The weatherman looked at the radar and said that he suspected that the severe weather was over. Two minutes later the tornado sirens went off. The tornado did not listen to what the weatherman had to say.

January brings images of snow covered fields and crystals hanging gracefully from the porch. People pull out their heavy coats, mittens and scarfs. Except sometimes the weather does not look at the calendar and January brings spring weather warm enough for sun bathing and blossoming flowers.

Predicting the weather can be a lot like trying to determine how a toddler will behave when he is excited or tired - there is NO predicting that.

Storms will come in life just like they do in the seasons. The sky may seem clear and all the data may say that sunny days are ahead, but then that unexpected happens and throws all of those predictions out the door.

Stop trying to predict the storms and remember that survival is part preparation and part attitude.

Tips for Surviving the Unexpected Storms

1. Have an emergency kit. Preparing for the life storms requires a source of money for those unexpected incidences. Start saving money for those rainy day situations so that the unexpected does not succeed in throwing your whole life off balance.

2. Develop a survival attitude. No matter how bad the storms are when they are around those storms HAVE to pass. Start looking for the rainbows even while the rain still pours down. Some of the most amazing views come at the edge of the storm and not after the all clear has been sounded.

3. Prepare a written plan. Write out what steps should be taken in the event of an emergency. Make people that you know and trust aware of those written plans. Keep a copy of the plans in a place that is easy for you, or one of those trusted individuals, to access. Being able to follow a guide will make it easier to get through the storms.

4. Set up a support system. It is even a wise idea to have a phone chain and a way to get connected with people close to you when normal connections are down. These systems will help give you the support and comfort you need when the unexpected storm hits with a force that knocks you out for a few days (or weeks).

5. Listen to the experts, but know that even experts are not perfect. They can only go by what experience or classes taught them. Sometimes the unexpected refuses to fit into those boxes.

6. Find peace in the storm. Once you have done all that you can do then you have to make the decision to rest and relax knowing that you have done it. You will never be able to do more than you can do and fretting over that issue will only make it harder to do what you can do.

You will never be able to predict the storms. The right skills and experience can help you be more prepared to expect that storm, but sometimes the expected storm passes over without even a drop of rain.

Kathryn Lang works as an author, inspirational speaker and columnist. You can follow her blogs by visiting www.kathrynlang.com. You can also contact her about speaking with your group or working on your project through her website or by emailing kathrynlang@kathrynlang.com. She looks forward to hearing your comments and views about living a purposeful passion.