A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-six

Day 146 - Ushering at a Band Concert

I admit I have not, historically speaking, been a huge fan of symphonic bands.  I normally prefer full orchestras.  But when Denny asked me if I could volunteer as an usher, I felt compelled to go.  We had been talking over coffee a few days before about things coming into our lives for a reason, so I went for it.

I was really impressed and surprised by a volunteer band.  I have few opportunities to enjoy live music, so when it’s good quality, it’s always a joy.

I was glad to have been of service to the group, which, in turn, entertained us brilliantly.  Would that life were like this all the time.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-five

Day 145 - New Plans

I like making new plans.  Sometimes the “old” ones don’t work.  Often, they don’t account for something unknown (how could they, right?).  And life always turns out differently anyway.

I still prefer to make plans - they help me focus my energies and attentions, and the anticipation of doing something I enjoy makes me feel good.  I am getting better at leaving the expectations somewhere in suspension, but I can set the direction to some degree.  It’s like the proverbial fork in the road - I get to choose which path to take.  And if I don’t like that path, I can choose another one as the choice comes up again.

I have broadened my networking plans to include Seattle recently, and I’m feeling re-energized about the process.  I have no idea at this point if it will lead to anything other than giving me a renewed sense of interest and purpose, and making plans for the trip north are helping me feel recharged.  I’m not trying to leave the area so much as to find more opportunities - I am enjoying many aspects of life in Portland, and very pleased to be happy here.  

It’s just nice, sometimes, to be able to mix things up a bit.  Making some plans is a good start.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-four

Day 144 - Managing Expectations

I had an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar today; when I made the appointment yesterday, I expressed my desire to speak with two specific people (both of whom she confirmed would be working).  I went in expecting to speak with either or both of them.  

I was disappointed.

I was reminded, naturally, of the quote I often give when teaching customer service courses - The difference between delighting and disappointing the customer is defined as the gap between what the customer expects and what he/she experiences.  I thought I had adequately explained to the young woman at the Apple Store who took my call what I expected, and when I arrived, I was addressed by an Apple “Genius” who wasn’t as personable or as helpful as the two I had asked to speak with.

My first inclination was to be upset.  Getting upset doesn’t help anything, though, so I took what he could offer in terms of help, and decided instead to come back at a later date when one of the two I wanted to talk to would be available.  I also thought back on the conversation I had when I set up the appointment, and I realized that while I had been clear on what I wanted, I did not ask her to confirm that she understood.  Instead, I should have asked her to repeat my request, and to be sure she would make the appointment I then expected to have.  It might have gone better had I managed the expectations better.

Lesson learned.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-three

Day 143 - Pressing Forward

I didn’t want to go.

I had a work-related networking meeting today, and I just didn’t feel like going.  I was thinking it would probably be a waste of time anyway, and I wasn’t into it.  I would rather go to the gym and work out my stress there.  I was feeling discouraged and frustrated, and couldn’t see how this meeting could possibly benefit me.

A dear friend told me I should go.  I need to go.  I’m so glad I listened.  Here was another moment when, as I spoke to people about employee engagement, I remembered that this is what I love to do.  This is who I am supposed to be.  I was SO glad I went, and grateful to my friend for encouraging me to press on.

And I might get some work from it - I am having coffee with one of the other attendees in a few days.  At least I’ll make a new friend.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-two

Day 142 - Seeing Progress In Others

I had a chance to have dinner with a fairly new friend.  He is going through a lot of significant changes in his life, and when we got together a couple months ago, things seemed to be weighing very heavily on him.  You could see it in his face, and hear it in his voice.  His eyes quietly spoke of his emotional fatigue.  

What a difference a day makes.  Well, sixty days.

Tonight, he is upbeat, lively, energetic.  His humor is on.  He looks great, and obviously feels great.  

He thanked me for the things I had said to him two months ago, and for the support I gave him.  While I was gratified to think I had helped, my first thought was “that’s what friends are for.”  It didn’t occur to me to do anything else.  I was delighted to see the improvement in his life, and all because he did what he needed to do, and allowed himself to be healthy in the process.  He did all the heavy lifting; I just offered a kind word.

Still, seeing his progress made me feel better about my own, even if I don’t see much.  I have to admit I’ve made some headway, and I’m reminded of it as I watch him thrive.

Happy news is happy for everyone.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty-one

Day 141 - Yoga

I had forgotten just how much I enjoy yoga.

I had planned to go two weeks ago, but I cut my thumb that afternoon and went to urgent care instead.  I have been looking forward to this class that much more ever since.

There is an amazing sense of peace in a yoga class.  I am not talking about the group exercise classes at the gym - I don’t equate those to the practice of yoga, though they may be using yoga poses.  No, I go to a yoga class to learn, not just exercise.

This class wasn’t as strenuous as I expected.  It was an hour-long class (some are 90 minutes) and I barely broke a sweat.  Yet afterward, I was exhilarated. There is something that happens in the mind, not just the body, in a good yoga class.  I need to do this more.

The instructor, Denny, came highly recommended, and shortly after the class began, I understood why.  

Thank you, Gary, for the recommendation; thank you, Denny, for an awesome class.  I look forward to my next opportunity to be there.

A Year of Gratitude - Day One Hundred Forty

Day 140 - Questions

I have heard people say from time to time how dogs are “better than people” - they are always happy, never complain or argue, come back to you even when you shout at them, and never question what you are doing or why you are doing it that way.  Sometimes I wonder if I should be more like a dog.  

Then I think of all the things I would never have learned if I hadn’t asked the questions.

I have a lot of questions.  Sometimes I have thought about asking a whole bunch of questions when I get to the pearly gates.  Sometimes I just want one big question answered.  Most of the time, I ask questions of others to learn things from them - why they are saying what they are saying, or what has started a current train of thought.  I enjoying asking the questions behind the questions so I can get a better understanding of what motivates.

Right now, I want to know why I am in the situation I am in; what is the bigger picture here?  What am I supposed to learn, and why is it taking so long?

At least I have enough of a mind to ask.  I can be grateful for that!