Unusual Times and the power of the Sun.

Last week was certainly an unusual one for folks living in Georgia. Many parts of Atlanta had record snowfall, which hung around for much longer than usual because of the prolonged sub-freezing temperatures. Then, after Sunday nights fresh snow, on Monday freezing rain/sleet arrived and added an icy glaze to our sparkling white world. The only thing that disappeared quicker than bread and milk was salt and sand. By Wednesday much of the fun/joy had gone from this experience and many started having "cabin fever" but due to the ice and snow clogging the roads, sidewalks and even lawns across Georgia folks just couldn't get out and move around anywhere. Shoveling was nearly impossible and the wind chills plus single digit temperatures did not help matters any at all. One interstate highway was closed for over 20 miles with solid traffic blocking every lane and exit ramp for over 24 straight hours.

Thursday a new day dawned and things started improving slowly. Sunshine showed up and temperatures warmed up so people were able to get out and start recovering. This started me to thinking about the one thing that had changed - Sunshine - it brightened the light and warmed our bodies as it warmed up the outside world. Suddenly, the world was back to alright again and things were looking up. Friday was a nearly normal day with schools still out, our postal service still ignoring their slogan by staying off the streets again, the trash service still not collecting, but many went to work in their businesses and life began to return to the city.

I began to think about the lesson to be learned from the "sunshine" experience. If something as simple as sunshine could change these frozen circumstances wouldn't it stand to reason that something simple and as available as sunshine could change our business circumstances? I believe we will see that begin to happen next week when we start our spring round of trade show meetings, beginning with the Surfaces Show in Las Vegas.

Surfaces is the first opportunity for most of us in 2011 to come out from hiding in the business world and look around to see what is new or changing in our industry. Oh, I realize that many will choose to ignore this opportunity and stay home and inside, but they will always be the ones that things "happen to" rather than the ones who "make things happen." My suggestion is that business people make the decision to open their minds and wallets, take the trip to Las Vegas, investigate what has changed and what is changing in our business world.

I'm really tired of hearing folks say: "I just can't afford it" when the reality is you can't afford NOT to be there. I remember the pain I felt just a few short years ago when I was laid off by one company and had nothing lined up for my future. Being unemployed I certainly "couldn't afford" to travel to a trade show but I did and somehow I ended up getting my current position with USG from that single step of faith. This morning I saw a wonderful thought that I want to close this blog with, and it is below.

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.

– H. L. Hunt

This triggered one other "favorite" of mine: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, TODAY IS A GIFT, that is why it is called "the present."

Choose wisely how YOU will use your gifts. You may want to evaluate, consider, and ponder these thoughts as you decide on how the sunshine will change your world.