Crisis and Opportunity

"The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. So, in a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity."
— John F. Kennedy

It's a throw your shoulders back, hold your head high type of Monday. But, occasionally, I'll wake up and think, there is no way I can get everything I need to do done this week. But in my 30-year career, there has never been a week that I didn't hit 99% of all marks. I'm not perfect, but I understand how to get work completed to move on to the next task.

I've got a hectic week this week; two days I'm sitting in an eight-hour virtual class, have a lot of projects that I'm overseeing, helping my clients navigate their risk; I've got a lot going on. But I think I'm learning to thrive on chaos, and I can feel my mind being stretched.

We had a fabulous weekend, just my wife and I; the weather kept us home most of the time. We did something we never do; we laid on our beanbags and watched three movies. I worked a little in the morning; we did some laundry, had a little lunch, and then watched good cinema.

My wife made two soups: a lump crab white soup with bacon and a cabbage and sausage cajun soup. Since it's a winter wonderland outside, soup is a nice thing to have around, and when you live with an executive chef, you get the good stuff. I'm watching the sunrise as I type these words; the beauty of our world is astonishing; see if you can find beauty as you go about your day.

Checking in on the news, the Guardian has a piece on "Experts urge US cities and states to prep for future outbreaks as Omicron slows. They can't let it go, fear the future, or else. Who are the experts? Are these the same men and women that zigged when we should have zagged? I'm a little more skeptical of the "experts" now that I've lived through hypocrisy-filled two years. Do as we say, but not as we do.

Obviously, there is news in Ukraine, but I saw an interview with a young man that sums up how most of us are feeling. He shared he does not know what is going on, does not know what is right and what is left, hears so many stories, but since there is so much corruption in that part of the world, he is confused. He does not want to fight on foreign soil, but he will fight for his family and freedom if you invade his country.

It now seems Russia and China have formed a pretty solid pack; Russia switched their banking over to a China-based system. But, of course, there are other options when you lock a country out of your financial system. So we are headed into some exciting times; as the pandemic wanes, war drums are getting louder.

So what can we do? I suggest we work; work keeps us busy, allows for the economy to move along, we can all contribute using our gifts and talents and keep engaging with each other. Work hard, but play hard as well. Make sure you take time to enjoy your family and friends. Please don't pay too much attention to the news; at this point, it is difficult to determine what story is true and what is false. If you are looking for a reliable news source, find Breaking Points, they will give you the straight news without the spin. No matter how you feel these days, understand we are all in this together.

I'm going to work today; I'll clean my email inbox, work on a claim, make sure that I'm ready for a couple of days of class, and then jam on Thursday and Friday. I just noticed the temperature is 1 degree. I'll snap a photo of our winter wonderland; it's beautiful outside; I might see if I can get my wife into the hot tub this afternoon—nothing better than our hot tub on a freezing but beautiful day.

There you have it, the thoughts, ideas, and logic of a young boy born in the cornfields that now spends a fair amount of time on the top of a mountain with his wife and pup named Parker Van Halen. My mind is clean; my whiteboard is ready for a day of formulas, ideas, and action. I hope you are leaning into this world and seeing all the current opportunities. There has never been a better time to be alive despite the world events; throw your shoulders back, hold your head high, we got this.

"The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. So, in a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity."
— John F. Kennedy