Every year, I take a business trip to sunny California for 5 days.
I love meeting with my customers. I love my industry. No joke.
I love my job.
So, everytime I go, I seem to learn something about myself and about others.
Here's what I learned.
First and foremost, PERSPECTIVE.
We are all the same.
I have been teaching kids that for years.
And I just realized it myself.
Shocking, I know.
Second, not everyone is as passionate about this industry as I am.
On Friday night, I went to the most epic concert of my lifetime.
Because some of these people are legends, idols, etc to me, there were some performances that moved me to tears.
I'm sure I looked like an idiot, but when music is good, that's what it's supposed to do. It's supposed to make you feel something.
That's what is missing in most music today.
I feel nothing but annoyed when Bieber sings. However, when Sarah McLachlan sings "I Will Remember You", you can't help but think of who she wrote that about. Was it about a lost love? A lost friend? A breakup? A death? All of those apply to all of us at one time or another. Music is supposed to make you feel. That's how you know it's good.
Third, I learned that I really don't like trumpets.
I listened to trumpets ALL DAY. For four days. And it's fine if they're playing a song.....but these wanna be Miles Davises were just testing mouthpieces and seeing how high their range was. Sheesh. Talk about migraines.
Fourth, Winter is simply not Winter without snow. I don't care what you say.
And fifth.
Not everyone is who you think they are.
This is more in depth than I feel comfortable going into on a blog, but I learned a few things about people.
For instance, I saw so many young women that were dressed inappropriately that were very nice, well mannered girls and yet, saw many women dressed in business suits that had no manners, no eloquence and no class. Don't judge that book by it's cover.
Also, you might think that you're a bad a#&, but you're not. You might pretend to be one, but you're still not. You're just an idiot with a foul mouth, a bad attitude and rude behavior, simply put.
And, if you're good to your customers, they're good to you. They are eventually just family. They are a part of your life and you welcome them into your world.
And lastly, it doesn't matter if you put effort into your relationships if they are only one sided. Being kind and considerate is all well and good, but if you keep getting stepped on, it's simply no longer worth the effort anymore. Why? Because you, too, are a child of God and deserve to be offered the same kindness that you offer to others. You don't deserve to be treated like garbage, left behind and disrespected. So, that's that.
Sixth. Being stuck in an airport for a total of 12 hours isn't so bad, as long as you are stuck with awesome people.
That is all.
And finally, the age old truth...
I have never been so happy to see a potato in my whole life.
Also, the minute I saw Tim and our pickup truck and snow, I burst into tears.
Seriously.
There's no place like home and there never will be.
