Your Career and You: "Count Your Blessings"

Over the past few weeks, I've witnessed or been involved in some life-altering events. Nothing, thank goodness, majorly traumatic. But things that really got me thinking about how lucky I've been throughout my life.

Wandered blithely through more than half a century doing stuff that I truly and deeply loved doing.

Met fascinating people along the way...Edward L. Bernays, Chester (Chet) Burger, President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan (none of whom, by the way, would have been able to or can tell you who I am!)...and had a chance to draw "teachable" moments from each. Great experiences!

Today, I teach undergrad public relations courses in the Communication Department at Curry College as a full-time faculty member, and graduate courses in the Organizational and Professional Communication area at Regis College as an adjunct faculty member. In both cases, I'm doing my dead-level best to give back some of what I've learned from my life's experiences... the good as well as the not-so-good (don't you love that "pr-speak" term for "BAD"?!?).

It's easier, sometimes, though, to focus on the things that have gone wrong or completely derailed in life than the really cool times.

> Got fired one time! (There's a milk-curdler!!)
> Almost got blown up one time...fortunately the bomb didn't go off. (Extra beer that night!)
> Been in a half-dozen major auto accidents. Except for an occasional ache from a once-broken rib, still walking...and driving!

The point is (somewhere!)...life sucks sometimes. But you can't let the negatives take over.

There is good in everyone's life. Even Joe Bfstplk from my childhood "L'il Abner" comics days had an occasional "not-horrible" experience.

But you have to look for the good sometimes. It's there, just coyly hiding under a pile of dirty socks or someplace equally "I don't wanna know"-ish.

> Maybe it's a casual exchange with a checkout clerk at the supermarket that makes you smile.
> Maybe it's watching your significant other's eyes glow with sheer joy because of a surprise gift.
> Or maybe it's just waking up and smelling the wonderfully clean, fresh morning air.

Whatever it might be, allow yourself to smile. Take a minute (or more) to simply let the good feeling wash over you.

> Yeah, there's still work to be done, and/or the client/boss is cranky.
> No, the phone hasn't rung today or the email hasn't arrived scheduling that job interview.

But...you're reading this, aren't you? So you're still alive and functioning.

That's a very good start. So count your blessings!

"For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." ~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, "Friendship"