It’s been a while since I’ve written, and I would have to say it’s a reflection of the summer of 2009. Over Labor Day weekend, I read a great article in the Wall Street Journal by Joe Queenan entitled “The Summer of our Discontent” (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204731804574391143289432918.html) where he talks about the summer of 2009 and overall a very uneventful summer, and in his words “Good Riddance.” It’s been a tough summer for many people I’ve talked with recently. Between a still very shaky economy, poor quarterly returns from most companies and higher unemployment, it’s not been what one call a stellar summer.
I know for me, it’s been a summer of even deeper reflection, questioning, and trying to understand what my place is in today’s marketplace. I’m sure that many people have felt this same struggle. Less and less business opportunities has forced each of us to examine even harder what is our direction and purpose in life.
All I can say is that for me, it’s a time of self-examination, deeper insight and reflection and looking for new and different opportunities. It’s interesting how even with many factors against us, we still strive to look for the positive moments in life and never give up hope. I think that’s the key, hope. I remember a very close friend of mine who he was in a hospice without much of a reality of getting better saying to me, “Once I get well, and out of here, let’s go to Hawaii.” His hope, dreams and belief in life were there until the day he died. I often remember his optimism in these days that test my endurance and belief in life. One thing we can be sure of is change, sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better. I’m starting to believe that after all we’ve been through it’s time to remember the message of “hope” and things do change and can get better.
