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Dec
16
Written by:
Damian Gomes
12/16/2008
Dear Friends,
Sub-prime mortgage meltdown, foreclosures, Wall Street bail-outs, frozen credit, forced mergers of once-proud companies, bankruptcies, millions of job losses and more to come, 401ks and stock options disappearing, house values dropping, U.S. autos on the ropes...okay, we get it! This is a test! A big test!
If we were to assess the current world economy in weather terms, it would be a perfect storm of class 5 hurricane force (or typhoon for our Far East clients). We all get the chance to see what we are made of when tests come our way. Hopefully, we won't make foolish fear-driven decisions, even when the wind is blowing in our face at gale force.
Sometimes the tests are painful, and things can sure look bleak in the moment, but usually we will look back at these times and learn that we grew the most as human beings in the testing periods of our life. We don't tend to grow much in the comfort zone, with gentle winds at our back. We can actually use the tempests to intentionally grow our strength.
Remember Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump? Forrest was at the wheel of their shrimp boat when the fierce hurricane hit. Lieutenant Dan, missing both legs from a Vietnam War injury, was up in the crow's nest with the winds blowing at monsterous levels, screaming at God, "Come on! Is that all you've got?" After the storm, Forrest reflected that the giant storm helped Lieutenant Dan make his peace with God. He used the storm to face his weaknesses. He was transformed and good things started happening to him. When we are challenged the most, we can find a new perspective. Following real-life market meltdowns and job losses, markets - and people - usually recover and strengthen in the end. How much we strengthen is up to us.
When there are more excesses in the system, a bigger correction is necessary to return to balance. Few would argue that the world got too caught up with money and wealth. This economic "hurricane" can return us all to what is truly important. We can always make more money, if that is important to us, but we can't replace how we're spending our time, or the real sources of our joy.
In the end, when people have their real-world epiphanies about the meaning of life, the answer is always about family, love, relationships, and time well spent. Have you ever heard a story, real or fictional, wherein the hero wakes up to realize that the answer was more money and possessions?
As we enter the year-end holiday season, we aim to pause and reflect on how we are living and honestly and courageously choose to live even more in ways that mirror our deepest core values. How can we resolve to change areas that are out of balance? Let's commit to tell our loved ones how we feel about them, bring our best to our leadership and teamwork roles, and take more time to live like human beings versus "humans having" or "humans doing".
In short, let's take time to tell people how much we appreciate them. Let's live life in a way that acknowledges that we're all in this together and really help each other through the tough times. It's sad to see so many people in companies in fear and pain as their firms contract, silently suffering. Why not reach out and share with each other?
We certainly appreciate you, our clients and friends. We care about you as people and realize and respect that you can go anywhere you want for self and organizational development. We aim to serve in a manner that earns your trust for years to come. We look forward to facing the hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, you name it with you, since we're all in this together. We're also okay with the years of relative ease!
From all of us at Stop At Nothing, thank you for our relationship. We wish you the very best for the holidays, whatever your faith and worldview may be. We wish for you to come through the tempest stronger than ever and for your life to be whatever you really want it to be. We hope you can maintain your inner peace no matter what the external forces. We hope you can create the life of your dreams, living intentionally going forward.
Let's all relish the year-end pause that refreshes, enjoy the love of family and friends, and prepare to make a positive difference again in 2009 and beyond. It's all such an adventure!
Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!
Barry
We invite you to share your comments with us.
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11 comments so far...
Re: Weathering The Storm
Barry, thanks for your note. Tomorrow is another day. A day only we can make better. While reading your note I kept thinking about a Poem I noted. I included it in this e-mail for you. Share it as you feel lead.
Here is to a great 2009!
Tom Holland
Poem from a School Teacher
A poem from an Elementary School teacher as she dealt with a little boy who had messed up his school work.
The teacher said:
He came to my desk with a quivering lip, the lesson was done.
HAVE you a new sheet for me dear teacher I’ve spoiled this one.
I took his sheet all soiled and blotted,
gave him a new one all unspotted,
and unto his tired heart I cried,
do better now my child.
I went to the throne with a trembling heart,
The day was done,
Have you a new day for me Dear Master I’ve spoiled this one,
He took my day all spoiled and blotted,
Gave me a new one all unspotted,
And into my tired heart he cried,
Do better now my child.
By Thomas Holland on
12/16/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Barry, thank you for your words.
Thomas, the poem is amazing. Thanks for sharing!!
By Adriana Rivera, Amex Mex on
12/16/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Thanks for the message. Lots of good will come of this time. I appreciate being on your mailiing list.
By Marcia Norment, Imagine Schools on
12/16/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Barry, I appreciate your message and wise words. I couldn't thank you or everyone on the Stop at Nothing staff enough for the support and love everyone has provided throughout 2008. I'm honored to call you my friends. Here's to an amazing 2009!!
By Rodney Merchant on
12/16/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Rodney said it best, the support, love and deep caring from you, Su and all of the Stop At Nothing team has made a difference in so many lives this year. It has been a pleasure to work wth you and an honor to call you a friend. If there is anything I can ever do to help you all out, including a tour of the windy city when you are in chicago, please let me know! Have a wonderful holiday!
By Rob Mockard on
12/16/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
This message could not have come at a better time. Thank you Barry for reminding me and many others that I am in total control of what really matters to me! Thanks to you and Su for all the wonderful life secrets that you have given to me, and with that blessing, I am passing it forward.............
Take Care, and keep on keeping on!
By Kara Walker Wachovia Bank on
12/17/2008
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Thank you for such encouraging words.
By Cory Holmes, CSX on
1/13/2009
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Re: Weathering The Storm
Barry, why are you pretending to be a "lifelong Republican" in your letters to the editor of the Jacksonville Times Union? You're no lifelong Republican. You're no Republican, period. Never have been. Pretty juvenile for a grown man like yourself to act that way, and dont try to deny you're a Democrat. You're not fooling ANYONE with your silly charade.
By Barry the Pretend Republican on
3/9/2009
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Re: Weathering The Storm
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