Inner Whizdom

I was fortunate that the tragedies of 9/11 did not affect me personally.  I did not know anyone who died.  I’m assuming that’s why, 7 years later, I don’t have much personal connection to the date. My heart goes out to those who lost family and friends and their lives, and I honor those who are in service to our country (even though I disagree strongly with the administration).

There was a sign in my office yesterday that said, “Remember 9/11 and never ever forget.” I’m not sure what I’m supposed to remember. That extremists committed terrorist acts? That thousands lost their lives for no reason?

I don’t want to feel pain and fear every September 11th. I don’t want to put those thoughts out. How can I use this rememberance to serve love and bring peace?

I’ve been thinking about why I admire my friend Anna Forbes so much. I think it’s because she doesn’t worry about making a fool of herself.  She doesn’t let the fear of foolishness limit her. Therefore she lives a very large life.  She doesn’t make any more blunders than those of us who tread carefully. And any embarrassing moments are quickly forgotten. Anna models fearlessness magnificently. I want to be like her.

My heart is full.  My best friend from high school surprised me and came to hear my concert last night. She and her husband were vacationing nearby.  It was such a pleasure to reconnect. I’d always wanted them to meet Michael but I’d never make him go to a reunion. This was perfect and everyone got along.

I admire this woman, Anna Forbes. She’s the deputy director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides and she works tirelessly to prevent HIV/AIDS around the world. I’m so glad to know her and to reconnect.

I’m on the receiving end of some predatory practices from Bank of America. Apparently they weren’t making enough money off of me so they tripled my APR because my payment was 2 days late.

I am fortunate that I have some options. Through some finagling I can close my account and never do business with them again. But I got a taste of the despair I’d feel if I were not able to tell them to shove it.

Shame on you decision makers at BoA. You don’t need to do business this way.

I woke up Saturday morning and couldn’t wait any longer. I am grateful to our visiting guests for their forbearance as I disappeared for 4 hours.

I drove to the Holyoke Mall Apple store– about an hour and a half away. There I had the customer service experience I’d been hoping for. Thank you Frank.

I managed to let it out of my hand during the performances over the weekend.

And Liz and her iPhone lived happily ever after. The End.

I had another frustrating interaction today about my non-happening iPhone.   There doesn’t seem to be any way to make it happen because I live in the boonies and the business model requires that customers go only to certain stores (2 hours away that won’t hold a product until I get there).

As I sat here trying to choke down the tears, and vowing to never do business with still another establishment because of the way they treated me, it occured to me that I have choice about the way I’m feeling about this.  Getting upset today for something that may or may not happen in the future is really a waste of time. I surrender my attachment.

24 hours after I left the message at the AT&T store asking them to call, so I wouldn’t have to drive there for no reason, the manager returned my call. I got to dump all of my frustration, and bless his heart, he took it.

That felt really good.

F**k AT&T. They almost sucked all the joy out of my iPhone experience.

After counting down the 28 days since they announced the new iPhone, periodically visiting the website and getting deeply excited about this upcoming purchase, I awoke on this beautiful morning feeling great. I would drive the 60 miles to the nearest iPhone retailer after work.

I had called 3 weeks ago to reserve one and the guy said not to worry because they were getting enough and wouldn’t run out.

I called all afternoon to make sure I wasn’t driving so far in vain. They didn’t answer their phone at the AT&T store. I left a message asking them to call me if they ran out so I wouldn’t make the trip.

I entered the store in a good mood and the salesman was unbelievably rude. Sure he was tired and fed up from a tough day, but MAN I wish I didn’t have to do business with them. Okay, I wasn’t going to get my phone, but he added insult to injury with his crappy attitude.

I didn’t take his word that the entire state, if not the eastern seaboard, was sold out. I called around to every other store within a day’s drive. At least they answered their phones. Though still wireless phone sales guys they were better than the jerk in Manchester.

I drove home. I thought maybe I could order one online or over the phone from the Apple retailer that’s 2.5 hours away, and have them mail it. Nope. You have to actually go into a store.

But at least the guy at the Apple store was a nice human being. Thank you Ryan. I will go out of my way to buy my iPhone from you. You gave this almost a happy ending.

I’m counting the minutes until I buy my iPhone.  They’ve been on sale for an hour now but I can’t leave until after work.  How will I bear it?

(This appeared in the Career Management Alliance newsletter on 6/30/08)

When I was coaching full time, a main staple of my practice was people who wanted to transition out of dead end jobs. In many cases they had waited until they were truly miserable before calling. I love helping them find their way out of a bad situation and start to thrive.

When I sat down today to write the E-Bridge I looked up the Declaration of Independence (to be timely), and I was struck by the similarity of the situations– a workplace or government that had become intolerable.

It states, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

While I don’t recommend that employees overthrow management, I do advocate a strong feeling of empowerment. It is a person’s right and duty to stop suffering the insufferable.

I hope you all have a powerful and glorious Fourth, and pursue (and catch) some happiness.