Just about everyone has heard the admonition, usually attributed to the Chinese: "May you live in interesting times."

It seems lately that our interesting times come not so subtly, like the gradual integration of cable TV, cell phones, and the Internet into our culture, as dramatically: 9-11, Hurricane Katrina, the global economic crisis.

With each of the latter, some huge segment of society, is stunned by the moment, as if history itself reared up, punched each in the jaw and, momentarily at least, dropped us to our knees. (I'm talking figuratively, of course; at my age, if I drop to my knees, I'm not sure I'm getting back up again.)

These major interruptions in the routine of life force us to adapt or perish. I remember well life in Florida after a hurricane. Once we emerged from our homes to assess the damage, we were forced to try to run our businesses with no phones and no electricity until repairs were made. I remember talking to friends and business associates as they waxed philosophic about what a profound impact this would have on how they viewed their own lives and what they saw as important.

Slowly, after days, weeks, even months, the phones began to ring, business activity rose close to pre-hurricane levels, and the resolutions to become different-if not better-human beings were forestalled. Hey, we were busy implementing a recovery, right?

Now the whole world is experiencing the shock and awe of a global financial crisis. Every day brings another phone call or e-mail from a colleague who has lost his job and may be in danger of also losing his home and retirement investments. Careers, and lives, again have been turned upside down. Some negatively affected are taking an aggressive approach-pounding out resumes while exploring some form of self-employment-while others have opted to curl up in the fetal position hoping someone will let them know when it is over.

Acknowledging the truth to the old adage, "It's a recession when someone else loses his job and a depression when I lose mine," I'll risk suggesting to all, however the current fiscal crisis has affected you, that times will get better. That's the good news. As for the bad news, when these bad times are behind us, something else will come out of left field to once more derail our routines and shoot our stress levels through the roof.

So here is a suggestion from Uncle Harvey whose qualifications simply are that I've lived through more challenges than I care to remember:

While I cannot predict what impact any challenges will have on you, I do know that each of us has the power to control how we react to them. I know of one couple whose husband lost his job recently. His wife said it is a disguised blessing, since he will have a few months to enjoy time with their daughter before she starts preschool. Confident they will figure a way out of their plight, they are learning to enjoy the moment.

Summer is coming. The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Stop and smell those proverbial roses. Learn from this latest burp in our society. If you are employed and still okay, you can still make a change for the better. Have more patience with your patients and staff who might be facing stresses at home. Hold a door for someone. Share a smile and a laugh. Pick up the phone when it rings, don't let everything go to voice mail, and say hello to a fellow human being once in a while.

Some situations are beyond our control. They just have to play out. But our attitude is something we do control. Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

I think I'll start right now. The chimes on the ice cream truck are getting louder, my grandkids deserve a treat just 'cause they're my grandkids, so I'm going in search of the perfect Popsicle.

If you can't change the situation, change your attitude.