Last weekend, my wife and I were invited to a wedding for two of our good friends, Coni and Jeff. We have worked together, traveled together, and have been in each other’s lives for the past 16 years. They have been a couple for a long time, so their wedding was a truly glorious celebration. We were honored to be invited to spend their special day with them.
For those that know our family, know that Sharon and I also courted for a pretty long time before we got married. So we have that in common with Jeff and Coni as well. Their nuptials led me to think back at how Sharon and I had met, dated, then not dated, then dated again, then moved to Arizona, then got married, then tried to start a family on our own, then adopted Brock……
It has been quite a journey, that many of you have ridden along shotgun with us.
After Coni and Jeff’s great weeding, I started reflecting back on my pathway so far and at 55 years old, where it leads next. I had the same thoughts for Jeff and Coni. All these years, the ups and the downs, the twists and turns, and what great things are in store for them as well.
In this world where we want everything NOW, a few thoughts on the process that is everyone’s life journey……
Most of the time, it all doesn’t come to you right away. Victory (whatever that means to you) takes time. Had Shaon and I been married early in our relationship, we would have never received the blessing that is our son Brock, and our lives would be totally different today. Have patience, it is all out in front of you.
There is a plan for all of us (and for the organizations we lead). Sounds cliché but it’s true. When something happens that you don’t understand, there is something better in the works. I have numerous examples of that in my life and career, and I believe this to be a core tenet of our journeys together.
If things are off and you can’t “fix” it right now, set that aside and invest in others. As we have said many times, as bad as you think you have it, there are millions of other people (and organizations) that would trade places with you right now. So when the chips are down, make someone else’s life better. A small gesture is all it takes to change someone’s (or some organization’s) trajectory. These small investment opportunities are all over the place if you look for them.
As the Christmas season is upon us, look for places to invest in yourselves, your organizations, and when possible, in others.
Have patience. We are all in this together.
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