience, history, and approach.  As such, confusion can occur when we determine something to be truth based on an isolated lens.  It’s helpful to have conversation surrounding our understanding so we can create dialogue about intent and insight.  I’m glad to hear my family member discuss this pantry, because it was done from a teasing heart.  And furthermore, it provided the platform for me to discuss the real reasons for the development of this food storage.  Not to mention that it allowed me to invite him to swipe goodies from the snack bin anytime he’d like, to which he readily agreed.

Changepoints:

Ponder elements in your life where context would help for someone on the outside to better understand your thinking or decision-making:

·      What ways can you proactively inform people of your intent?

·      How might you deal with confusion that is created when someone tries to interpret your life without having the full spectrum?

·      In what ways have you possibly misunderstood the world of others?

·      How can you best enhance communication whereby increasing the likelihood that people are speaking and listening with the spirit of understanding?

o   What does this open perspective do to help diffuse defensiveness?

o   How would you personally benefit from listening to others with the intent of seeking to understand? 

However you decide to label my enormous basement pantry, know that you are invited to partake whether it be a disaster or a party.  There’s enough food for everyone!

outSIGHTin, LLC: Creating awareness as a changepoint for improved organizational results.