My friend, Joannie, was diagnosed with breast cancer this spring. According to breastcancer.org, every three minutes a woman in the United States receives that diagnosis. Chilling statistics turn devastating when those statistics become personal. The good news for Joannie is that the cancer was found in time and, after a masectomy, she has been declared cancer free. She still faces several reconstruction surgeries but considers herself blessed and extremely fortunate. She’s a survivor. As she was telling me about the journey she’s been on for the past several months she was quick to give glory to God and praise to the medical staff who assisted her, with one exception. The doctor who first diagnosed her delivered the three words no one wants to hear–”You have cancer.” Those three words set off a flood of emotions and send the mind into dark places where angels fear to tread. As Joannie sat there stunned, the doctor explained that she would need to make an appointment… Read more
Posts Tagged mexico
Stick With a Winner
Aug 14
I recently made a trip to the DMV to renew my driver’s license. I could do an entire post on the joys of an hour spent at the DMV but let’s just say that if the people hanging out in that lobby represent a cross-section of American society, we have much bigger problems than $4/gallon gas. My visit was mind numbing (why didn’t I bring something to read?!!) until it was my turn to have my photo taken. I took my receipt and my soon-to-be expired license to the friendly man at the counter behind the camera. He glanced at the old license to verify that it was indeed me before he snapped the picture and then said, “Do you realize you’re wearing the same suit today that you wore for your picture four years ago?” I gasped and grabbed the old license out of his hand and, I’ll be damned, he was right! He consoled me with, “Well at least you’re wearing different accessories and I like your new hairstyle better.” Are you kidding me!? This had gone from an annoying errand to a critique of my… Read more
Interesting Times, Indeed
Jul 17
I have noticed lately that I’m hearing from a lot of candidates and clients who call just to “check in.” The conversation usually starts something along the lines of, “I just thought I’d check and see what you’re seeing in the marketplace.” More often than not, these calls are for the purpose of checking their perceptions about what’s happening in the market. Typically they are having a tough day and are seeking affirmation that they aren’t the only one getting their butt kicked out there. They’re feeling the pressure of an increasingly competitive and volatile market and they want to know they’re not alone. They’re not alone, but I’m not so sure that’s good news. May you live in interesting times is the English translation of an often repeated ancient Chinese proverb and curse. There is little doubt that the times in which we find ourselves are indeed interesting, but there is a companion proverb/curse that is less often quoted which is equally appropriate for the… Read more
