You Do What You Have To Do

As I sewed ribbon straps on an otherwise strapless dress for my daughter to wear for a performance (I am by no means a seamstress, but you do what you have to do), I found myself thinking about just that--doing what you have to do.
 
In terms of costumes, that is my normal m.o.--starting with what we have, and working from there. While it is not always the popular choice (who wouldn't want something brand new instead?), and while it doesn't always work (sometimes no amount of trying can allow you to adapt anything from the 21st century to look like something from the 17th century), starting from there saves enough money and running around time to allow for other options when you need them.
 
Doing what you have to do, however, is about more than using basic sewing skills to solve a costume problem. Each day, we face situations that fall outside of our normal routine. Whether it's a bus that doesn't come, or a paycheck that is late, a homework assignment discovered at the last minute or dinner that needs to be created from what's in the fridge, we are constantly called upon to adapt, to do what we have to do. We could stand in the cold, stubbornly waiting for (and perhaps cursing) the late bus, but instead, we try another form of transport. We could panic about the homework (and maybe we do), but instead, we manage to pull it off. And even if it's spaghetti surprise (yikes, spaghetti surprise!), we make that work too.
 
In the end, life is a little about what happens to you, but a whole lot more about doing what you have to do to handle it. Whether it's improv sewing or redefined descriptions of ourselves, spaghetti surprise or new paths explored, there is always something to be done if you're willing to do what you have to do. I suspect that the most successful people among us do just that--do what they have to do. And in the end, they make life just follow along.