Feeling Exceedingly Grateful

Last week was probably one of the most challenging weeks I've ever experienced. And as crazy it was, surprisingly, I am feeling grateful. Grateful that it's over!

The week was packed with back-to-back meetings and much to do on the home front and that is not so unusual. We are all dealing with trying to juggle work, family and social calendars. Midweek, I was one of a few producers on a huge event in the film industry. An event we have been planning for several months. And as all events go in the entertainment business, there is always so much stress and pressure leading up to the day of the event. Not to mention the immense pressure the day of the event.

We all deal with stress on the job. Whether it be a boss or someone we have to answer to. And others we feel responsible for, knowing that they are looking to up to us and counting on us to step up and lead if need be.

Except for a few snags that night, the event went well. Amazingly, we pulled it off and have received very favorable feedback from some of the attendees.

But, what I am most grateful for from this most recent experience is that I am learning that no matter how much stress and pressure one can be under, that it is in those moments, those opportunities, that we all have a choice. We can choose to allow ourselves to be overcome with worry and negativity OR we can face those stressful moments and say, "No, I'm going to keep my cool. I am going to stay focused. I decide how I should respond when things go awry. I won't let anyone take me where I don't want to go."

It works. It really works.

I have seen it happen before, be it in a business setting or at private event, in front of a crowd of people, where a person will snap, attack, criticize, blame, and just plain go off when things seem like they are falling apart. (Like last week at the event.) They take it out on everyone around them or anyone that they can make their scapegoat and in my opinion, that's taking the easy way out. That's way too easy. And it is these same people who will take ALL the credit when everything turns out well and make no effort to thank those who helped make it so. Sadly, we all know the type.

Well, as a wise old sage once told me, the real measure of a person's character is not how nice or cool people are when things are going well but rather how well do they respond when things aren't going so well.

No, I haven't mastered this level of coolness. I still have my moments. But, I am feeling exceedingly grateful and thankful that life is giving me MANY opportunities to put this teaching into practice. Almost too many.