The Blackout. Off the Grid.

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In April of last year I woke up to electricity, water and and cellular. We were back on the grid after almost a full day of a blackout in Portugal and Spain. What made it tense is initially having no way of knowing what happened. Especially with all the unrest in the world.

As the day went on and we talked to a few people, they were just dealing with the situation as Portuguese do. It takes quite a bit to freak them out.

It was a long day.

Fortunately we had food, bottled water and a puzzle to keep us busy. Plus a nearby restaurant that was open and serving Gelato.

Work, which didn’t happen, was par for course and just reminded me how some of us so much depend on being connected.

One particular thing that I thought of that day, and especially since then, is what I have heard from creators and other guests on our podcast.

What was the most important thing I learned?

During the day I thought about this tiny experience of a blackout. Very, very tiny. It made me even more empathetic to those across the world that deal with this regularly, and it is part of their lives. And especially those in war where it’s only part of the tragedy.

Often someone may need to change their recording date due to a blackout. Others avoid certain times of the day primarily as there is a continued blackout.

It makes me recognize how strong and resilient so many of those that I know are as they keep building things, creating content and learning. And that makes me happy to know those who are.

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