Life Lessons from Hurricane Helene: What a Storm Taught Me

Life Lessons in the Storm

For my readers, I apologize for the pause in posts, as I experienced the trauma of Hurricane Helene. As someone deeply embedded in the world of teaching and learning, I wanted to share some valuable life lessons that this unbiased act of nature taught me.

I was expecting a typical hurricane storm for Georgia—just a thunderstorm, some minor damage, and a sunny afternoon afterward. What I woke up to on Friday morning was catastrophic.

I was devastated by the destruction. A mix of guilt, anxiety, and complete confusion set in. With no power, low water pressure, no cell signal, and no way out of my neighborhood, I felt stuck in a “dark age” with my wife and my oblivious three-year-old. Despite a minor leak and a broken fence, our house was intact. One of my car’s tail light covers had been busted. As I ventured out and saw the widespread damage, I began to feel thankful for how fortunate we were. However, that quickly turned into guilt—a sense of survivor’s guilt. It didn’t feel right to be thankful when others’ homes and livelihoods around me had been destroyed. And on top of that, there was nothing I could do to help. I felt helpless.

I AM STUBBORN. I don’t like to ask for help, but it was—and still is—what I needed.

Five Life Lessons Hurricane Helene Taught Me

1. I am not indebted to others’ kindness.
In a moment of desperation, I set out to find a laundromat that was open and accepting card payments. After an unsuccessful attempt, I traveled across town to try another. When my card failed due to the internet being down, I was ready to give up. But as I walked out, a man called me back in, offering $10 for a load of laundry. I was floored by his generosity. This was the first time I humbled myself to accept help without the pressure of “paying it back.” Growing up, I was taught that kindness had to be reciprocated, but this experience showed me that receiving kindness doesn’t always require a “quid pro quo.” Sometimes, simply accepting help can be its own lesson in gratitude and humility.

2. Kids Do It Better.
My three-year-old had no idea what was happening and was blissfully oblivious to the chaos. As we huddled together during the storm, he wanted to play with his toys, eat his favorite snacks, and go outside—even among dangling power cords. His ability to find joy and trust that everything would be okay because Mommy and Daddy were around was an inspiration. Maybe we could all learn something from his carefree attitude and innate ability to live stress-free. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we could all use a little more trust in the present moment.

3. Stop Feeling Bad for Your Fortune.
My home was relatively untouched by the storm. While I felt blessed, the destruction around me made me feel guilty for being spared. It took me a moment to realize that I had done nothing to deserve my good fortune, just as those affected did nothing to deserve their misfortune. The randomness of life means that gratitude doesn’t have to be paired with guilt. Being thankful doesn’t diminish sympathy for others. Life is unpredictable, and we have to accept both the good and the bad as they come.

4. A Crisis Doesn’t Bring People Together, But It Should.
Crises like hurricanes are great equalizers. At the gas station or grocery store, no one cares about your social or political status. We connect over shared hardship. Yet, during this crisis, I also witnessed selfish behaviors: cutting in line, belittling others, and blaming the government. It made me wonder—why do we stop seeing each other as human? The storm reminded me that human connection is what we need most in times of crisis.

5. My Job Will Replace Me, But I Cannot Replace the Best Years of My Life.
As I reflect on the experience, I realize that work should not be all-consuming. While I’m not advocating quitting jobs, this storm taught me to reevaluate how I balance work and life. The best years of my life are spent with my family, not in a job that can easily replace me. Work should support life, not consume it.

Other Notable Lessons:

• I should probably invest in a toilet paper company at some point.
• My son REALLY loves the Prince of Egypt soundtrack.
• How to fill out a FEMA application.
• How my credit card reward points work—helped with the hotel!
• My car has a USB port that’s always active!

Hurricane Helene may have left its mark on the landscape, but the life lessons it imparted are those I’ll carry forward. Gratitude, resilience, and community—these are the lessons I’ll never forget.