IT TOO WILL COME BACK

Upon returning home from a trip to NYC post Hurricane Wilma we were surprised to find our backyard in shambles. Many large trees that lined the banks of the canal came down. They lay like large Lincoln Logs randomly distributed on our roof, in our pool, and across the yard. They brought down our pool enclosure which was on the deck and in the pool. The pool itself looked like a huge test tube growing bacteria and algae. Some trees showed half exposed roots. Bare tree limbs looked naked in the light of day. By the time the bobcats left no grass was visible. The sprinkler pipes sat above ground and looked like skin cut open exposing arteries and veins.

Eleven thousand dollars later, a crew of ten men and three bobcats had cut and neatly stacked all the wood in front of our house. It reminded us of a Northern winter scene where piles of snow from streets and driveways were piled in front of the homes and apartment buildings. In both cases there was a delay in trucks arriving to cart the stuff away. Each home had its wood stacked so high that if you stood in the street you couldn’t see the house.

Time and some insurance money, similar to a stimulus package, have totally rehabilitated our yard. I sit here now on a sunny and breezy Sunday morning writing this blog. The pool has been rebuilt and boasts a fountain. New tan pavers cover over the beat up chattahoochie and look lovely and updated. All of the barren trees have leaves and new landscaping offers a finishing touch over a carpet of restored green grass. The sprinkler pipes are, once again, invisible.

Our backyard and neighborhood were restored and even improved upon. This is a metaphor for our current economic situation. In time, it too will come back. Life appears to be a series of growth spurts and push backs—a building up and a tearing down and a building up again. Important is that we survive the downward cycles. As important is that we learn from them. I hope you commit to doing that. That is precisely what I was saying yesterday.

Bye For Now,

Bill

williampenzerphd.com
954 475 1371 x 301
561 361 1898 x 301

THE EXPERIENCE OF LEARNING

Those nations, families and individuals who don’t learn from their experiences are undeniably destined to repeat the positive and not so positive over and over. Ultimately, the negative corrodes the positive and destroys it.

Those who do learn are destined to grow stronger and healthier, creating positive cycles instead of vicious ones.

I once asked Jim Moran if he could share any secrets to his unique and multiple successes. He responded, “I have made many mistakes, Bill, but I have only made them once.” Clearly he practiced learning from his experiences which is why his motto was, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.”

Now is an important time for us to prepare for the future by learning from our past experiences. Adaptation and change are the byproducts of learning that allow us personal growth and recovery from any challenge we face.


Bye For Now,


Bill

williampenzerphd.com

954 475 1371 x 301
561 361 1898 x 301

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