Chapter 1: The Setup

Just the other morning, I found myself at my desk, indulging in my usual pre-writing habits—otherwise known as procrastination. My routine typically includes a series of distractions: playing Wordle, trying Word Cookies, checking the weather on AccuWeather, browsing ESPN, responding to Medium comments, and catching up on LSU football news, followed by visits to the Washington Post and Politico. With all these diversions, it’s a wonder I ever get any writing done!

After a quick bathroom break and a hand wash, I returned to my desk, expecting to dive into my work. But when I glanced at my computer, I was met with a dark screen. No big deal; it was merely sleeping. I attempted to wake it with a few keystrokes, but it remained unresponsive.

The Moment of Panic I thought to myself that this was not unusual, so I pressed and held the power button. But nothing happened. This was strange. I turned to my reliable friend Google, searching for “MacBook Pro completely unresponsive.” I followed the suggested solutions, but to no avail.

A Trip to the Apple Store This was a clear sign that it was time to seek help: “Off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Apple!” They’ve always managed to fix my issues quickly and without charge, unless a part replacement was necessary. Upon arrival, I was relieved to learn that the wait would only be 15 minutes, a blessing without an appointment.

Soon after, my Genius arrived to assist. He tried several methods, but nothing worked. Finally, he took my laptop to the back for further inspection.

The Costly Diagnosis When he returned, his news wasn’t good: it appeared I had a dead motherboard. I was told the repair would take five days and cost $700. Ouch!

In that moment, I could have easily spiraled into despair. A few years ago, this scenario would have felt like a catastrophe, but now, I had a new approach to life. I channeled my inner superhero—“Mindful Man”—and decided to apply my mindfulness techniques to this challenging situation.

Chapter 2: The Power of Breathing

As I navigated through the stress of my situation, I noticed the familiar thoughts creeping in: “My computer is ruined. I’ll have to buy a new one. I’ll lose all my files. I’ll be without a computer for days!” Each time these thoughts surfaced, I redirected my focus to my breath. Mindfulness, at its core, is about anchoring ourselves in the present moment, avoiding the traps of past regrets or future anxieties.

Whenever I focused on my breathing, good things seemed to follow. For instance, after leaving the Apple Store, I stopped by a nearby Whole Foods for some groceries. On a whim, I inquired about marshmallows, fully expecting them to be out of stock, as my local grocery store had been. To my surprise, Whole Foods had a large bag of them!

The Joy of Simple Pleasures I felt a rush of happiness at finding the marshmallows. This small victory reminded me of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even when things go awry. Sure, my computer was kaput, but I had found a delightful treat for my daughter, who had been eager to roast marshmallows in our fire pit.

Unexpected Solutions In the days that followed, I managed to adapt. My wife’s computer, which she wasn’t using, became my temporary lifeline. Additionally, I discovered that my files were safe and sound on iCloud, a service I’d been paying for but hadn’t fully utilized.

The Key Takeaway The simplest way to navigate through everyday challenges is to center ourselves through mindful breathing. This technique helps prevent us from spiraling into negative thoughts. Mindfulness is about remaining present, as most moments aren’t as dire as we perceive them to be.

In those moments of waiting and uncertainty, I realized that nothing was inherently wrong. The real struggle comes from letting our minds race toward a bleak future or linger in past regrets. While it can be difficult to stay grounded during these times, the key lies in practice.

Commit to cultivating mindfulness in your life. With dedication and practice, you can transform how you handle setbacks, including unexpected technology failures.

Try my simple, free meditation program at davidgerken.net.