Hot Springs, NC. Eight months ago Main Street was underwater. Hurricane Helene tore up the eastern states, upending lives, businesses, and belief. But chaos isn’t just what breaks us. It’s what builds us. This is an inspiring, useful story of resilience, community, and choosing what’s possible.
The most destructive element, by far, was flooding. Here, the French Broad river and Spring Creek quickly breached their banks, sending flood waters to places not reached in over a 100 years. In North Carolina more than 100 people lost their lives. Thousands were devastated or displaced, losing power and water for weeks, and struggling to just find a way forward for their family, friends, and dreams.
My friend Philip and his wife Pascha own this place, the Artisun Cafe and Gallery, which was Hot Springs’ central spot for coffee, baked goods, ice cream, and art. But it was also the essential place people gathered to connect. Not only did the flood wipe out its contents, but also seriously damaged the infrastructure.
People couldn’t wait for rescue. So they rose to help each other. The community came together to salvage what they could, to organize and support relief efforts, and to be there for each other physically, emotionally, and totally. You see, being resilient isn’t about what you can do for yourself. It’s about who you can become for someone else.
As for Philip and Pascha, instead of ending their story, they chose higher ground. That’s the nick name of their new coffee shop, which works on so many levels, and it’s also symbolic of what it takes to survive destructive hardship. Higher perspective, higher principles, higher aims.
Events like this remind us: chaos doesn’t discriminate. And neither does resilience. It’s useful to see what the other side can look like less than a year later. Philip’s shop has been up and running three months now. They’re back to serving citizens, tourists, and hikers taking a needed break from the Appalachian Trail.
(Pascha Solomon:) When everything falls apart you really have to tap into what matters most. And that’s the people around you, the strength within you, and the courage to continue and to create something beautiful and new.
So if you’re navigating hardship right now—loss, fear, uncertainty: You’re not alone. And you can find your higher ground. Start where you are. Connect to community. And choose to create what’s now possible. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.
The audio for this week’s coaching video is located under the “Get Inspired” tab in the Positive Playlist . You can subscribe to the podcast and listen to other weekly messages for improving all aspects of your life.
